Good morning, Dr Rasmussen.

Good morning, Dr Rasmussen.

Good morning, Ursula.

Good morning, Ursula.

Thank you so much for joining us. So we're hearing so much about the single shot option from Johnson and Johnson. How much of a game changer is this vaccine? And I got to tell you, it's the one that I'm hoping that I get. Am I wrong on that one being a real favorable option?

Thank you so much for joining us. So we're hearing so much about the single shot option from Johnson and Johnson. How much of a game changer is this vaccine? And I got to tell you, it's the one that I'm hoping that I get. Am I wrong on that one being a real favorable option?

You're not wrong at all. Um, there are a number of advantages to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, including that it's only one shot. It also has a more favorable side effect profile. Um, some people have expressed concern that overall, it's not as efficacious as,

You're not wrong at all. Um, there are a number of advantages to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, including that it's only one shot. It also has a more favorable side effect profile. Um, some people have expressed concern that overall, it's not as efficacious as,

uh, Moderna or Pfizer at preventing symptomatic covid 19. Um, but one thing people really need to consider about that is that the trial was actually done in a very different way. Um, it had a different end point. It was actually looking at its ability to prevent severe covid 19, not just covid 19 overall.

uh, Moderna or Pfizer at preventing symptomatic covid 19. Um, but one thing people really need to consider about that is that the trial was actually done in a very different way. Um, it had a different end point. It was actually looking at its ability to prevent severe covid 19, not just covid 19 overall.

Um, so it's kind of like comparing apples and oranges when you're trying to compare the efficacy data of the Madonna and Pfizer vaccines with the Johnson and Johnson.

Um, so it's kind of like comparing apples and oranges when you're trying to compare the efficacy data of the Madonna and Pfizer vaccines with the Johnson and Johnson.

Um, it's an incredibly efficacious vaccine at keeping people out of the hospital and keeping them from dying. Uh, so for that reason, I recommend if you have the opportunity to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine first, um, you should get it. I would personally take it if it were offered to me tomorrow.

Um, it's an incredibly efficacious vaccine at keeping people out of the hospital and keeping them from dying. Uh, so for that reason, I recommend if you have the opportunity to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine first, um, you should get it. I would personally take it if it were offered to me tomorrow.

Yeah, me too. And in fact, I had a dream last night that for some reason there was an extra dose. I was like, at some fairground, it was bizarro, but it was the J and J vaccine and someone injected it into my hand. I have no idea how all that got into my head, but in any case, that's a whole nother story.

Yeah, me too. And in fact, I had a dream last night that for some reason there was an extra dose. I was like, at some fairground, it was bizarro, but it was the J and J vaccine and someone injected it into my hand. I have no idea how all that got into my head, but in any case, that's a whole nother story.

Hoping, hoping you get that vaccine as soon as possible probably.

Hoping, hoping you get that vaccine as soon as possible probably.

I think I'm, I'm a little anxious about that. But you pointed out too, though, it really -- We're not going to have a choice. I mean, it is, you get what you get, correct?

I think I'm, I'm a little anxious about that. But you pointed out too, though, it really -- We're not going to have a choice. I mean, it is, you get what you get, correct?

Yes, that's correct right now. Certainly, we don't have the vaccine supplies to get a choice in most places.

Yes, that's correct right now. Certainly, we don't have the vaccine supplies to get a choice in most places.

So, um, again, I think that right now the most important thing is to get vaccinated as soon as you can, with whichever vaccine is offered to you, and I would take any of the three vaccines that have been authorized for use in the US.

So, um, again, I think that right now the most important thing is to get vaccinated as soon as you can, with whichever vaccine is offered to you, and I would take any of the three vaccines that have been authorized for use in the US.

