We call this Focused Protection.Īdopting measures to protect the vulnerable should be the central aim of public health responses to COVID-19. The most compassionate approach that balances the risks and benefits of reaching herd immunity, is to allow those who are at minimal risk of death to live their lives normally to build up immunity to the virus through natural infection, while better protecting those who are at highest risk.
Our goal should therefore be to minimize mortality and social harm until we reach herd immunity. the point at which the rate of new infections is stable – and that this can be assisted by (but is not dependent upon) a vaccine. We know that all populations will eventually reach herd immunity – i.e. Indeed, for children, COVID-19 is less dangerous than many other harms, including influenza.Īs immunity builds in the population, the risk of infection to all – including the vulnerable – falls. We know that vulnerability to death from COVID-19 is more than a thousand-fold higher in the old and infirm than the young. Keeping these measures in place until a vaccine is available will cause irreparable damage, with the underprivileged disproportionately harmed.įortunately, our understanding of the virus is growing. Keeping students out of school is a grave injustice. The results (to name a few) include lower childhood vaccination rates, worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings and deteriorating mental health – leading to greater excess mortality in years to come, with the working class and younger members of society carrying the heaviest burden.
Current lockdown policies are producing devastating effects on short and long-term public health. The Great Barrington Declaration – As infectious disease epidemiologists and public health scientists we have grave concerns about the damaging physical and mental health impacts of the prevailing COVID-19 policies, and recommend an approach we call Focused Protection.Ĭoming from both the left and right, and around the world, we have devoted our careers to protecting people.
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