Herd immunity call backed by British scholars, but pulls anti-aircraft guns

Ella Pickover, Pennsylvania Health Correspondent

People vulnerable to Covid-19 should be allowed to return to normal life, according to a group of British experts.

The new Declaration, which has received thousands of signatures from healthcare professionals, scholars and the general public, calls for a herd immunity approach to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic while protecting the most vulnerable populations.

University of Oxford, University of Nottingham, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, University of Cambridge, University of Sussex, University of York, University of St. George, University of London, University of Strathclyde, University of Leicester, Queen Mary University of London, East Anglia University scholars signed the world I’m an expert inside. Declaration.

This comes after a recent statement from Sir Simon Stephens, the leader of the British NHS.

Another expert said the declaration ignored the growing evidence of long Covid. This left thousands of healthy young people infected with the virus debilitating months after a mild infection.

Professor Jeremy Rothman pointed out that the study suggests that the protective antibody response may “decline rapidly”, suggesting that there were cases of viral reinfection.

Meanwhile, Sweden, which adopted a herd immunity approach, “could not successfully protect vulnerable populations,” he added.

The so-called Great Barrington Declaration states: “As epidemiologists and public health scientists of infectious diseases, we are seriously concerned about the negative effects of the general Covid-19 policy on physical and mental health and recommend an approach called centralized protection. I am. ”

“Current blockade policies have devastating effects on short-term and long-term public health. The consequences (to name a few) are lower childhood immunization rates and cardiovascular disease. This includes worsening outcomes, reduced cancer screening, and worsening mental health, which will increase excessive mortality over the next few years and place the greatest burden on young members of the working class and society. It is a serious injustice to keep students from going to school. ”

“Continuing to implement these measures until the vaccine is available will disproportionately harm the underprivileged and cause irreparable damage.”

“We know that the vulnerabilities to death from Covid-19 are more than 1000 times higher in older people and weaker than in younger people. Indeed, for children, Covid-19 is many other, including influenza. It is less dangerous than the harm of. ”

“The increased immunity of the population reduces the risk of infection for all, including vulnerable people. We say that all populations will eventually reach herd immunity, a new infection rate. We know that we will reach a point of stability, and that this can be supported by vaccines (but not vaccine dependent). Therefore, our goal is mortality and social harm until we reach herd immunity. Is to minimize. ”

“The most compassionate approach to balancing the risks and benefits of reaching herd immunity is for people with minimal risk of death to build immunity to the virus through natural infections while at the same time living a normal life. To make it possible. The highest risk. This is called centralized protection. ”

He added: “People who are not vulnerable should be allowed to resume their lives as usual immediately. Everyone practices simple hygiene measures such as washing hands and staying at home in case of illness to lower the threshold of herd immunity. Schools and colleges should be open for face-to-face teaching. Extracurricular activities such as sports should be resumed. Low-risk young adults work normally, not from home Must be. Restaurants and other businesses should open. ”

“Arts, music, sports and other cultural activities need to be resumed. People at greater risk can participate if they wish, but society as a whole is vulnerable to those who have built herd immunity. Enjoy the protection given to many people. ”

Professor Rothman, Professor Honorary Senior Lecturer of Virology at the University of Kent, commented on the Declaration: “Unfortunately, this Declaration ignores three important aspects that can have a significant impact on health and life. I am. ”

“First of all, it is not yet known whether herd immunity can be achieved. Herd immunity relies on sustained immunological protection from coronavirus reinfection. However, many cases of reinfection have recently occurred. I’ve heard it’s happening, and some studies suggest that the protective antibody response can decline rapidly. ”

“Second, the Declaration focuses only on the risk of death from Covid-19, but it is long that many healthy young adults with mild infections experience prolonged symptoms and long-term disability. I’m ignoring the growing awareness of Covid. ”

“Third, countries like Sweden, which abandoned blockade restrictions in favor of personal responsibility and intensive protection of older people, failed to successfully protect vulnerable people.”

Rosalind Franklin Institute and Professor James Nicesmith, director of the University of Oxford, said: However, it does not sign. ”

“This declaration carries the same risk of error as seen in the UK tracking and quarantine scheme. It is very easy to explain, but we can promise a scheme that is difficult to provide.”

He added that the declaration omits some “important scientific information.”