Many public health experts are warning that the game is far from over, Dr. Rasmussen, advising us to stay strong on defense, which -- I know you'll like this -- which reminds me of this classic

Many public health experts are warning that the game is far from over, Dr. Rasmussen, advising us to stay strong on defense, which -- I know you'll like this -- which reminds me of this classic

coach Pete Carroll wisdom right here. "Can you win the game in the first quarter? No! Can you win the game in the second quarter? No! Can you win the game in the third quarter? No! Can you win the game in the fourth quarter?"

coach Pete Carroll wisdom right here. "Can you win the game in the first quarter? No! Can you win the game in the second quarter? No! Can you win the game in the third quarter? No! Can you win the game in the fourth quarter?"

Dr Rasmussen, I can hear it in your voice. Is that an accurate way to frame the moment that we're in right now? Are we at the beginning of the fourth quarter? Talk to us.

Dr Rasmussen, I can hear it in your voice. Is that an accurate way to frame the moment that we're in right now? Are we at the beginning of the fourth quarter? Talk to us.

I think that's fair. And I think that -- I mean, to extend that metaphor, I think it's safe to say that we haven't played well in the 1st, 2nd, or third quarter, but we better win this game in the fourth quarter.

I think that's fair. And I think that -- I mean, to extend that metaphor, I think it's safe to say that we haven't played well in the 1st, 2nd, or third quarter, but we better win this game in the fourth quarter.

Oh, yes. Finally! I just, for some reason, I gotta tell you, Dr Rasmussen, I was nervous to ask you that. And let me tell you why, because you have a,

Oh, yes. Finally! I just, for some reason, I gotta tell you, Dr Rasmussen, I was nervous to ask you that. And let me tell you why, because you have a,

you have a hard time sugarcoating things. So every time the Gee and Ursula show asks you something, you gotta tell us. So I was asked -- I was afraid to

you have a hard time sugarcoating things. So every time the Gee and Ursula show asks you something, you gotta tell us. So I was asked -- I was afraid to

have this feeling of being in the fourth quarter and for you to say that is well done. Thank you so much for that. Um, also --

have this feeling of being in the fourth quarter and for you to say that is well done. Thank you so much for that. Um, also --

My pleasure.

My pleasure.

It just really felt good. I mean, we've been dealing with this for a long time, and we all needed some good news.

It just really felt good. I mean, we've been dealing with this for a long time, and we all needed some good news.

Let me ask this. And I know you did mention that there is no way to control that. Someone just text in to us asking if they have a parent or loved one in their seventies and they are able to if they are able to choose,

Let me ask this. And I know you did mention that there is no way to control that. Someone just text in to us asking if they have a parent or loved one in their seventies and they are able to if they are able to choose,

is there a particular one -- Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson -- that you would say to go ahead and get or is that you can't do that?

is there a particular one -- Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson -- that you would say to go ahead and get or is that you can't do that?

I don't think I would say to get any of them, Um, I mean, that they should, that they should choose. They certainly shouldn't hold out and wait for one vaccine over another. Um, for people over the age of 65, as well as everybody who participated in all three of the clinical trials,

I don't think I would say to get any of them, Um, I mean, that they should, that they should choose. They certainly shouldn't hold out and wait for one vaccine over another. Um, for people over the age of 65, as well as everybody who participated in all three of the clinical trials,

those vaccines are all very efficacious about, against what matters most, and that is being hospitalized and dying from Covid 19. So if I had an older relative who was offered nothing but the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, I'd say absolutely get it. I would not say hold out and wait for Moderna or Pfizer.

those vaccines are all very efficacious about, against what matters most, and that is being hospitalized and dying from Covid 19. So if I had an older relative who was offered nothing but the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, I'd say absolutely get it. I would not say hold out and wait for Moderna or Pfizer.

At the same time, if they were offered the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, I would say get that one. Um, all three of the vaccines are very, very protective against, again, what's most important, and that's saving your life, and keeping you from getting severely ill enough that you'll end up in the hospital.

At the same time, if they were offered the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, I would say get that one. Um, all three of the vaccines are very, very protective against, again, what's most important, and that's saving your life, and keeping you from getting severely ill enough that you'll end up in the hospital.

