John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center (January 15, 2022 11:23AM)
US Totals: Infections 65,195,602

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Missouri Vaccination Rate

53% Vaccinated
47% Not Vaccinated

Our County
42.9% Vaccinated
57.1% Not Vaccinated

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Young and Old

“ST. LOUIS (AP) — COVID-19 infections are rising in Missouri nursing homes and crippling schools as the highly contagious omicron variant surges.

New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows cases among nursing home staff ballooned to 1,261, up from a peak of 981 last fall. While 87% of Missouri nursing homes residents are vaccinated, just two-thirds of nursing home staff are — lower than any other state.”

“Kansas City school districts see higher absence rates as COVID-19 cases surge.” KSHB News

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Masks

The CDC clarified that certain types of masks and respirators offer more protection from the coronavirus than others. ‘Masking is a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask,’ the CDC said in a release. The updated guidelines recommend that Americans wear the most protective mask or respirator they can find that fits well and that they will wear consistently.
Updated CDC guidelines include the following for masks and respirators:

CDC says: Wear a Mask
• When you are caring for someone who has Covid-19
• When you’re on an airplane or public transportation, especially for a long period
• When you’re working at a job where you come into contact with a lot of people, especially when not everyone else is masked
• When you’re not up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccines
• If you have a risk factor for severe illness like a weakened immune system or a certain medical condition
• When you’re in a crowded public place, either indoors or outdoors

At the same time, “Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed lawsuit over St. Louis County's latest 2022 mask mandate. Schmitt's latest lawsuit argues that the mask mandate is a "prohibited order" due to a 2021 law that limits local leaders' ability to enact health orders.”

“Some worried that no masks in Missouri school districts could be problematic. Both Columbia and Jefferson City School districts will welcome its students back to class after Winter Break with a no-mask entry. Columbia School districts announced its new coronavirus protocols on Thursday. Which includes a no quarantine requirement for students and faculty exposed to the virus” KMIZ News

“COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri's governing board on Tuesday rejected a request from the university system's president to temporarily require masks on the Columbia campus in response to increasing cases of COVID-19.” AP News

Most people in Missouri are living their lives without any mask in any situation: Indoors or out. Private or public.
Interestingly, the vaxed and boosted are more likely to willingly wear a mask in a public setting than those who refuse vaccination.

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Life Goes ON

"KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Restaurant Week kicked off Friday night, but there are concerns as COVID-19 cases climb."

"Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System addressed Restaurant Week concerns in their daily online briefing Friday. They encouraged customers to consider carryout options."

“Still, many prefer in restaurant dining. 'I got COVID about a month ago and I’m fully vaccinated and obviously I got through it, so I guess I’m hoping that things get back to normal,' said customer Jessica Davis.”
KMBC News

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Long COVID

"A study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that over 40 percent of covid-19 survivors across the world have or had long-term effects after recovering."

"Akiko Iwasaki (Viral immunology at Yale University) told Reuters 'People who underestimate Omicron as 'mild' are putting themselves at risk of debilitating disease that can linger for months or years.'" USA Today