@dsterncardinale I just watched your Delta Variant video. It was not what I was expecting. I was hoping for an analysis of the mutations and how the mutations arose and promoted viral fitness or transmissibility in some way.
At the end you said that the delta variant is “a result of widespread vaccination.” I do not see the evidence for that statement. Would you please explain how you came to that conclusion? The delta variant arose in India before the country had widespread access to vaccines. Likewise, other variants arose in the UK, South Africa and Brazil prior to vaccines being available. My assumption was that these variants arise due to uncontrolled infection rates (for example in Brazil social distancing measures and masking were being discouraged by the President, leading to a massive outbreak in which it was assumed the majority of people in some cities could have been exposed to the virus). I have been seeing anti-vax propaganda now stating that vaccines are making the pandemic worse, so I think that concluding that vaccines caused the delta variant could be a dangerous idea to spread, unless there is good evidence for that fact and how we should respond. I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!