Not just yet anyway….until you can do it right.
The pandemic continues. People had hoped the summer sun would take the virus down, and us back to normal. However, because too many of us are not wearing masks and social distancing PROPERLY AND CONSISTENTLY, cases are still rising, with California and Florida beating New York records. Lastly, the natural immunity methods (catching naturally, COVID parties) are not only ineffective but also dangerous attempts at achieving herd immunity. The MD Anderson Center, and The Mayo Clinic has recently published articles on this crucial topic!
What is Herd Immunity?
Herd immunity occurs when ENOUGH people have developed immunity to an infectious disease SUCH THAT the risk of community transmission is either eliminated or significantly reduced.
How does it happen?
Herd immunity is achieved when a certain percentage of the population has been exposed and infected by a disease like COVID-19 so these people develop antibodies, which provide immunity
Why all the hype about antibodies?
Antibodies, which special particles in our blood, do two things:
1. Protect us from re-infection for a period of time.
2. Prevent us from passing the disease along to others because our immune system can kill that virus or bacteria when we contact it again.
What does it take to achieve herd immunity?
It does depend on the disease. For COVID-19, doctors estimate about 60-70% of the human population would have to have antibodies for our species to achieve herd immunity.
How is Herd Immunity determined?
It’s determined by the herd immunity threshold. This is the average number of new people that a single an infected person can expose to the disease and infect. The herd immunity threshold for the flu is 1.3. For the coronavirus, it is 2 to 3, more than twice as contagious.
When will we possibly have herd immunity against the coronavirus?
When we have a vaccine for it. If clinical trials go well, we could have a vaccine in early 2021, but Dr. Fauci says farther into 2021. We need approximately 70% of our population to have developed antibodies to stop community transmission of COVID-19.
Vaccination is the fastest and safest way to achieve this. Even then, it will take time for it to be distributed, and people will actually have to get the vaccine. Will there be a debate about taking the vaccine? Lastly, it takes a few weeks to build up sufficient antibodies.
So…what do we do?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Let’s be safe!! Wear a mask. Make sure each family member has The Mini Mobile MD Kit that comes in clear, and black cases to keep masks, sanitizers, and gloves in a clean, dry convenient place. Start a collection of reusable masks! Make it fun! I’ve gathered quite a collection.
