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Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: COVID-19 illness and variants of SARS-COV-2 will be around for a very long time. The USA should focus on getting people into better shape and eating better to combat COVID-19 deaths/hospitalizations.

Vaccinations are great and it is wonderful we were able to get a vaccine out in such a short time, even though the peak protection maybe lasts about 6 months.  Vaccines are a good weapon for those are risk of death/illness and we will continue to use those in the USA and around the world.  

But, we know what the elephant in the room is.  The USA is full of unhealthy people.  We have a massive obesity issue.  It just so happens, those who are obese have a higher chance of severe covid-19 illness and even death.  This is not me saying, but the science from around the world supports this statement.  The 2 biggest risk factors for severe illness/death from COVID-19 are 1. age 2. physical health/obesity.  

It is great to support vaccines, and that will continue.  To further combat this virus, a virus for which current vaccines aren't built to eradicate, nor does protection from current vaccines appear to last for more than 6 months-a year, we need to focus on physical health as well.  

I have no idea how this will work.  We give people food stamps to eat, so maybe a voucher for a gym membership?  Or how about if you show you went to the gym x times/month, the govt refunds your membership fees for the month.  This can be done at state, local or federal level.  Feds will fuck it up, but I am just spit balling.  my view is not totally tied to how to make this happen, so I am open to hearing viable options.

Also, by getting into better shape, will help reduce the strain on the healthcare system later on.

So let's summarize.

1. USA is full of fat fucks

2. fat fucks are more likely to be hospitalized/die from COVID-19

3. Vaccines are great, but the protection is temporary (under a year per Israel)

4. In addition to vaccines, we need to get in better shape

5. Since COVID-19 will be around for quite some time, we should also focus on physical health to combat the virus.

So here is how to change my view

1. Local, state or federal plans to get more people into some type of physical exercise since my plans were just spit balling.

2. Show me why the USA should not have a physical fitness campaign specifically to show the benefits against COVID-19 illness/death, much like the vaccine campaigns.

3. Anything else to change/modify my view.
gpt
Epidemiologist here! Yes, COVID will likely be around forever. Ideally, through a combination of vaccine induced immunity and natural immunity, the virus will become the common cold / flu.

The US, and the world, should focus on getting more people vaccinated. A physical fitness / health campaign would be beneficial in many ways (not just for COVID), but directing a substantial amount of resources towards it, and taking away resources meant for vaccine development, would not be worthwhile. 

First of all, no amount of campaigning or advertising will convince substantially overweight people to lose weight. Losing weight is very hard, particularly if you're very overweight. It requires a lot of time and effort. Getting a vaccine is easy and takes minutes. Becoming a healthy weight will take months or years. Sure, some will be convinced to lose weight. But not enough to have a major impact on hospitalizations / deaths. The US is already having so much trouble convincing vaccine hesitant Americans to get vaccinated. Can you imagine how many people will be hesitant to spend months / years drastically changing their lifestyle to try and lose weight?! 

Second of all, obesity is only ONE risk factor for severe COVID. Older people, no matter how healthy they are, are at a significantly increased risk. In addition, there are also people who are immunocompromised. 

Third of all, losing weight wouldn't protect those around you. Yes, the COVID vaccine DOES reduce transmission (it doesn't stop it completely, but it does reduce it). 

Forth, take the Israel data with a cup full of salt. Scientists are extremely wary of the data coming from Israel. Their data is always the outlier compared with data coming from other countries. Plus, even if you do believe Israel's data, the efficacy against hospitalizations and deaths remained over 90%. 

Fifth, losing weight takes a LONG time. We do not have the liberty of time with this virus. The longer it circulates in a population that lacks immunity, the more time it has to mutate. We need everyone to have at least some level of immunity, and vaccines will get us there.

Sure, a physical fitness campaign wouldn't be a bad thing. It will be beneficial for plenty of reasons. But campaigns cost money. Where is this money coming from? If it will take away ANY of the money spent on vaccine campaigns, then we absolutely should not have such a campaign right now. Our focus should be on distributing vaccines around the world as quickly as possible (and convincing all of the vaccine hesitant Americans to get vaccinated). We should also focus on future vaccine development, since we may need an annual shot for this (just like the flu shot). Effective vaccines are the most powerful tool. More powerful than weight loss.