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Five thousand experts from around world blast ‘damaging’ Covid lockdowns & urge leaders to target herd immunity
THOUSANDS of the world’s top experts have demanded an end to lockdowns - instead calling for the shielding of vulnerable people so the young build herd immunity.
They say they have "grave concerns" about the damage caused by lockdown and that most people could safely return to normal life while researchers continue to develop a vaccine.
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But those at much greater risk from Covid, such as the elderly and the long-term sick, would be shielded.
A petition calling for a change of policy was started by experts from the Universities of Oxford, Harvard and Stanford.
So far more than 2,400 scientists and 2,800 doctors have called for their approach - called "Focused Protection" - to be implemented.
Another 45,000 members of public have also added their names.
The experts claim it would be a major boost to the economy and most people’s lives and that "herd immunity" will eventually be reached.
It would see the full resumption of sporting fixtures, the reopening of theatres, a return to offices and no pub curfews.
It says: “Keeping these measures in place until a vaccine is available will cause irreparable damage, with the underprivileged disproportionately harmed.
“Fortunately, our understanding of the virus is growing.
“We know that vulnerability to death from Covid-19 is more than a thousand-fold higher in the old and infirm than the young.
“Indeed, for children, Covid-19 is less dangerous than many other harms, including influenza.
“As immunity builds in the population, the risk of infection to all – including the vulnerable – falls.
'FOCUSED PROTECTION'
“We know that all populations will eventually reach herd immunity and that this can be assisted by (but is not dependent upon) a vaccine.
“Our goal should therefore be to minimize mortality and social harm until we reach herd immunity.
“The most compassionate approach that balances the risks and benefits of reaching herd immunity, is to allow those who are at minimal risk of death to live their lives normally to build up immunity to the virus through natural infection, while better protecting those who are at highest risk.
“We call this Focused Protection.”
Keeping these measures in place until a vaccine is available will cause irreparable damage, with the underprivileged disproportionately harmed
The petition is called the Great Barrington Declaration and expresses “grave concerns” about current policies.
It is named after Barrington in the US, where it was drafted. British experts are among the signatories.
They warn the measures are having a “devastating” impact on physical and mental health and will cause “irreparable damage”.
Restrictions have led to lower childhood vaccination rates, worsening heart disease outcomes and fewer cancer screenings.
These will lead to more deaths in years to come, with the working class and young people most affected, they add.
RESUME LIFE AS NORMAL
The declaration says pensioners should shop online and meet relatives outside. Care home staff should be regularly tested.
It continues: “Those who are not vulnerable should immediately be allowed to resume life as normal.
“Simple hygiene measures, such as hand washing and staying home when sick should be practised by everyone to reduce the herd immunity threshold.
“Schools and universities should be open for in-person teaching.
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"Extracurricular activities, such as sports, should be resumed.
“Young low-risk adults should work normally, rather than from home.
“Restaurants and other businesses should open. Arts, music, sport and other cultural activities should resume.
“People who are more at risk may participate if they wish, while society as a whole enjoys the protection conferred upon the vulnerable by those who have built up herd immunity.”
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Prof Jeremy Rossman, from University of Kent, acknowledged current restrictions are having a significant impact but disagrees with the Declaration.
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He warned it may not be possible to protect the vulnerable or to develop herd immunity and highlighted the plight of young people with so-called long-Covid.
He added: “While there is clearly a need to support and ease the physical and mental health burdens many are suffering under, the proposed declaration is both unlikely to succeed and puts the long-term health of many at risk.”
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