Quote:
Originally Posted by Klatu
I am not scientist, but it seems to me that social distancing is more to protect others from us than the reverse. Washing hands and not touching faces is to protect us. Does good nutrition help? Always. Does exercise? Always. Will it keep us from getting the virus? Not completely. However, there is so much we do not know about the virus that it is very dangerous to assume we know everything we need to know. Only when it is over will we know for sure. And that is some ways off.
Herd immunity the answer? Sweden is trying that; let's see how that plays out. Antibody testing? Very important. It could show us if we have been infected, have shown no symptoms, and are likely immune. That too is down the road.
Let's just stick with this a little longer. Be prudent. It won't kill us to social distance and stay close to home. Some areas in the country are going to be able to reopen their interactions, especially businesses, pretty quickly. We can't set the same dates and restrictions for everyone in the nation. If South Dakota can reopen, except in a couple of counties, let the local leaders decide. We do not want to throw our nation into a prolonged depression needlessly
And realize not everyone is working for our best interests. The press feasts on death, mayhem and the end of the world. Rosy predictions do not attract eyeballs; catastrophes do. And crises are perfect opportunities for scoundrels posing as politicians to accrue power, expand government and spend money like drunken sailors. We need to be prudent and wise and don't jump to conclusions too quickly.
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In order for herd immunity to be effective, around 70% of the population has to be immune. So now we just have to find out how many people are immune, and we can plan for the future.
Sadly, there's no way to test 100% of the population to find out if 70% of them are immune, at the present time. Once a vaccine is developed, you could potentially create 70% immunity as long as 70% of the population agrees to be vaccinated.
None of that is going to happen in the next month. So in the meantime, you need to wash your hands, don't touch your face, social distance yourself, wear a mask if you can't social distance, and cough into your elbow if you have to cough and are near other people.