Dr. Rasmussen. So you mentioned to Gee, yes, we are in the fourth quarter. But we are also hearing from the head of the CDC who was saying, 'We cannot let down our guard' and we really need to keep this up. But as you know, we're also fighting this situation with teachers unions, in particular, where

Dr. Rasmussen. So you mentioned to Gee, yes, we are in the fourth quarter. But we are also hearing from the head of the CDC who was saying, 'We cannot let down our guard' and we really need to keep this up. But as you know, we're also fighting this situation with teachers unions, in particular, where

some school districts are now not returning kids back to school. But some districts are, and they're doing it successfully. From your point of view as a virologist: Is this a time when we can get our kids back to school? I mean, what are the arguments against it?

some school districts are now not returning kids back to school. But some districts are, and they're doing it successfully. From your point of view as a virologist: Is this a time when we can get our kids back to school? I mean, what are the arguments against it?

Well, I think it really, really depends a lot on the particular community. If there's not a lot of community transmission occurring, or if that's relatively under control, if there are mitigation plans in place to make return to school safer,

Well, I think it really, really depends a lot on the particular community. If there's not a lot of community transmission occurring, or if that's relatively under control, if there are mitigation plans in place to make return to school safer,

then I think it's probably okay. And the C. D. C. has issued very, very detailed guidance on the relative levels of safety for students and teachers. Um, for, to consider when reopening schools. Um, I think that, you know, right now, uh, teachers, in many cases, are not being prioritized for vaccination. Um, not just in Washington, but in many states.

then I think it's probably okay. And the C. D. C. has issued very, very detailed guidance on the relative levels of safety for students and teachers. Um, for, to consider when reopening schools. Um, I think that, you know, right now, uh, teachers, in many cases, are not being prioritized for vaccination. Um, not just in Washington, but in many states.

And by the time that the fall rolls around and kids are going back to school, I think that's going to be a very different story. But right now it's just very difficult. Um, some of it has to do with the levels of community transmission to make it safe, some of it has to do with the kids age.

And by the time that the fall rolls around and kids are going back to school, I think that's going to be a very different story. But right now it's just very difficult. Um, some of it has to do with the levels of community transmission to make it safe, some of it has to do with the kids age.

So we know that, for example, it's a lot more likely that there will be spread among high school students, junior high students, middle school students, than among very young students like kindergartners.

So we know that, for example, it's a lot more likely that there will be spread among high school students, junior high students, middle school students, than among very young students like kindergartners.

So, um, there's there's really a lot of moving pieces here, and there's no one right answer. Um, I think that what's most unfortunate is when teachers don't have a choice about whether they can go back or not.

So, um, there's there's really a lot of moving pieces here, and there's no one right answer. Um, I think that what's most unfortunate is when teachers don't have a choice about whether they can go back or not.

I think that, you know, their safety, they need to have a voice, they need to -- Their safety needs to be considered as well as the safety of the students and the need for those kids to be educated in person.

I think that, you know, their safety, they need to have a voice, they need to -- Their safety needs to be considered as well as the safety of the students and the need for those kids to be educated in person.

Mhm. Yeah, in the case of Blanchett High School, where I work with the board, uh, they have, they're not forcing teachers who can't, for whatever reason, go back to the classroom. But they are making accommodations, and then they're also bringing in staff, um, so that

Mhm. Yeah, in the case of Blanchett High School, where I work with the board, uh, they have, they're not forcing teachers who can't, for whatever reason, go back to the classroom. But they are making accommodations, and then they're also bringing in staff, um, so that

no one is actually forced to do it. You know, in my opinion, and I know this is not where, why we bring you in. But if there's a will, there's a way, and you can do it without having to force everybody back. Okay, I got one last question, and this is from Dr Anthony Fauci said that people who are fully vaccinated can start gathering individually with minimal risk. Is that something that you concur with?

no one is actually forced to do it. You know, in my opinion, and I know this is not where, why we bring you in. But if there's a will, there's a way, and you can do it without having to force everybody back. Okay, I got one last question, and this is from Dr Anthony Fauci said that people who are fully vaccinated can start gathering individually with minimal risk. Is that something that you concur with?

