Why the coronavirus has been so successful
The new coronavirus has wreaked havoc across the globe. Why did this particular strain spread so far?
Finding a vaccine is one thing, but figuring out if people can develop an immunity to COVID-19 could put an end to the pandemic.
With the number of people infected with the coronavirus escalating by the day, researchers around the world are trying to figure out one of the most pressing questions: can people become immune to COVID-19?
“Part of the recovery from COVID, as a pandemic, will be getting people back to work,” Queensland Institute of Medical Research acting director David Whiteman, told Nine’s Today show.
“If we know that people have a mounted immune response, an effective immune response, and are actually safe and not able to get infected again, those people can go back to the front line as doctors, nurses, ambulancemen and policemen.”
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Finding a cure is one thing, but Professor Whiteman said his and other research teams are developing tests to show if someone has “mounted an effective immune response”.
He explained there are teams figuring out how the virus enters cells and damages them, others who are looking at why some people only experience mild symptoms while others are severely affected, and also teams who are looking at whether the virus can be transmitted between mothers and babies.
“This is a global effort. Teams around the world are working on this. We are sharing our information,” Professor Whiteman added.
Why it’s important to find out if people are immune to COVID-19
It’s important for several reasons.
Firstly, a growing immunity in a community is the way a pandemic ends. The question off this, however, is whether people can get infected twice. Concerns about this possibility have risen following an incident in Japan where government officials reported that a woman had caught the virus a second time.
Determining the possibility of immunity could also bring in an early treatment. “Antibodies gathered from the bodies of those who have recovered may be used to aid those struggling with the illness,” a New York Times article stated.
Then there’s also the prospect of having health care workers who are known to be immune, care for the severely ill.
Until researchers find out more about the deadly virus, it’s important for everyone to practicing self-isolation and physical distancing.
“Any one of us could come up with the critical discovery at any point in time. I hate to put a timeline on it, but our teams are working extremely hard to be there as quickly as they can,” Professor Whiteman said.
“At the moment it’s weeks to months, but it’s a day-to-day operation.”
More essential coronavirus reading:
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