Widespread antibody build up is the basis of herd immunity. What is the situation with Covid 19?
The common flu mutates so new antibodies have to be formed each time. Flu vaccines are developed to cope. With Covid 19 there is no vaccine, antibodies are thought to have limited lifespan. This means cycles of infection with reliance on treatment, health problems for vulnerable groups, even death. Luckily flu vaccine is continuing to be relatively effective but not perfect as there are deaths from the effects on susceptible people with other health issues.
Covid 19 data suggests deaths significantly higher than flu. So, what is the acceptable death rate?
That is the not talked about factor in lockdown decisions. How many deaths are we prepared to accept?
Smoking....deaths directly associated with it plus the long term effects on health and early death require similar decisions.
Speeding...the same. Lots of debate for this though!
