Your CDC post neither states not implies that COVID 'is just a virus', that's why the word 'novel' is used to describe it.
It's lethality is greater than that of the flu viruses and the death toll from COVID greatly exceeds the total of flu deaths in recent years.
I do not believe Biden would have concealed how serious the virus was known to be with 'i didn't want to panic people'. Nor do I think he would hold super spreader rallies and WH garden parties with
mostly non-mask wearing supporters.
Leading by example can be either good or, as with Trump, very, very, bad and very, very, dangerous.
Biden said yesterday that he would not call for a nationwide shutdown because of regional, state and municipal differences.
And yet we now see how those differences are playing out, through increasing shut downs and mask mandates.
Letting COVID 'run its course' is irresponsible and just bad medicine.
Reaching 'herd immunity' through 'natural infection' would require well over millions of American. deaths .
It's lethality is greater than that of the flu viruses and the death toll from COVID greatly exceeds the total of flu deaths in recent years.
I do not believe Biden would have concealed how serious the virus was known to be with 'i didn't want to panic people'. Nor do I think he would hold super spreader rallies and WH garden parties with
mostly non-mask wearing supporters.
Leading by example can be either good or, as with Trump, very, very, bad and very, very, dangerous.
Biden said yesterday that he would not call for a nationwide shutdown because of regional, state and municipal differences.
And yet we now see how those differences are playing out, through increasing shut downs and mask mandates.
Letting COVID 'run its course' is irresponsible and just bad medicine.
Reaching 'herd immunity' through 'natural infection' would require well over millions of American. deaths .
Quote:Herd immunity and COVID-19 (coronavirus): What you need to know
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-condition...t-20486808
How is herd immunity achieved?
There are two paths to herd immunity for COVID-19 — vaccines and infection.
Vaccines
A vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19 would be an ideal approach to achieving herd immunity. Vaccines create immunity without causing illness or resulting complications. Herd immunity makes it possible to protect the population from a disease, including those who can't be vaccinated, such as newborns or those who have compromised immune systems. Using the concept of herd immunity, vaccines have successfully controlled deadly contagious diseases such as smallpox, polio, diphtheria, rubella and many others.
Reaching herd immunity through vaccination sometimes has drawbacks, though. Protection from some vaccines can wane over time, requiring revaccination. Sometimes people don't get all of the shots that they need to be completely protected from a disease.
In addition, some people may object to vaccines because of religious objections, fears about the possible risks or skepticism about the benefits. People who object to vaccines often live in the same neighborhoods or attend the same religious services or schools. If the proportion of vaccinated people in a community falls below the herd immunity threshold, exposure to a contagious disease could result in the disease quickly spreading. Measles has recently resurged in several parts of the world with relatively low vaccination rates, including the United States. Opposition to vaccines can pose a real challenge to herd immunity.
Natural infection
Herd immunity can also be reached when a sufficient number of people in the population have recovered from a disease and have developed antibodies against future infection. For example, those who survived the 1918 flu (influenza) pandemic were later immune to infection with the H1N1 flu, a subtype of influenza A. During the 2009-10 flu season, H1N1 caused the respiratory infection in humans that was commonly referred to as swine flu.
However, there are some major problems with relying on community infection to create herd immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. First, it isn't yet clear if infection with the COVID-19 virus makes a person immune to future infection.
Research suggests that after infection with some coronaviruses, reinfection with the same virus — though usually mild and only happening in a fraction of people — is possible after a period of months or years. Further research is needed to determine the protective effect of antibodies to the virus in those who have been infected.
Even if infection with the COVID-19 virus creates long-lasting immunity, a large number of people would have to become infected to reach the herd immunity threshold. Experts estimate that in the U.S., 70% of the population — more than 200 million people — would have to recover from COVID-19 to halt the epidemic. If many people become sick with COVID-19 at once, the health care system could quickly become overwhelmed. This amount of infection could also lead to serious complications and millions of deaths, especially among older people and those who have chronic conditions.
