Pass the ‘Rona
For many GenX-er’s there was a certain kind of playdate in which we may have partaken as children in the 70’s and 80’s.
Chickenpox parties.
At these gatherings, healthy children mingled with varicella virus-infected children as a means for the well kids to contract the illness and thus gain immunity.
These gatherings were an attempt at establishing herd immunity in the absence of a vaccine for the illness, which was launched in 1995.
Whether you attended these so-called parties, or just contracted this highly infectious disease on your own by capturing a droplet from an infected kid, touching their skin, or their clothing, you were likely down for a week or two, had a fever, and developed its signature red sores, and now you probably have the scars to prove it.
Did these parties help achieve herd immunity?
No.
The varicella vaccine accomplished that.
So, what’s so wrong about at least aiming for herd immunity by say, letting all of today’s kids mingle to pass ‘round the ‘Rona?
Well, for starters, Covid-19 has the potential to render its victims’ lungs useless and kill them, or leave long-lasting vascular damage for those who survive it. Sure, the vast majority of people have milder cases and recover, but wouldn’t the potential of the worst case scenario give people pause?
Did chickenpox’s potential to cause skin and soft tissue bacterial infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis stop parents from corralling their kids with sick ones?
No.
People will do what they want. They will take the current unseen enemy seriously or they will not. When the Covid-19 vaccine becomes available, people will take it.
Or not.
Those who do not, I imagine, just can’t wait for the party to continue.
Party on.
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Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
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