Cutting Through the Noise on COVID-19 and Vaccines

Will Flanders and Rick Esenberg:

In the modern information environment, it is challenging to find any source of objective information. On no issue is this more true than with the COVID-19 pandemic. On one side are those wedded to “the science” until it disagrees with their preconceived notions about what policy ought to be. On the other side are those who, rightfully skeptical of government, reject most all information that makes the case that COVID-19 is still a major problem. We are a polarized country and the most engaged people tend not to want to hear – or reward – nuance. But there are times when a rigorous examination of the facts compels a nuanced conclusion. Let’s take a look at the most recent COVID numbers in Wisconsin.

  1. Vaccines DO provide protection

Some have noted that the data shows coronavirus rates are increasing most rapidly among the vaccinated. This is true, but what does it mean? It is still the unvaccinated that are driving the continuance of the pandemic. Recently, the Department of Health Services put out a chart that shows the rate of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among the vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts in the state. That chart is reproduced below.