The words of Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK government’s medical adviser, come as a shock: “60% of Britons will have to contract the Coronavirus to develop herd immunity”.
Europe has finally understood the huge coronavirus threat. After the criticism of Italy for taking overly strict measures, EU governments are starting to take measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. In France, Macron has ordered the closure of schools and universities, while in Germany the federal government has ordered the closure of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. Only England, for now, still seems to underestimate the Coronavirus. Indeed, in the last few hours, Sir Patrick Wallace, one of the highest medical authorities in Boris Jhonson’s government, gave a shocking interview that caused a stir. “60% of British people – said Vallace – will have to contract the Coronavirus to develop herd immunity”.
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UK, Wallance shock: “The coronavirus has only mild symptoms”
In an interview with Sky News, Wallace said, “Yes, Coronavirus is a bad disease, but in most cases it has only mild symptoms. The virus will be seasonal and will return next winter. That’s why it’s important to develop herd immunity to keep the virus under control in the long term. According to Vallance, herd immunity should be acquired through coronavirus infection and not through mass vaccination, as is usually the case. Also because a vaccine for Covid19 should not be ready for a year at the earliest. “With 60% of the population infected with the virus, we would have herd immunity,” Vallance told Sky News. Although not scientifically unfounded, Vallance’s theory would have shocking effects. The UK population is 67 million, 60% are around 40 million. Calculating (downwards) a coronavirus mortality rate of 1%, the deaths should be at least 400,000. A price too high to pay to acquire herd immunity, not to mention the repercussions on hospital facilities and public health in the UK.
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