On CNN they were discussing a drop in new covid cases in the UK, and are trying

[JohnSJ]

to determine whether this is a trend or not.

One thing pointed out though was the UK doesn't have the anti-vaxer movement that is occurring in the U.S., and the speculation was that could be a factor

[LisaL]

1. UK has been testing a lot more than US.

We in US aren't even testing that much, so our actual infection rate is likely even higher than our official numbers.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. Yes. No testing here, which ties into the CDC

not reporting infections that aren't serious and require hospitalization

So the bottom line, we have no idea the magnitude Delta infections. And I personally haven't heard anyone pushing for testing.

[SCantiGOP]

9. Not what I'm seeing

My wife and I have both had the rapid test twice in the past month. Scheduled the test at a CVS drive through on our phones.
And our local newspaper prints every day the number of new cases, current hospitalizations and percentage of positive tests.
I think the info is out there if you look for it.

[LisaL]

13. We are testing a lot less than UK.

UK actually sends people free (multiple) tests for them to test themselves. US is not doing that.

[SCantiGOP]

15. Everyone in my family

Has ordered a set of two rapid tests for $25 through Amazon to keep at home.
We used the CVS option since it was just about as quick (got appointment the next day, and result in less than an hour) and was free.

Mailing everyone free test kits would be a smart, cost effective measure.

[Boomerproud]

16. Amazon getting rich off of a catastrophe.

Goody for them.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. Yes! Available! Agree. But no one is telling people

To get tested is my point

[LisaL]

10. Even with limited testing we have so many cases, we had the most cases in the world last week.

NT

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. We did? Oh my what a cluster f

[LeftInTX]

12. If you have an official test, those numbers are sent to the health dept

I did Binax and that test is like a home pregnancy test. (Bought it at Walmart and did it all at home, completely confidential)
I followed up with PCR and those results are sent to the health district. Health dept sends stats to the CDC. I did my PCR test through Walgreens. I had to fill out forms ahead of time and they collected info. There is also an at-home test that requires cell phone connection and app. The results of that at-home test are also sent to health depts.

My daughter did the Binax test and her result was positive, so there was no reporting to the health district.

My results were negative on both tests, but if the PCR had been positive, it would have been reported.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. Why are health experts saying that CDC is not tracking all cases

Specifically. I heard them say on NPR that they are only tracking deaths and hospitalizations. I guess they must be getting data if testing done the right way but not doing anything with it?

[Raven123]

2. NYT website reports UK vaccine rate higher than the US.

[SoCalDavidS]

4. Yes, This Is True

They also stayed with restrictions for longer than we did. We opened up and dropped all restrictions right when Delta was starting to really get going.

[LisaL]

7. We sure did.

NT

[Johnny2X2X]

5. The UK does too have a large anti-vaxxer movement

But it's probably smaller than the US's and not backed by as many top politicians. The UK also is higher in vaccinations than we are.

But I think there is evidence that this wave will be a brief peak and then things will fall again in terms of nationwide. I think some red states are in for a long next few months though.

[LisaL]

6. We are a month behind UK.

So I wouldn't expect a brief wave here, even if we were to follow UK. UK is higher in vaccination than us, and they also test a lot more (which allows those testing positive to stop spreading it around).

[IcyPeas]

22. the anti-vaxxers were protesting in front of Parliament not long ago

actor and wannabe next Mayor of London, Laurence Fox, The Reclaim Party, was there spreading anti vax messages. I used to like him. There are actually Trump flags flying at this anti-vax protest.

Some may recognize him from the PBS detective series "Lewis"

Link to tweet

Anti-vaxxers in London and Manchester:

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[kentuck]

8. Also, I believe they said 90% of their people had been vaccinated?

Maybe that would make a difference?

[LisaL]

11. 56% of UK's population is fully vaccinated right now.

NT

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. I haven't seen a convincing explanation yet; some have suggested it was the Euro football

in late June/early July that had caused such a large peak then (lots of people watching at pubs/friends' houses, and some going to the matches too, or just going wild in the streets), and this is a recovery from that.

It also could be that the news, ahead of the government abandonment of mandatory indoor masks, social distancing etc., was largely "experts say this is a bad move" and "government says people should be responsible even without the mandate", and the combination of that and the rising numbers did get a lot of people thinking masks and social distancing are still needed, and that actually caused the drop.

[LeftInTX]

20. I think the masks and social distancing are causing the drop...

Heck, just social distancing alone probably causes a drop...

Choosing between going to a crowded event or staying home makes a big difference.

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. Yeah, but it's a total guess that people have used masks *more* when the govt stopped

the compulsory aspect. Likewise, it's a total guess that people are doing social distancing better. It's a just a feeling that with so many news stories about how reckless the government were being, people might have been *more* cautious overall rather than less.