2019-nCoV Coronovirus (COVID-19]

With all respiratory diseases, the only thing that stops the disease is herd immunity. About 80% of the people need to have had contact with the virus, and the majority of them won’t even have recognized that they were infected, or they had very, very mild symptoms, especially if they are children. So, it’s very important to keep the schools open and kids mingling to spread the virus to get herd immunity as fast as possible, and then the elderly people, who should be separated, and the nursing homes should be closed during that time, can come back and meet their children and grandchildren after about 4 weeks when the virus has been exterminated….

We are experiencing all sorts of counterproductive consequences of not well-thought-through policy….

Well, we will see maybe a total of fewer cases—that is possible. However, we will see more cases among the elderly, because we have prevented the school children from creating herd immunity. And so, in the end, we will see more death because the school children don’t die, it’s the elderly people who die, we will see more death because of this social distancing….

If we had herd immunity now, there couldn’t be a second wave in autumn. Herd immunity lasts for a couple of years, typically, and that’s why the last SARS epidemic we had in 2003, it lasted 15 years for enough people to become susceptible again so that a new epidemic could spread of a related virus. Because typically, there is something that requires cross-immunity, so if you were exposed to one of the SARS viruses, you are less likely to fall ill with another SARS virus. So, if we had herd immunity, we wouldn’t have a second wave. However, if we are preventing herd immunity from developing, it is almost guaranteed that we have a second wave as soon as either we stop the social distancing or the climate changes with winter coming or something like that….

[Extreme reactions] cost the US taxpayer $2 trillion, in addition to everything else that it costs, but it also has severe consequences for our social life, and depression is definitely something that we will be researching. I can say for myself, walking through New York City right now is depressing….

We should be resisting, and we should, at least, hold our politicians responsible. We should have a discussion with our politicians. One thing we definitely need to do, and that would be safe and effective, is opening schools. Let the children spread the virus among themselves, which is a necessity to get herd immunity. That was probably one of the most destructive actions the government has done. We should focus on the elderly and separating them from the population where the virus is circulating. We should not prevent the virus from circulating among school children, which is the fastest way to create herd immunity….

And the final question and answer: “So, is there anything else you want to say about this that—what’s been aggravating you the most? Or what would you like people to know?”

I think people in the United States and maybe other countries as well are more docile than they should be. People should talk with their politicians, question them, ask them to explain, because if people don’t stand up to their rights, their rights will be forgotten. I’m Knut Wittkowski. I was at the Rockefeller University, I have been an epidemiologist for 35 years, and I have been modeling epidemics for 35 years. It’s a pleasure to have the ability to help people to understand, but it’s a struggle to get heard.
Stand Up for Your Rights, says Professor Knut M. Wittkowski

 

I got a message that something was edited, but I'm not sure what it was.

 

huh? I'm not seeing anything ..

 

@Orison

Ok, that we get herd immunity after the majority has had corona is speculation. Far from certain.
That most people won't even notice they had corona is uncertain and could even be wrong. Going by the info i have taken notice of so far, most people will at least experience symptoms similar to a flu, and often the heaviest flu they had. A significant amount of people who arent old and in normal health will even die (as is already happening). And by letting the system overwhelm itself even more by not locking down, more people in the non risk groups will die needlessly. This is certain. What will happen longterm is less certain and may happen regardless of quitting the lockdown (how would it not?).

 

MeAgain is actively modding here too.

 

I'm considering social distancing as well as shelter-in-place for the long term. At least until there is a vaccine.

 

There may never be a vaccine, though.

 

You should at least until the experts consensus on it changes. I'm likely making some changes at some point, but sensibly. Like meeting up and getting close with someone of which i know has practiced it succesfully like me.

 

I thought they were saying 18 months...

 

Same with herd immunity..

 

It's a cold. Not in terms of severity, but based on what the virus is genetically close to.

We're waiting around on a cure to the common cold.

 

Yeah. I guess that makes sense. For the foreseeable future though I am not going to go out.

I am planning on some take out though.

 

True.

Well... The common cold is thought to be uncurable because one is often catching a different strain from one year or season to the next. I think, anyway. I assume it's theoretically possible to vaccinate for one strain? If they can figure it out?

 

I don't completely disagree with him, but at some point, diminishing the severity of a virus that is killing more than 1/4 Americans daily is indistinguishable from conspiracy theory.

 

That's one thing indeed. The other thing (which comes down to discussing mod decisions) cannot be expanded on in public threads. But I will continue to adress double standards there in PM, no worries.

 

I have a problem with this figure. We will all be dead by Thursday?

 

2.8 million deaths a year, is 7708 people a day. 1900 deaths is 24.67% of that. 1/4 deaths a day are being caused by COVID-19, not 25% of all Americans are dying of course.

FastStats

 

It's a rumor, but I hear traffic deaths are down considerably. The weird ironies we have seen are multiplying in effect.

 

Isn't it nice when people actually bother to answer other peoples questions?

 

Whining because you dont get your way?