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Is herd immunity the best way to beat coronavirus?
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Herd immunity has worked to stop viruses before

Herd immunity is one of the ways viruses stop spreading.

The Argument

Herd immunity has proven to be effective against widespread viral infection in the past. An example of herd immunity was when the Zika virus started spreading. Those who gained immunity had a lifetime immunity against the Zika virus and therefore couldn’t pass the virus on to mosquitoes.[1] If immunity from the coronavirus lasts long enough, the number of coronavirus cases will decrease.

Counter arguments

There is no evidence that suggests that anyone can develop immunity against the coronavirus. According to the world health organization, the UK bough 3.5 million serology tests to see if any antibodies were made from people who were infected by the coronavirus.[2] Unfortunately, there has been no signs that antibodies have been made. Without evidence of antibodies, herd immunity might not be an option to fight against the coronavirus.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Herd immunity has worked in the past. [P2] Herd immunity has stopped the spread of the Zika virus. [P3] Herd immunity will help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P3] There is no evidence that people gain immunity after being infected with the coronavirus.

References

  1. https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-hlth-herd-immunity-zika-0830-story.html
  2. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8231669/There-no-evidence-people-survived-coronavirus-immunity-warns.html
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 15 Sep 2020 at 07:59 UTC