/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f5f8c33a7c7f245c8a93cb1/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=4077&cropY1=0&cropY2=2293&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "WHO Chief Decries ‘Herd Immunity’ Covid Strategy Endorsed By Key Trump Advisor")
Topline
The World Health Organization’s director-general spoke out Monday against the idea of letting the coronavirus spread freely until most of the world’s population becomes immune, calling the so-called “herd immunity” strategy — supported by an advisor to President Trump — “scientifically and ethically problematic” and warning it could lead to many unnecessary deaths.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a press … [+]
POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
At a WHO press conference Monday, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said herd immunity, or the notion that a virus will stop spreading once the majority of people are immune to it, will only become practical after a Covid-19 vaccine is widely available.
Just 10% of the world’s population has been infected with the virus so far, Tedros noted, and any attempt to reach the 60% to 75% range most scientists say is required for herd immunity would lead to millions of extra Covid-19 infections, deaths and long-term complications that are still poorly understood.
Researchers also do not know how long people who recover from the coronavirus stay immune, and some former patients have been reinfected after they recover, making herd immunity an even riskier strategy, Tedros explained.
Other scientists have echoed Tedros’ concerns: Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s coronavirus advisor, warned in August that herd immunity is a “bad idea” and would inevitably cause the country’s coronavirus death toll to soar.
Big Number
1.02 million. That’s the number of Americans who could die from the coronavirus if the country tries to reach a 50% infection rate, according to projections from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. More than 13 million people would die if the entire world adopted a similar strategy. So far, the virus has killed more than 1 million people globally, including over 200,000 Americans.
Crucial Quote
“Herd immunity is achieved by protecting people from a virus, not by exposing them to it. Never in the history of public health has herd immunity been used as a strategy for responding to an outbreak, let alone a pandemic,” Tedros said. “Allowing a dangerous virus that we don’t fully understand to run free is simply unethical. It’s not an option.”
Key Background
Some U.S. politicians have appeared sympathetic to the idea of herd immunity, viewing it as an alternative to the social distancing rules most states have rolled out. President Trump claimed in an interview last month the virus will disappear through ”a herd mentality,” and several doctors including controversial White House Covid-19 advisor Scott Atlas have reportedly encouraged the Trump administration to consider herd immunity. Meanwhile, some have accused British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven of following a herd immunity strategy, though both leaders deny this. Most health experts have criticized the idea, instead supporting protective measures designed to slow the virus’ spread.
Further Reading
What people get wrong about herd immunity, explained by epidemiologists (Vox)
Who Is Dr. Scott Atlas? Trump’s New Covid Health Adviser Seen As Counter To Fauci And Birx (Forbes)
Trump Says With ‘A Herd Mentality’ Covid-19 Coronavirus Will Go Away (Forbes)
The Latest: WHO leader warns against herd immunity solution (Associated Press)
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