So, herd immunity. What percentage need to catch Covid 19?

[somanydevices]

I've read 60% or 70% of the population need to get it, does anyone know?

If 1% die, then that's about 400,000 deaths I think, is that about right? Or 5% would be 2 million.

That's what we're aiming for? This is nuts surely?

No that is not what is being recommended by nearly everyone. Nearly everyone is saying put lots of measures in place to eradicate this virus.
And some countries are managing to do this. Boris is just not prepared to do what it takes.

@alloutoffucks if the country shuts down for 3 months who will produce/deliver your food, who will manage power plants, who will stop crime, who will care for the sick?

But even if a country does wipe out the virus due to immunity or death, it only takes one visitor with it and its back. Would you close borders indefinitely?

The whole country does not shut down. Essential services still run. Other countries are doing it. It is hard to do all this, but it can be done. It just takes political will.

They are also working on a vaccine which would be the best outcome, but experts have already said it’s unlikely to be for at least a year. So worrying and yes I’m very concerned about my family. But I still believe this is the best of many bad plans

We have a list of illnesses that are communicable diseases. As soon as one person is detected with it in the country, they have to isolate. This already happens with a range of diseases. It is not new.
Plus hopefully we will have a vaccine.

You think this is the best plan even though every other Government, WHO and many many scientists disagree? Okay, so Britain is the only one who has it right and everyone else is wrong?
If you believe that fine. I don't.

Who is going to manage the essential services? If one becomes ill then many will and then they will not be able to work. Who will take their place? Is it fair you think they should work and expose themselves while you sit at home ‘safe’? Working extra hours and having families of their own. So much for the we’re all in it together mentality

This is my last post as I can’t see we’ll ever agree on this. Best wishes to you and your family 🙂

Also we need to remember when the talk about the 1% death rate. The vast majority of those deaths would be elderly with underlying health conditions.

If those very people were on lock down for 4 months while the rest of us got the virus, the death rate would be much much lower than 1%.

The virus doesn't just pick 1 out of every hundred people to kill... it just so happens 1 out of every 100 that get it will tend to be an elderly person with underlying health issues.

Am I missing something here?

Only the fact that Boris Johnson is not God and cannot stop the spread of a virus that is already spread throughout the entire UK. The horse has already bolted. There is no stopping it, only slowing it.
So no, he’s not “decided” the death rate of a virus, nor is he a “megalomaniac murderer” get a fucking grip. It’s a pandemic. Not a Boris Johnson sanctioned biological weapons attack.

I am not getting where this idea of 'herd immunity' is coming from.

There have been cases in China and most recently confirmed in Japan that this can re-infect people. Meaning they can test positive after previously testing negative. It could lie dormant like herpes, or be biphasic like anthrax. I would hope not, but it's a distinct possibility.

Our government are taking a big, big, gamble.

*they can test positive after 'recovering' and testing negative, and go on to get symptoms again.

Other countries are doing it.

Yes well, Italy did it (lockdown) and look at how many extra deaths occurred. You keep saying “other countries did it” but neglecting to mention just how many people died as a result.

It’s elderly AND those with health conditions of heart disease, asthma/Copd and diabetes. So middle aged and young people ARE in fact dying. They just tell you these people have underlying conditions so as to prevent panicking.

Do they actually know that we build enough immunity to the virus to actually be able to sustain “herd” immunity? Will it be enough to protect against a mutation?

China is worried about a 2nd wave of cases.

What the government are aiming for is that the lowest risk groups become infected and become immune, therefore can not infect the higher risk category. Hence the death rate will reduce.

They are gambling our lives on an untested. Did they ask any of us our permission?

The reason they're gambling our lives is they say we won't do what's required to stop the virus if asked so they're not going to bother.

When people realise the government is actively trying to infect us (eg if they force schools to stay open) don't you think that's going to cause more unrest among the population who've seen loves ones die to this, than if they asked us to pull together to fight it?

Do they actually know that we build enough immunity to the virus to actually be able to sustain “herd” immunity? Will it be enough to protect against a mutation?

AFAIK they've been asked to reveal the science they're working on but haven't yet.