What it means is pretty simple, like the far less contagious flu, we will all get infected eventually… we are not social distancing or sheltering at home to avoid getting the virus, we are doing it to delay how long it takes for us to get it. Eventually, some experts have predicted over 70% will “get the virus”, my sense is it will be higher than that… So why are we ruining our economy and taking and losing lives to deferred health care and social ills that come into play through sheltering?

Good question…

For most Americans sheltering in place is a bad idea, it was worth trying when we did, but the idea no longer makes any sense. Instead it remains a good idea only for those most “at risk” in our society, but not only do they need to shelter in place, but those providing them services (like workers in a nursing home) must practice extreme infection spread protocols.

For the rest of America, slowly opening our economy up is our best chance to protect those most at risk until we have a vaccine. It will insure that the health care system is not overwhelmed as the vast majority of us develop immune systems that have dealt with this virus. We have two tiers to our immune system. The firsts is the general (or Innate) immune system designed for whatever the body encounters, the second is and our specific (or Adaptive) immune systems that produces “specific” antibodies to target a specific virus.

Specific immune responses are triggered by antigens. … The immune system responds to antigens by producing cells that directly attack the pathogen, or by producing special proteins called antibodies. Antibodies attach to an antigen and attract cells that will engulf and destroy the pathogen.

The more “healthy” people who have and recover from the virus, the more herd immunity develops and those same people can serve as “donors” of specific antibodies for the virus, which appears to be one of the most promising therapeutic treatments.

So what it really means is we have no reason to “fear” Covid 19 unless we are in the “at risk” group. The same is true with any disease. The “at risk” group should take precautions. Right now someone my age (65) should do everything I can to be as healthy as possible and practice social distancing to minimize my chance of getting the virus. In contrast, my youngest daughter will hopefully be headed to college next year and I have less fear about what will happen if she is infected with the virus, then I do of her dying in a car accident or some other tragedy… we live life everyday accepting the risks of life as part of life… it is one reason life is so precious because it is not only guaranteed not to go on forever… but each day is special…