Could this be a possible, highly dangerous, COVID-19 situation facing us in the future?

[Towlie]

Sweden Says Covid Immunity Can Last 6 Months After Infection

Sweden’s top health authority says people who have had the novel coronavirus are likely to be immune for at least six months after being infected, whether they’ve developed antibodies or not.

But here's the part that scares me:

But the agency also said that people deemed to be immune can still act as carriers of the virus in society, and must therefore continue to observe social distancing and hygiene guidelines.

I fear this may be too complicated or require non-existent empathy from many of those declared immune, who may run around maskless, not maintaining distancing, feeling secure that life for them is now "normal."

"I don't need to wear a mask, I'm immune!"

[Runningdawg]

1. I have absolutely NO scientific data to back this up, its an old nurses hunch.

Once you have it, you always have it. You can go into "remission" where you feel fine, maybe even test negative, but unlike other conditions where this is possible, this one is always contagious. Not sure how this would be handled, but I think I can say with some degree of certainty, this virus has changed and will continue to change life as we know it.

[redstatebluegirl]

3. Just like other super bugs like MRSA.

[Solomon]

4. I keep saying it's like getting an incurable std without screwing.

[RKP5637]

6. Yeah! Good analogy! n/t

[Runningdawg]

8. Yes and so far, no data on the effects on fertility

I've only read the first book, never seen the series The Handmaid's Tale. But in that book, infertility was caused by an unnamed virus of which we are told few details. Atwood may turn out to be a more reliable soothsayer than Orwell.

[obamanut2012]

7. like ebv

[Hugin]

9. How can they claim any sort of immunity without antibodies?

I thought that's how it works... Still pushing the bogus "Herd Immunity" hogwash there.

I'll be viewing the whole Nobel Prize thing through jaundiced eyes.

[Phoenix61]

11. People do have antibodies but but there is more

to the immune response. T-cells and other cells play a role.

[PTWB]

12. What is your view on herd immunity?

[Hugin]

13. It is not as simple as it's made out to be...

As an example, research indicates that the reason 90% of the indigenous Americans died of disease within a few decades after the so-called first contact is because pandemics often occur in waves of different diseases.

The first highly transmissible/low mortality disease passes through the herd (in this case it's HUMAN BEINGS we're talking about). While the herd is still weakened and recovering from this first wave, a second less transmissible/high mortality disease passes through which is really responsible for most of the fatalities. Usually, through pneumonia.

In the case of the Americas there is evidence there were three waves of disease over the 40 years subsequent to first contact. One of those diseases is thought to have originated in the Americas.

To view a pandemic as a singular event and not as part of a system is a grave mistake.

[uponit7771]

2. The swedish doctors credibility isn't there for me

[RKP5637]

5. I think until an effective vaccine is developed and effectively distributed this is going to be

all over the map. For me, I am always going to wear an effective mask when out and about. There are so many truths and half-info flying around it's hard for me to determine hard core factual info. I go by Dr. Fauci.

[yonder]

10. There is still so much we don't know about this virus.

I'd expect in 10 years we will know so much more. We need to keep doing the things we know (or suspect) will help until we can get our arms around it.