There are different strategies to deal with the virus.

We view the current situation with concern. This open letter should get more attention:

We have also joined the following declaration and see a better way here:

THE GREAT BARRINGTON DECLARATION

As infectious disease epidemiologists and public health scientists, we have serious concerns about the detrimental physical and mental health effects of prevailing COVID-19 measures and recommend an approach we call FocusedProtection.

Coming from both the left and the right politically, and from around the world, we have dedicated our careers to protecting people. The current lockdown policies are having a devastating impact on public health in both the short and long term. The results, to name a few, include lower childhood immunization rates, worse cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings and worsening mental health – all of which will lead to increased excess mortality in years to come. The working class and younger members of society will be hit the hardest. Keeping students out of school is a grave injustice.

Maintaining these measures until a vaccine is available will cause irreparable damage, disproportionately affecting the underprivileged.

Fortunately, our understanding of the virus is growing. We know that the risk of dying from COVID-19 is more than a thousand times greater for the elderly and infirm than for the young. In fact, COVID-19 is less dangerous for children than many other ailments, including influenza.

As immunity builds in the population, the risk of infection decreases for everyone, including vulnerable groups. We know that all populations eventually reach herd immunity — that is, the point at which the rate of new infections is stable. This can be supported by a vaccine but is not dependent on it. Our goal should therefore be to minimize mortality and social harm until we achieve herd immunity.

The most sensitive approach, balancing the risks and benefits of achieving herd immunity, is to allow those who have minimal risk of dying to lead normal lives so they can build immunity to the virus through natural infection, while those who who are most at risk are better protected. We call this Focused Protection.

Adopting measures to protect vulnerable groups should be the central goal of public health responses to COVID-19. For example, nursing homes should use staff with acquired immunity and conduct frequent PCR tests on other staff and all visitors. Staff turnover should be minimized. Retired people who live at home should have groceries and other essentials delivered to their homes. If possible, they should meet family members outside rather than inside. A comprehensive and detailed set of measures, including measures for multigenerational households, can be implemented and are within the capabilities and capabilities of the public health system.

Those who are not vulnerable should be allowed to return to normal life immediately. Simple hygiene measures such as washing hands and staying at home when sick should be practiced by everyone to lower the herd immunity threshold. Schools and universities should be open for face-to-face classes. Extracurricular activities such as B. Sport, should be resumed. Low-risk young adults should work normally and not from home. Restaurants and other businesses should be able to open. Arts, music, sports and other cultural activities should resume. People who are more vulnerable can participate if they so choose, while society as a whole enjoys the protection afforded to the vulnerable by those who have built herd immunity.

On October 4, 2020, in Great Barrington, USA, this declaration was drafted and signed by:

dr Martin Kulldorff, professor of medicine at Harvard University, a biostatistician, and epidemiologist with expertise in detecting and monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccine safety evaluations.

dr Sunetra Gupta, professor at Oxford University, an epidemiologist with expertise in immunology, vaccine development, and mathematical modeling of infectious diseases.

dr Jay Bhattacharya, professor at Stanford University Medical School, a physician, epidemiologist, health economist, and public health policy expert focusing on infectious diseases and vulnerable populations.

sign:

Translation by RS_Globalization Services GmbH & Co. KG

Contact: info@gbdeclaration.org

https://gbdeclaration.org/the-great-barrington-declaration/