A controversial declaration by a group of scientists suggests schools and businesses around the world should reopen to expedite immunity from COVID-19.
Other eminent researchers, including America’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, have criticized the declaration, saying to do so would cost more lives. Fauci called the idea “total nonsense.”
On Monday, the head of the World Health Organization also warned against the idea that herd immunity might be a realistic strategy to stop the coronavirus pandemic, dismissing such proposals as “simply unethical.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health officials typically aim to achieve herd immunity by vaccination.
As Eric Sorensen reports, the doctors behind the declaration argue ongoing lockdowns and tightening of restrictions would be more harmful to populations.
