New Trump pandemic adviser pushes controversial 'herd immunity' strategy, worrying public health off

[demmiblue]

Source: WaPo

One of President Trump’s top medical advisers is urging the White House to embrace a controversial “herd immunity” strategy to combat the pandemic, which would entail allowing the coronavirus to spread through most of the population to quickly build resistance to the virus, while taking steps to protect those in nursing homes and other vulnerable populations, according to five people familiar with the discussions.

The administration has already begun to implement some policies along these lines, according to current and former officials as well as experts, particularly with regard to testing.

The approach’s chief proponent is Scott Atlas, a neuroradiologist from Stanford’s conservative Hoover Institution, who joined the White House earlier this month as a pandemic adviser. He has advocated that the United States adopt the model Sweden has used to respond to the virus outbreak, according to these officials, which relies on lifting restrictions so the healthy can build up immunity to the disease rather than limiting social and business interactions to prevent the virus from spreading.

Sweden’s handling of the pandemic has been heavily criticized by public health officials and infectious-disease experts as reckless — the country has among the highest infection and death rates in the world. It also hasn’t escaped the deep economic problems resulting from the pandemic.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-coronavirus-scott-atlas-herd-immunity/2020/08/30/925e68fe-e93b-11ea-970a-64c73a1c2392_story.html

[ananda]

1. With this virus there is NO herd immunity.

BoJo learned that to his own detriment.

This is like the common cold in that respect.

It mutates. You can get it again, etc.

[soothsayer]

2. Finally someone says what's been clear for some time

Such a reckless approach, this herd immunity, when you could simply choose to contain it.

[Roy Rolling]

3. Herd Disability is More Like It

So far, many are reporting disabling after effects. Being permanently disabled as the price to be immune to this year’s Coronavirus seems a bit pricey.

[Rural_Progressive]

18. Current numbers are showing that for each fatality there are 20 people suffering

long term to possibly permanent disability. This article addresses the current situation.

[link:https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/monumental-acknowledgment-cdc-reports-long-term-covid-19-patients-n1234814|

[C_U_L8R]

4. Suicide by quack.

[groundloop]

5. This fucker would argue for herd immunity from Polio

tRump has been doctor shopping again, he keeps looking until he finds one who says what he wants to hear.

They're not acknowledging the fact that this virus causes lasting damage to internal organs in many victims. Several professional athletes have had to end their careers because of this, imagine what it can do to average Americans who aren't in to physical condition.

Sweden has admitted that their approach was wrong, so why the hell would we want to follow them?

[Firestorm49]

8. Absolutely!

[BarbD]

6. Herd stupidity is more like it.

There will be: more deaths, more stress on health care system, more long time unemployment.

But, Trump and his enablers can justify their inaction and take no responsibility.

It's disgusting.

[LisaL]

7. Most likely you can't get herd immunity with this virus.

You can't get herd immunity to common cold viruses (some of which are corona viruses). Or flu.
Most likely covid doesn't lead to long lasting immunity, so any herd immunity ideas are a pipe dream.

[tanyev]

9. They seem to assume that Trump supporters will not be seriously affected by this.

[EndlessWire]

10. They've been talking about this

before Atlas came around. This is the Orange Asshole's idea, since the time he suggested to just let it wash over us. Now he's got a medical practitioner to make it pretty. I am ashamed of Atlas.

This is Trump's way of justifying DOING NOTHING. Don't spend a dime to help the People out. Steal their PPEs and turn them out to founder.

Is this who we want to lead us?? HELL, NO!! If we follow this model, there won't be enough ice rinks available to handle all the corpses.

I wanna know why he and his family have not come down with the virus. How is it that we never get lucky? Sure makes it tempting to postulate a conspiracy theory. Like, they got a vaccine in advance? Because, these POS white trash ain't the best of the herd...

Wear your masks! Wash your hands, and keep social distancing! Let's outlast these MFers! Go to the polls in November and vote these fascists OUT OF OFFICE!!!

[IronLionZion]

11. Herd immunity is mass vaccination

What they want is to kill off as many Americans as possible quickly for a virus that doesn't leave people with any immunity. People have gotten reinfected. People have been left with badly damaged heart, lungs, kidneys, etc. They are counting on people not realizing how many Americans have underlying health conditions where COVID will be their tipping point.

Sweden shows no signs of herd immunity but are seeing riots and civil unrest over their far right groups clashing with Muslim immigrants. So maybe we shouldn't try to emulate Sweden.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. As others have noted, the rhinoviruses and coronaviruses that cause the "common cold"

have NEVER offered any "herd immunity", so you can imagine the ridiculousness of this idea. And particularly given that other rhino/coronaviruses aren't causing kidney failures, heart damage, or neurological damage, and in COVID-19's case, often significant lung damage as a default for many people who contracted it, as well as bizarre blood clotting that have caused strokes in some otherwise healthy individuals.

[PSPS]

13. wow. "a neuroradiologist from Stanford's conservative Hoover Institution." wow.

[Yeehah]

14. Let 'em die!

We need profits!

[suegeo]

15. WTF does a neuroradiologist know about infectious disease?

I'd rather listen to someone who knows the science inside and out.

A neuroradiologist does not know this science inside and out.

[Moostache]

16. About the same thing a pseudo-reality TV 'star' knows about leadership...

Absolutely FUCKING NOTHING AT ALL!!!!

Jesus H. Christ crucified! My wife pointed out an approval poll this AM that said 31% still approve of Trump and all I could think was "how in the ever loving fuck is that not 13%?"

I weep for the future just knowing that so many Americans are just A-OK with batshit quackery and an imbecile in the Oval Office, just so long as they can claim they "owned the libs"... sickening.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

17. Republicanism is a death cult

[The Blue Flower]

19. We know now that re-infection can happen

So there is no such thing as herd immunity. Recovering from an infection doesn't make you immune.

[yaesu]

24. Good point, as I understand it immunity would be around 3 months for less healthy individuals

maybe a few months more for the healthiest population. If we get real leaders in the white house we may be able to control it in the second round. otherwise it will be 2020 all over again.

[LudwigPastorius]

20. If a vaccine is developed while he is still in office, I can only assume that...

Trump and his henchmen already have plans to only allow for its distribution in "red" states.


...because he's a treasonous criminal shitlicker.

[llashram]

21. this can't be rights

many, many more will die unnecessarily outside of us who were/are going to die from the mishandling of this virus, by the administration, already. It doesn't feel right. Key words for me 'conservative Hoover Institution' member. Dr or not.

[TomCADem]

22. Of Course It Is Scott Atlas....

...who Trump added because he is telling Trump what he likes to hear. It is a wonder that Trump has not added someone who promotes drinking bleach.

[yaesu]

23. I'm sure Hitler would be all for herd immunity too. nt