Delta 2.0
The Delta variant now accounts for most infections in the United States, and it’s causing new outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates. For example, In Florida, which has a lower vaccination rate than the national average, COVID cases nearly tripled from June to July. Some other states affected with worsening infection rates are Georgia, Louisiana, Idaho, and Wyoming. The U.S has no shortage of vaccines, simply millions of people with no interest in taking them. Unfortunately, the Delta variant may not be the only variant coming our way. In fact, more variants could be coming, and they could be even worse. So far, we have seen the “UK” or alpha variant, the beta variant, the gamma variant, and most recently the delta variant of COVID.
You may be wondering? Why have I only heard of one of these? Or at least not all of them? Well, that’s because not all variants are made equally, some are not much worse than the original (sometimes even weaker), while others, specifically with more transmissibility, are much more dangerous and can spread to more people. The Delta variant, which already has a viral load 1,000 times higher than the original COVID strain, has upended the response to COVID and caused cases to skyrocket compared to after the vaccine had just come out. It almost seems as if we’re back where we started with new cases approaching nearly 100,000 per day, exceeding the level of transmission last summer before vaccines were available. Dr. Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the president, has predicted that new case totals of the delta variant could reach somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 cases per day. He has also warned that if another variant comes, we would be “in trouble”. What do you think about a new variant coming? And could the markets handle it?
I am not a financial advisor and my comments should never be taken as financial advice. Investments come with risk, so always do your research and analysis beforehand.
