Vaccines Still Protect Against Severe Covid-19 as Masking and Immunity Debates Evolve

Vaccines continue to provide strong protection against severe illness and death from Covid-19, with ongoing safety monitoring; masking guidance has evolved as we learned more about transmission; herd immunity for Covid proved fragile and not a simple goal; the US faced heavy hospital strain and a high death toll, while long Covid affects millions, all amid politicized public discourse and misinformation.