Good afternoon,
In looking through Emails, I noticed that one reader objected to using the term “dead end” in describing the effect of the virus on a fully vaccinated person.
The term was used in this space on Friday.
He pointed out that most vaccines are not totally effective, as shown by a smattering of “breakthrough” cases among the fully vaccinated in Delaware and elsewhere.
The term “dead-end came” from administration health official Dr. Anthony Fauci. He acknowledged that a fully vaccinated individual could carry the virus but added that the infection is likely to be weak.
I did see an encouraging development over the weekend. In northern Delaware, mask-wearing was commonplace, despite the end of the indoor mandate for fully vaccinated residents.
That degree of caution will help drive down daily case numbers, which fell below 100 at one point last weekend. The masks also protect the most vulnerable who have medical conditions that preclude vaccinations. People who cite their constitutional rights alone as the reason for not getting vaccinations should consider their more vulnerable neighbors.
Vaccinations and good behavior are clearly responsible for the continuing decline in cases and hospitalizations, even though Delaware has moved to the middle of the pack among the 50 states in its inoculation rate. We should be doing better.
Hydrogen and nuclear power
In a story regarding Bloom Energy and plans by a national laboratory to test out its green hydrogen process by using electricity from a nuclear power plant, one longtime reader said the process is not all that green.
He noted that the amount of energy used in extraction would be greater than the energy potential of hydrogen.
It’s a valid point. But it’s also true that hydrogen can be stored and moved around. That allows for excess always-on power from nuclear plants to be diverted and stored without powering down an efficient source of electricity.
It is also true that nuclear plants can be more flexible in dealing with peaks and valleys in electricity consumption than previously believed. Sorry greenies, we will need nuclear power in making the transition.
Proponents of green hydrogen say its advantages are many, starting with the reduced need for natural gas wells that leak methane and come with other environmental issues.
Also getting more attention is renewable natural gas produced from chicken litter, cow poop, and landfill gas. One proposed plant near Seaford is going through the permitting process.
Nuclear plants have their issues since the locations are often away from major population centers.
For example, Delaware and Maryland ended up in a regulatory battle over a plan to run a powerline from the Salem complex into Delaware and Maryland to make the electric grid in and around the plants more stable.
Under the original plan, ratepayers in the two states largely footed the bill, even though benefits were meager. A more favorable settlement was later reached.
Enjoy the rest of this cool Monday, and yes, we could use a little rain. Brown lawns in May just aren’t right. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
