“That average, calculated over the last seven days, is higher than in any previous surge except last winter’s, before most Americans were eligible to get vaccinated … Hospitalizations nationwide have increased by nearly 500 percent in the past two months, particularly across Southern states, where I.C.U. beds are filling up, a crisis fueled by some of the country’s lowest vaccination rates and widespread political opposition to public health measures like mask requirements.” U.S. Tops 100,000 Average Covid Hospitalizations.

+ What makes this stat, and the anti-science movement that drives it, even more upsetting is that this time, Covid is coming for kids. NYT (gift article for ND readers): At a Children’s Hospital, a Wave of Young Patients Struggling to Breathe.

+ The most dangerous job in America? Antivax radio host: 3rd conservative radio host who condemned vaccines dies of Covid.

+ The spokesman for a major evangelical nonprofit was fired for promoting vaccines on the MSNBC. (It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap, you gotta get out while you’re young.)

+ Judge orders Cinci hospital to treat COVID-19 patient with Ivermectin, despite CDC warnings.

+ Ben Collins: “A lot of people have asked me this week: Where did this ivermectin obsession come from? Who could possibly benefit from it? Most importantly, why did my antivaxx aunt start eating horse goo from the tractor store? It’s complicated, but here are some answers.”

+ EU takes US off safe travel list.