This study examines differences in COVID-19 infection, death, and testing by governor party affiliation across 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. From June through December 2020 Republican-led states had higher disease incidence (RR=1.10, 95% PI=1.01, 1.18); higher COVID death rates (RR=1.18, 95% PI=1.02, 1.31).
Conclusion: Gubernatorial party affiliation may drive policy decisions that impact COVID-19 infections and deaths across the U.S.
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Neutralizing Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants After Infection and Vaccination
This study found neutralizing activity of infection- and vaccine-elicited antibodies against 4 SARS-CoV-2 variants, including B.1, B.1.1.7, and N501Y. The these results suggest that infection- and vaccine-induced immunity may be retained against the B.1.1.7 variant.
Interestingly, the study also found that antibody titers for participants that received the mRNA vaccine were higer than persons with a previous natural infection.
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Upcoming Webinar Series: COVID-19 Vaccination and Reaching People with Disabilities
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and NACCHO are hosting a webinar series on strategies to prioritize people with disabilities in the COVID-19 vaccination effort. Each session is from 1-2 p.m. ET. (10am – 11am AZ time).
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March 30: Navigation: Promising practices for scheduling and transporting persons with disabilities to COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Register here.
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March 31: Consideration: Promising practices for vaccinating family members of persons with disabilities and those who are homebound. Register here.
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April 7: Communication: Promising practices for reducing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and disseminating accessible messages. Register here.
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April 8: Prioritization: Promising practices for educating others about the importance of disability prioritizing in state vaccination plans. Register here.
