Posted on 08/02/2021 8:56:21 AM PDT by House Atreides
It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. It may not be next week. It may not be this month, when the rapid ascension of the Delta variant in the United States could send confirmed daily case counts spiking to 200,000 or more before settling down again. It may not even be next year. But someday, you will almost certainly be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
This uncomfortable fact may come as a surprise to many Americans, particularly to those who have spent hours sanitizing surfaces and groceries, who have dutifully adorned a mask even when not required to do so, and who have made the simple, science-backed decision to get vaccinated. SARS-CoV-2 has already spread around the world, infecting hundreds of millions or more. The genie is out of the bottle, and it is not going back in.
“We will be dealing with this virus forever," Dr. Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, said in an interview one year ago.
Osterholm has been a sage throughout the pandemic, and his words then remain prescient now.
"Effective and safe vaccines... will be very important, even critical tools, in fighting it," he said. "But the whole world is going to be experiencing COVID-19 ‘til the end of time. We’re not going to be vaccinating our way out of this to eight-plus billion people in the world right now.... We’ve really got to come to grips with actually living with this virus, for at least my lifetime…"
Since speaking those words, Osterholm hasn't changed his mind.
“ Eradicating this virus right now from the world is a lot like trying to plan the construction of a stepping-stone pathway to the Moon. It’s unrealistic,” he told Nature in February of this year.
Olsterholm's view now represents the consensus of scientific opinion. In January, Nature surveyed more than 100 experts working on the coronavirus about whether the virus could be eradicated. Nine out of ten said that it is "likely" or "very likely" that the coronavirus will continue to circulate amongst the human population as an endemic infection. Most see it becoming something like the flu, for which we will require yearly vaccinations to be protected, or joining the ranks of other coronaviruses to cause respiratory infections that collectively fit under the title of the "common cold". In the latter scenario, people may get reinfected multiple times over their lives. This theory seems the most likely to play out.
"The virus sticks around, but once people develop some immunity to it — either through natural infection or vaccination — they won’t come down with severe symptoms... Scientists consider this possible because that’s how the four endemic coronaviruses, called OC43, 229E, NL63 and HKU1, behave," Nicky Phillips wrote for Nature.
In either of these scenarios, it's extremely likely that you will eventually be infected. Adults get the flu about once every five years. Many times they are unaware, because the infection is asymptomatic. By the time children are roughly three years old, 65% will have been infected with coronavirus 229E. It's reasonable to predict that some years down the road, SARS-CoV-2 will be just as, if not more, prevalent. Even the vaccinated will likely be infected at some point, and that's okay.
There was some hope that the incredibly effective vaccines we have, particularly BioNTech/Pfizer's and Moderna's mRNA shots, would grant sterilizing immunity, preventing infection altogether. And studies suggest that they do, surprisingly well. But it seems that this form of immunity wanes over time and lessens versus new variants, particularly the Delta variety that's been all over the news of late. The good news is that the vaccines remain extremely protective against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. If and when booster shots are available, we'll be able to refresh our immunity.
The knowledge that a SARS-CoV-2 infection is essentially inevitable might be, for some, panic-inducing, perhaps prompting a desire to live a bubbled life. It shouldn't. That's because we have the tools to be free from both fear and, for the vast majority, harm: America's remarkable arsenal of safe and effective vaccines. Again, even if the vaccines don't prevent infection, that's okay! As of July 26th, less than 0.004% of fully vaccinated people experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization and less than 0.001% died from the disease, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As Dr. Osterholm said in May, "For vaccinated individuals, in a private home or wherever, party hard. Enjoy it. You’ve earned it. You can feel safe in doing that, and that’s what we need to help people understand."
Whether you choose to get vaccinated or not, LIVE YOUR LIFE! Keep your immunity and health up… not because of COVID-19 but simply because it’s a good idea. If you want to mask up (which is largely worthless, IMHO) do so BUT DON’T TRY TO FORCE OTHERS TO MASK UP.
HERD IMMUNITY will be achieved, sooner or later. Until then, the virus will flow through our communities whether it flows slowly or fast it will continue until it’s essentially of no concern.
Doom! Doooooooom!
You’re probably going to get it, and not even know you have it. It’s just that serious! /s
I have the antibodies and have no idea when I caught it.
I’ve been taking Quercetin, K2, D3, NAC for a year.
So why are we wasting taxpayers money on "free" vaccinations? And why should we wear masks since they don't work either?
The whole gdamn system needs burning down.
Well, the government has infected, and adversely affected my life for the past almost 74 years, so I think I can handle the virus.
My comment is not about the severity of the virus.
But my comment is this: We shut down our society for 1.5 years because of something like the Common Cold. And people are realizing this. It’s not going away. The vaccine isn’t a magic cure. We will always have this with us. And the solution?? Shut down society even harder. For as long as it takes.
Idiots.
Exposed to I can believe. But has there ever been a virus in history that infected EVERYONE? The stats I’ve seen estimated only about 25% were infected with Spanish Flu for example.
This hysteria is disproportionate to the occurrence and impact of the current strains. Coronavirus will continue to mutate over our lifetimes. Some strains will be worse than others but it has always been and will always be there.
And when it does, 99.96% of you will be fine. The most vulnerable amongst us should use common sense and make appropriate decisions regarding their health and personal safety. Basically the same activity we had prior to scumbag pedophile socialists dictating idiot decrees while touching themselves, the blithering f@tards…
“ I have the antibodies and have no idea when I caught it.
I’ve been taking Quercetin, K2, D3, NAC for a year.”
*******************************************************
I’ve been taking those supplements for the past year also. I did recently stop the NAC because of its expense.
Everybody in my family now has immunity to COVID-19, most through natural infection (which likely gives the broadest immunity, IMHO). My wife and I have both been vaccinated as has one of our daughters who is a RN working in hospital intensive care and got the Moderna in January.
Every contact we may have with the virus now simply strengthens our immunity.
So buy a snootful of XClear nasal spray from the pharmacy, burn your masks, and take a hit before entering a business, and one after you leave.
I am not a physician, but I’m guessing you will either develop natural immunity after CoVID symptoms, or not.
And if you have been inoculated with the DNA-affecting ‘jab’, enjoy the ride, and keep your regrets to yourself. Hopefully it proves to be an eye-opener for you, should you ever have a free election again.
“So why are we wasting taxpayers money on ‘free’ vaccinations?”
Silly rabbit. It’s not about the virus. It’s never been about the virus.
“You Are (Probably) Going to Be Infected With the Coronavirus”...
...and we’ll always have Dr. Fauci. /s
Yeah, right.
Unless you’re one of the immune from the SARS virus several years ago.
More fear porn by the left.
Good point, Our Federal government is a far worse infection than COVID is. I’ve had COVID and I’ve “had” Federal Government. Believe me, Federal government is a whole lot worse!!!!!!
I think most have already been infected.
Right there this article defines itself as junk science, pablum to control the masses.
“ There was some hope that the incredibly effective vaccines we have, particularly BioNTech/Pfizer’s and Moderna’s mRNA shots, would grant sterilizing immunity, preventing infection altogether. And studies suggest that they do, surprisingly well.
……………………………………………………………….
Right there this article defines itself as junk science, pablum to control the masses.”
********************************************************************************
The Moderna vaccine has been shown to be about 90% effective at preventing DETECTABLE (by PCR TESTING) infection. Most of the DETECTABLE infections after full vaccination have been either ASYMPTOMATIC or MILD.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.