According to Fauci, no herd immunity expected with Covid-19. Does this mean that we are stuck with this disease for the rest of humanity? 🙁
Please see my last post from yesterday. While we won’t have herd immunity, we have built up a semi-permeable wall of immunity. This means that those who get Covid will at least have some kind of immune response triggered in their bodies. For most people, this will be sufficient to ward off severe disease. It’s the immune-compromised, elderly, and those with poor underlying health I worry about most. The successions of waves today – as opposed to 1920 – are due to our mobility. What happens in, say, South Africa, doesn’t stay there.
Two caveats are worth noting: 1. A completely new and more virulent variant could emerge. I don’t think that’s likely. But, don’t take my word for it. I am NOT an epidemiologist. 2. As Vicki often points out, we can’t ignore Long Covid. I think we have a tendency to do so. But, there’s mounting evidence of its existence and its impact on multiple organs in the body. Keep in mind, part of the evolution of the virus has included its expansion of impact to other organs besides the lungs. Omicron is an excellent example of this. It’s less efficient in the lungs than prior variants, but it’s very effective at attacking organ function elsewhere in the body in folks with poor underlying health or simply the elderly.
I am even less of an epidemiologist!
It seems possible that much of the organ damage associated with COVID is not a result of the virus itself, but rather a result of the body’s immune response to the virus. The virus has no “interest” in damaging the host, only in passing on its genetic material. Could it be that, compared to earlier variants, Omicron produces an immune response that is more detrimental to our own body’s systems?
VERY interesting theory. Sure makes sense. Would you think that also applies to long Covid in that the immune system cannot seem to stop itself? Or is that farfetched?
That’s been stated for quite some time. Like how we were stuck with the spanish flu for the rest of humanity.
Agree. Herd immunity is a social media thing.
Joshua, good explanation. As with the flu, we hopefully will build some sort of tolerance that will be boosted with boosters. No pun intended.
Many experts shared their concern pre event. That the heck is wrong with Biden? For that matter what is wrong with the many many many in attendance.
SClarke, I think you are correct. It’s the immune response more than it is the virus.
Some here have expressed concern about the WH Correspondents Dinner of about 2,000 guests but yet, in the coming weeks, basketball and hockey arenas will be packed with 18,000 – 20,000 fans not to mention the participants on the courts and ice bumping and grinding with each other.
Indeed. I don’t understand any of it.
C-19
5-1
ready
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Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
Thanks TK.
According to Fauci, no herd immunity expected with Covid-19. Does this mean that we are stuck with this disease for the rest of humanity? 🙁
Please see my last post from yesterday. While we won’t have herd immunity, we have built up a semi-permeable wall of immunity. This means that those who get Covid will at least have some kind of immune response triggered in their bodies. For most people, this will be sufficient to ward off severe disease. It’s the immune-compromised, elderly, and those with poor underlying health I worry about most. The successions of waves today – as opposed to 1920 – are due to our mobility. What happens in, say, South Africa, doesn’t stay there.
Two caveats are worth noting: 1. A completely new and more virulent variant could emerge. I don’t think that’s likely. But, don’t take my word for it. I am NOT an epidemiologist. 2. As Vicki often points out, we can’t ignore Long Covid. I think we have a tendency to do so. But, there’s mounting evidence of its existence and its impact on multiple organs in the body. Keep in mind, part of the evolution of the virus has included its expansion of impact to other organs besides the lungs. Omicron is an excellent example of this. It’s less efficient in the lungs than prior variants, but it’s very effective at attacking organ function elsewhere in the body in folks with poor underlying health or simply the elderly.
I am even less of an epidemiologist!
It seems possible that much of the organ damage associated with COVID is not a result of the virus itself, but rather a result of the body’s immune response to the virus. The virus has no “interest” in damaging the host, only in passing on its genetic material. Could it be that, compared to earlier variants, Omicron produces an immune response that is more detrimental to our own body’s systems?
VERY interesting theory. Sure makes sense. Would you think that also applies to long Covid in that the immune system cannot seem to stop itself? Or is that farfetched?
That’s been stated for quite some time. Like how we were stuck with the spanish flu for the rest of humanity.
Agree. Herd immunity is a social media thing.
Joshua, good explanation. As with the flu, we hopefully will build some sort of tolerance that will be boosted with boosters. No pun intended.
Hi dr s. Hope all is well.
I sincerely don’t get this. It’s troubling that we’re throwing all caution to the wind. https://twitter.com/JeromeAdamsMD/status/1520338135649071104
Many experts shared their concern pre event. That the heck is wrong with Biden? For that matter what is wrong with the many many many in attendance.
SClarke, I think you are correct. It’s the immune response more than it is the virus.
Some here have expressed concern about the WH Correspondents Dinner of about 2,000 guests but yet, in the coming weeks, basketball and hockey arenas will be packed with 18,000 – 20,000 fans not to mention the participants on the courts and ice bumping and grinding with each other.
Indeed. I don’t understand any of it.
C-19
5-1
ready