MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As we move through Christmas week, it’s important that we assess where we stand in the continuing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is, we are in much better shape than this time last year. But we are far from declaring mission accomplished.
The COVID case count is edging up slightly as we still face the unknown with the emergence of the omicron variant. But our biggest problem continues to be not enough people getting vaccinated. The latest data shows that just over 49% of Shelby County residents are fully vaccinated. And that number goes down when you factor in booster shots.
Statewide, only about 50% are fully vaccinated. And that’s simply not going to cut it if we ever hope to get past the danger zone. I still say a big part of the problem in Tennessee has been state elected officials who played politics and have done more to hurt the fight against COVID than to help it.
Believe me, I get it. We are all tired of COVID. We’re certainly tired of wearing masks and many of us have stopped doing so. But COVID is not tired of us.
The virus has claimed some 2400 lives in Shelby County. And the only certain way to reverse our current upward trend of cases is to get vaccinated. In fact, it would make the perfect Christmas gift to yourself.