Updated: 10/06/2021
Commercial fishermen take a calculated risk every time they pull away from the dock. They are constantly assessing the potential for bad weather, the potential for the boat and crew to return safely, and the potential for a good catch and a good price.
A couple weeks back, we had a conversation with a physician friend about personal risk related to getting COVID-19. The long and short of it was that it’s nearly impossible to quantify personal risk because it’s based on your actions and the actions of people around you. If you engage in a risky behavior in a risky environment, your personal risk of infection increases. In fact, your personal risk can vary throughout the day, depending on what you are doing and where.
So how do you assess your personal risk of getting sick or worse? Here are a few figures about COVID-19 in the U.S. to plug into your personal risk assessment.
43,051,429 infected with the virus
12.9% of the U.S. population has been infected
1 in 8 infected
2,988,684 hospitalized with COVID-19*
At least 6.9% of infections have resulted in hospitalization
1 in 3 infections may result in potentially disabling, long-term conditions
While you’re at it, here are some facts about getting fully vaccinated.
Reduces the risk of infection by 5x
Reduces the risk of hospitalization by 10x
Reduces the risk of death by 10x
391,152,574 doses administered
Only 2-5 people per million have an allergic reaction to any vaccine
Other adverse reactions are very rare.
Vaccination may reduce the risk of long-term symptoms and disability
So, how lucky do you feel? It’s pretty clear that as the pandemic progresses, your risk of becoming infected increases, if you are unvaccinated. It’s also clear that the vaccines are safe and effective. So take a calculated risk on getting vaccinated. Find your vaccination and Catch Fish. Not COVID.
*This number only includes hospitalizations since August, 1, 2020 when consistent reporting began. It is certain to under reports the actual number of deaths since the pandemic arrived in the U.S. in early 2020.