GEE AND URSULA

Why Washington might not need herd immunity to ‘start taking masks off’

May 5, 2021, 8:17 AM | Updated: 12:18 pm

Mariners game. herd immunity...

Inside T-Mobile Park before a Mariners game on April 2, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo)

(MyNorthwest photo)

Reaching herd immunity has long been discussed an unofficial finish line for the pandemic, both in Washington and across the United States. But could we actually start seeing restrictions relaxed before we reach that threshold? Georgetown virologist Dr. Angela Rasmussen believes so.

Seattle could approach citywide herd immunity by end of May

Dr. Rasmussen estimates that roughly 80-85% of people in the United States will need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to achieve herd immunity, a benchmark that many experts now believe the country may never reach.

But that doesn’t mean COVID-19 restrictions can’t be relaxed at a lower vaccination rate, she points out.

“We don’t have to hit the so-called herd immunity threshold,” Dr. Rasmussen told KIRO Radio’s Gee and Ursula Show. “We just have to get a significant number of people — probably 60% upwards — vaccinated, and also get transmission down.”

Simply put, the more people who get vaccinated, the fewer avenues the virus will have to spread, even before we reach herd immunity.

Currently, roughly 38% of eligible Washingtonians are fully vaccinated, while 54% have received at least one dose. That puts it well short of the 60% mark, but it still puts the state on pace for “a more substantial reopening” sometime this summer, according to Gov. Jay Inslee. More specifically, state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah estimated Wednesday that as much as 50% of the state’s total population would be vaccinated by the end of June at its current pace.

Should Washington manage to eventually crest that 60% mark for vaccinations and drive its recent upticks in case rates and hospitalizations back down, some semblance of normalcy could be mere months away.

Poll: Seattle metro area most eager in country to get the COVID vaccine

“When we have those two conditions met, people will be able to start taking their masks off and interacting normally, and maybe even having dinner in an indoor restaurant without thinking much about it,” Dr. Rasmussen said.

You can find a vaccine location near you at this link, or call 800-525-0127 to get help finding an appointment.

Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show weekday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Gee and Ursula Show

Gee and Ursula

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

19 hours ago

Photo: Yale players, including guard Yassine Gharram, center, celebrate with fans after their 78-76...

Julia Dallas

Gee and Ursula: Idaho band turns ‘Van-Dogs’ as they rep. Yale for March Madness

Yale took down Auburn in a major upset during March Madness. But, they might've not been able to do it without the help of a marching band.

4 days ago

boeing negligence...

Ursula Reutin

Ursula: Boeing has finally taken a step in the right direction

Boeing CEO David Calhoun acknowledged that the mid-air blowout of an Alaska Airlines door panel was a watershed.

4 days ago

Image: Photo of "The Ascent" by Larry Anderson...

Julia Dallas

‘Gee and Ursula’: Bonney Lake mayor search reveals ‘tea’ on candidate

The City of Bonney Lake is searching for a new mayor after the former mayor accepted a job with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

10 days ago

Both President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump have locked the nomination for their respectiv...

Bill Kaczaraba

Medved: ‘People didn’t really know (or care) there was a primary’

Medved believes that people are unhappy with their choices during this presidential cycle.

13 days ago

Photo: The homeless encampment outside city hall is being moved around Burien to another home at Do...

Ursula Reutin

Ursula: The Burien homeless crisis highlights an even bigger problem

Because of the lack of alternatives, the King County Sheriff has ordered her deputies to not enforce a camping ban in Burien.

17 days ago

Why Washington might not need herd immunity to ‘start taking masks off’