I do agree with that. Um, what I think is really important to note here is that we're talking about a group of people where everybody has been vaccinated, and not in a public place where there are going to be unvaccinated people around,

I do agree with that. Um, what I think is really important to note here is that we're talking about a group of people where everybody has been vaccinated, and not in a public place where there are going to be unvaccinated people around,

but in your home. So let's say that you've gotten vaccinated, and your parents,

but in your home. So let's say that you've gotten vaccinated, and your parents,

uh, some people outside your household, your friends have all gone through their full, uh, regimen of vaccine shots and waited another week or two so that they're fully immune. Then it would be perfectly fine for you to get together, um, inside at somebody's house, uh, to meet up, um, you know, indoors without masks and start socializing again.

uh, some people outside your household, your friends have all gone through their full, uh, regimen of vaccine shots and waited another week or two so that they're fully immune. Then it would be perfectly fine for you to get together, um, inside at somebody's house, uh, to meet up, um, you know, indoors without masks and start socializing again.

But it is really important to say that this does not mean you should go out hitting the bars or start going out to dinner with large groups of people who have all been vaccinated, for a couple different reasons. One is that there will be other unvaccinated people, and we still don't really know fully what the risk of transmission to them is. Um, in addition to that, you know, it's really I think it just sends a bad signal

But it is really important to say that this does not mean you should go out hitting the bars or start going out to dinner with large groups of people who have all been vaccinated, for a couple different reasons. One is that there will be other unvaccinated people, and we still don't really know fully what the risk of transmission to them is. Um, in addition to that, you know, it's really I think it just sends a bad signal

to end up with really a two tiered society where you're going to have people who have been able to access the vaccine and those who have not. We already know that there is still big problems with equity in terms of the vaccine rollout and distribution. There are a number of people, especially older people, who might not have access to the type of technology that's often used to set up vaccine appointments as well as communities of color who have not been able to access the vaccine.

to end up with really a two tiered society where you're going to have people who have been able to access the vaccine and those who have not. We already know that there is still big problems with equity in terms of the vaccine rollout and distribution. There are a number of people, especially older people, who might not have access to the type of technology that's often used to set up vaccine appointments as well as communities of color who have not been able to access the vaccine.

Um, I think that it sends a really bad message to have people who have been able to access the vaccine going out and enjoying all the things that have been restricted for everybody else

Um, I think that it sends a really bad message to have people who have been able to access the vaccine going out and enjoying all the things that have been restricted for everybody else

when there are other people who qualify for getting the vaccine but have not yet been able to. So to go back to the football game analogy, you know, if you've been, if you're losing and you're behind for the first three quarters,

when there are other people who qualify for getting the vaccine but have not yet been able to. So to go back to the football game analogy, you know, if you've been, if you're losing and you're behind for the first three quarters,

the beginning of the fourth quarter is not the time to start slacking off. That's when you really buckle down the hardest and start pulling out the crazy plays to try to win the actual game. And that's really kind of the mindset that we should all have right now. We all need to buckle down as a team to get through and win the game. Um, and then we can all celebrate together.

the beginning of the fourth quarter is not the time to start slacking off. That's when you really buckle down the hardest and start pulling out the crazy plays to try to win the actual game. And that's really kind of the mindset that we should all have right now. We all need to buckle down as a team to get through and win the game. Um, and then we can all celebrate together.

Thank you so much. We appreciate your time. Dr Angela Rasmussen, our favorite virologist. We will talk to you next Tuesday.

Thank you so much. We appreciate your time. Dr Angela Rasmussen, our favorite virologist. We will talk to you next Tuesday.

Sounds good, Ursula. Take care.

Sounds good, Ursula. Take care.

Tell Taz hello. Will do, Gee.

Tell Taz hello. Will do, Gee.