New Delhi: With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to throw the world off gear, a few AIIMS professors have suggested for the opening of schools and colleges in India so that students can achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus infection.
Certain practices have been found effective in shielding oneself from the virus namely physical distancing, staying at home, sanitising from time-to-time, using an N95 mask when stepping out etc.
Countries around the globe are in a race to find out a vaccine that can help fight the ever rising COVID-19 cases.
While research and testing are in full swing, scientists all over are also open to experimenting with other tools and practices that might help the people become immune to the virus at large.
‘If schools and colleges reopen, everyone will get exposed to the virus’
The opening of schools and colleges, at present, seems like a far fetched idea which will only put the future of the country at risk by exposing the children to COVID and putting them increasing risk of contracting the virus.
However, in the grim situation, Dr. Rai finds a silver lining, “If schools and colleges go back to functioning in full swing, keeping in mind distancing and sanitisation norms, there is a possibility that sooner or later, everyone will get exposed.”
“Children have fresh immunity, and they can be major contributors to us achieving herd immunity. The process is quite complex, though- careful interpretation and increase in testing are vital for it to be successful,” said Dr Rai.
What exactly is herd immunity?
A form of indirect protection from infectious diseases like Covid-19, the phenomenon of ‘herd immunity’ ensures that a large percentage of the population becomes immune to the infection, either through vaccination or previous infections.
With schools and colleges shifting to online learning, the idea of in-person classes seems rather distant at least for now.
However, in-spite of us finding an alternate for the time-being, online classes in the long term at the same are not a feasible option for everyone.
Online classes are especially a problem for those middle-class families with multiple children in school, or those belonging to economically-weaker sections of society.
The 2 ways of achieving herd immunity
The idea behind achieving herd mentality, however simple it may sound, is actually quite complex in terms of achievement.
Explaining how exactly herd immunity is achieved, Dr. Sanjay K. Rai, Professor, Centre of Community Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi elaborated, “There are two basic ways of achieving herd immunity — by developing a vaccine, and by exposure to infection.”
“Since there is no possible way of knowing by when we can find a vaccine and how effective it will be, the only other alternative is through infection,” he said.
PNN/Agencies
