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Were eight months into theCOVID-19 pandemic.
Yulia Reznikov/Getty Images
There is nothing that most of us would like more than having some semblance of normality.
I spoke with four scientists for their thoughts.
First: What exactly does herd immunity mean?
Viruses require a host to replicate, Columbia University virologistAngela Rasmussen, Ph.D., tells SELF.
The likelihood of them coming into contact with an infected person becomes much lower, Dr. Gurdasani explains.
There are a few different ways to achieveherd immunitywith infectious diseases.
One is through widespread vaccination in a community.
Unfortunately, we dont yet have aCOVID-19 vaccineto help us achieve this goal.
This isnt a guarantee with every infectious disease.
For instance, theres stilla lot we dont know about coronavirus antibodies and immunitymore on that in a bit.
Why is the idea of COVID-19 herd immunity so flawed and dangerous?
In reality, there are a number of reasons why the very premise of this strategy is dubious.
The truth is that these are all linked.
Countries that have controlled COVID-19 well have done better economically, Dr. Gurdasani says.
Similarly, health services overwhelmed with COVID-19 cannot provide routine care.
The only way to protect our society and our economy is by controlling COVID-19.
First, vulnerable people is not limited to just the elderly, points out Rasmussen.
Further, Dr. Bhadelia adds that separating the vulnerable from the rest of society is, essentially, impossible.
Both our lived experiences and data say that we cannot separate the vulnerable from others.
We share homes and workplaces with them.
She notes that the best way to protect the vulnerable is instead bykeeping community transmission downin the first place.
That means continuing with prevention measures like social distancing and masking.
Instead, it notes that those who are not vulnerable should immediately be allowed to resume life as normal.
“I think it’s a mischaracterization to say that we say, Let it rip.
I don’t want to create infections intentionally.
Reaching herd immunity also requires people who are out working and interacting socially to become infected.
Then theres the fact that the outcomes from a COVID-19 infection are not simply recovery or death.
This can happen even in people who have a mild infection.
Is infection-based COVID-19 herd immunity actually even possible?
Focused protection depends on a long-term outcome of herd immunity as the result of widespread COVID-19 infections.
But is this even possible?
Frankly, were not sure.
While it does seem that most peopledevelop antibodiesfollowing infection, how long they are protective is unclear.
Not only would that be devastating, it would also be completely unnecessary.
What are our options besides herd immunity?
The evidence gives us a clear roadmap for what needs to happen to control COVID-19, Dr. Gurdasani says.
This kind of support has beenlargely absentin the U.S. coronavirus response.
We also need stricter policies surrounding mask wearing.
Unfortunately, in the U.S., many states stilllack statewide mandates.
Similarly, Dr. Bhadelia suggests that we should get used to amiddle groundfor the duration of the pandemic.
Its completely understandable that people are tired of this.
Dr. Gurdasani pulls no punches, suggesting it is promoting an ideology thats rooted in pseudoscience.
