An epidemiologist has broken down why deliberately getting infected with the coronavirus in a bid to become immune after recovery is a “really horrible idea right now.”
Bauer listed seven reasons for not attempting to contract the virus on purpose, noting how some people had suggested avoiding physical distancing or hosting parties where they expose themselves to the contagion.
Immunity “isn’t a sure thing” and “reinfection could be possible,” said Bauer.
The long-term consequences of the condition on its victims was also not yet truly known, she added, cautioning “the virus could continue living inside you” and “even the young can be hospitalized.”
Bauer highlighted how so-called “mild” cases of the virus are “hardly mild” and there is “no shortcut” or easy way to boost immunity.
“While it is hard to be patient, the best way out of this will likely be much clearer to us in a month or two than it is now,” Bauer concluded. “In the meantime, it is important that we don’t take unnecessary risks with unknown consequences. If we can avoid infection, we need to do exactly that.”
A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus
