Blog

How Far We've Come

By H. K. Lehman, Professor of Biology

February 17, 2021

Just one year ago we knew about COVID-19, but had no idea on how profoundly it would affect our daily lives on the Hill. For example, on Feb. 16, 2020, there were no reported cases in Oneida County compared to a total of 19,186 as of today. Frankly, this is good news because new COVID-19 cases and deaths have been steadily declining for the past month in our county, state, and nation.

Unfortunately, demand for the vaccine continues to greatly outstrip supply. To date, just over 38 million doses have been administered in the U.S., and Oneida County has administered vaccinations to only about 7.5% of the population (NYS=9.9%). To put that in the context of our state and county, NYS receives approximately 300,000 vaccinations per week, and Oneida County’s allotment has decreased week over week to as few as 500. Thus, we still have a very long way to go to reach a vaccination rate that would provide herd immunity in our community, state and nation.      

So make no mistake -- the declining numbers of COVID-19 cases are not due to vaccinations. We know what works and that is staying six feet apart, wearing masks, and not mixing with others outside our community. We have been very successful at keeping COVID-19 infections at bay on campus, and we just need to keep it up. There will be light at the end of the tunnel.