Avoiding Potential Exposure to the Delta Variant

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It’s no secret that COVID-19 poses a very real threat. With over four million COVID-related deaths worldwide, it behooves all of us to adopt safety measures against the novel coronavirus. Unfortunately, the refusal of millions of people to get vaccinated coupled with the staggering number of COVID-19 infections has given rise to multiple variants of the aforementioned virus. Currently, the Delta variant, which is even more infectious and deadly than standard COVID-19, accounts for the bulk of new infections. Given how much harm Delta is actively causing, it behooves every safety-conscious individual to take the following measures to prevent potential exposure.

Getting Vaccinated Forthwith  

Unless you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe for you to receive vaccines, you have no excuse for not getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available throughout the U.S. are highly effective at preventing serious and fatal cases of the novel coronavirus and the Delta variant. As is the case with all viruses and vaccines, breakthrough infections are possible. However, if you do develop a breakthrough case, being fully vaccinated dramatically diminishes your odds of winding up in this hospital or dying. As of July 21, unvaccinated individuals make up 99% of COVID-19 deaths, so if you’re currently on the fence about the effectiveness of vaccines, this should clear up any lingering doubts. 

No matter where you’re based, finding a place to receive your vaccine shouldn’t prove challenging. Medical centers and pharmacies all across the country are administering vaccines free of charge, so no one can use lack of accessibility as an excuse. Furthermore, since getting vaccinated won’t cost you anything, affordability needn’t be an issue, either.  

Running Errands Remotely 

Venturing into crowded public spaces during an active pandemic comes with quite a bit of risk. This is particularly true in areas with relaxed – or outright repealed – masking rules. So, if you don’t wish to risk potential exposure to the Delta variant, why not take care of certain errands remotely? For example, many grocery stores are now offering free curbside pickup, meaning you can purchase all your food online and retrieve it all in one go. Many restaurants are doing the same, so if you’re fond of ordering takeout, you needn’t worry about getting out of your vehicle. 

You can also seek medical advice online and communicate with doctors remotely. Provided the issue you’re dealing with doesn’t require in-person attention, you may want to consider having your next medical consultation over the web. Additionally, if there’s a prescription you need refilled, you may be able to get an online doctor prescription.    

Masking Up in Public 

At this point, it can’t be denied that relaxing and repealing masking rules was premature. Although this was done to incentivize people to get vaccinated, it essentially had the opposite effect. Rather than provide the intended incentive, it simply gave the people who never took this pandemic seriously free license to remove the masks they never wanted to wear in the first place while also refusing to get vaccinated. 

Masking is highly effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19, and even if you’re fully vaccinated, it will provide you with an additional layer of protection against the Delta variant. If the vast majority of us were vaccinated, removing our masks would probably be more feasible, but as things stand, you’d do well to continue masking up   

Refusing to Congregate with Unvaccinated Individuals 

If someone still isn’t vaccinated by this point, it’s a safe bet that public health simply doesn’t concern them. Aside from trying to point these individuals in the right direction, there isn’t much you can do to influence their actions. However, while you may be powerless to control their behavior, you have full control over your own decisions – and refusing to congregate with unvaccinated individuals (thereby validating their reckless behavior) is among the best choices you can make for the continued health of yourself and your loved ones.   

After living with the active threat of the novel coronavirus for over 18 months, many of us are understandably hoping that the pandemic soon reaches an end. While the arrival of effective – and easily accessible – vaccines is certainly a step in the right direction, vaccine-deniers have once again placed the rest of us in an unenviable position. Thanks to their dangerous behavior, the Delta variant (among other variants) is infecting – and killing – adults and children all over the country. To help yourself and your loved ones avoid potential exposure to Delta, make use of the pointers discussed above.