Whether or not Human Beings can Actually achieve zero infection of COVID-19?
At present, most scientists agree that in order to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, we need to take strict control measures, including effective contact tracing, testing and isolation, and Maintain social distance, wear masks, etc., and countries such as South Korea, China, and New Zealand have successfully used this method to successfully suppress the spread and spread of the virus. Some people even called for a method of zeroing out COVID-19 patients in an attempt to eliminate the virus, rather than curb its spread.
New Zealand seems to have succeeded at
this point, but after 100 days of no new cases, new cases of infection
appeared. And from international travel and other unknown sources. Although the
adoption of the above control measures can flatten the number of infected
districts and counties, it does not seem feasible to achieve zero COVID-19
infection.
Is it impossible to achieve full freedom from of Coronavirus disease?
It may be possible for some island countries. Take New Zealand as an example, it must prevent the virus from being re-imported.
Of course, this may require long-term and strict travel restrictions, and very strict nucleic acid tests are performed on passengers before and after travel.
Given that people's interest in extending border closures is not great, and the
control measures close to the community are not enough to eliminate the virus,
it seems impossible to achieve zero infection at present, but it may be
possible if we use different methods in the future .
Which is the most effective way to suppress COVID-19?
The most effective way to suppress COVID-19 infection is to use the natural defense mechanism of the human body, that is, the immune system.
Recovery from the virus infection process is usually related to the body’s immunity, so whether it can be protected after being infected with SARS-CoV-2
The body is not re-infected by the virus. Researchers are not clear at present, but there are few cases of re-infection. Most of the infected people will produce antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and some asymptomatic infected people may not produce antibodies. But the infection will still activate the body’s immune system T cells, thus providing a substitute
The defense mechanism,
therefore, it seems that infection produces immunity in most people, at least
in the short term.
Should coronavirus be allowed to spread in the population to allow the development of herd immunity?
Knowing this mechanism, some scientists have suggested that the virus should be allowed to spread in the population to allow the development of herd immunity, while protecting the elderly and susceptible people, so that immunity can be generated in a sufficient number of people.
To stop
the spread and spread of the disease, for a highly spreading virus like
measles, the threshold for spreading is as high as 90%-95%, while some people
think that for SARS-CoV-2, this threshold may be It will be as low as 50%, and
the consensus of experts is around 60%-70%.
However, the current proportion of people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and recover has not reached this level, and the results of antibody studies also show that about 3% of people in Dublin have been infected with the virus, and the proportion may be even higher in New York City. That is 23%.
But the higher infection rate in New York may lead to more deaths, even considering the larger population.
However, Sweden has adopted a liberal policy in controlling the epidemic, which has led to more cases.
Its death toll per million population is ten times that of neighboring Finland and Norway.
In these places, the impact of the second wave may be lower, because many people get infected per pound, but if the threshold of herd immunity is not reached, the entire population still seems unable to be protected, and attempts to reach this threshold through natural infection.
The consequence may be that more
high-risk populations will die, including the elderly, obese patients and
patients with underlying diseases; in addition, some infected people will
continue to develop long-term health complications, even if their The initial
infection is not too serious.
Therefore, for most people, the risks associated with pursuing herd immunity make it an unacceptable strategy for suppressing the virus, let alone eliminating it.
However, theoretically speaking, the realization of herd immunity through vaccination may allow us to reach the elusive zero infection situation.
In many developed countries, vaccines have reduced the incidence of diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and measles to nearly zero degree.
There are currently more than 200 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
under development, but if there is a vaccine that can completely eliminate
COVID-19, the threshold may be a bit high. Any vaccine needs to prevent the
disease and block the spread of the disease in the population. Aspect is very
effective.
The current fastest-developed COVID vaccine has turned its attention to a lower goal
To achieve at least 50% effectiveness, which is also the threshold for obtaining FDA approval. Scientists have developed a highly effective vaccine on the first attempt. It may be an optimistic idea, and the vaccine also needs to be effective for all age groups, and can be safely vaccinated for all people.
Safety is the key, because any problems in any age group will cause them to Vaccine confidence and willingness to vaccinate.
At the same time, it is necessary to produce enough vaccines to vaccinate more than 7 billion people around the world. This will take time; for example, AstraZeneca, which is developing a new crown vaccine, has now reached an agreement that it will produce 20% by the end of 2021.
100 million doses of vaccine. The impact of COVID-19 on humans may not be achieved overnight.
The
last case of natural smallpox occurred in 1977, 10 years have passed since the
WHO launched the smallpox eradication program, and the development of the first
smallpox vaccine has passed. It took nearly 200 years, and it took nearly 30
years from the initiative to eradicate polio to the eradication of polio in
areas other than Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Conclusion
Therefore, although an effective vaccine can provide humans with the best chance of zero infection of COVID-19, we should still remain realistic about what may happen. Although it is not unimaginable to eliminate the virus in most parts of the world, It may take a long time.
Share on Social Media to Help Someone who may be in Need of this Info >>
Post a Comment