Almost 7 thousand doctors and scientists from all over the world have signed a declaration urging states to abandon lockdown policies in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
The declaration was written by Dr. Martin Kalldorf, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at Harvard University, an epidemiologist from the University of Oxford with extensive experience in immunology, vaccine development and mathematical modeling of infectious diseases, Dr. Sunetra Gupta and Dr. Jet Batacharya, professor at Stanford School of Medicine, epidemiologist and public healthcare.
The document was signed by hundreds of doctors and scientists from the USA, Great Britain, Sweden, Israel, New Zealand and other countries – more than 7 thousand in total.
“As epidemiologists and health professionals, we are extremely concerned about the physical and psychological harm that common methods of dealing with COVID-19 cause and recommend a different approach, which we call ‘Focused Protection’,” the scientists write.
“We, people of different political views from all over the world, have dedicated our whole life to protecting people. The current lockdown policy has short and long term damaging effects on human health. As a result, the vaccination of children decreases, the condition of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases worsens, the control of cancer diseases decreases, the psychological state worsens – this is only part of the consequences. All this leads to an increase in mortality. The burden on the working class and young people is increasing, and students stop learning.
“Continuing this practice until a vaccine is available would be irreparable and especially hit vulnerable populations.
“Fortunately, our knowledge of the virus is growing every day. We know that elderly and chronic patients are 1000 times more likely to die from the virus than young people. For children, COVID-19 is even less dangerous than many other diseases, including the flu.
“As the population builds up immunity, the risk of infection decreases, including for vulnerable people. We know that all population groups will achieve herd immunity, that is, the point where the level of new infection will become stable, and the vaccine will contribute to this. Our goal is to reduce mortality and social harm until herd immunity emerges.
“The most humane approach, balancing the pros and cons of achieving herd immunity, is to allow people to live their normal lives with minimal risk. This will allow them to build herd immunity through natural infection. On the other hand, those at risk should be protected as best as possible. We call this “Focused Defense,” the scientists write.
The authors of the declaration, in fact, propose to follow the Swedish path, but with stricter control over the elderly and sick in order to avoid an increase in mortality. They propose introducing close control over the staff of nursing homes, allowing people who already have immunity to work there, that is, those who have been ill.
“Rotation of staff in such establishments should be minimal. Nursing homes should have autonomous services – shops and other delivery services. If possible, meetings with relatives should take place in the open air, not inside, ”the scientists continue.
“Those who are not at risk should be allowed to lead normal lives with proper hygiene practices. If such a person is ill, let him stay at home. Universities and schools should be opened, as should optional sports activities. ”
“Young people with low risks can continue to work normally, even preferably not from home. Restaurants and other businesses need to be opened. This also applies to art, music, sports and other cultural activities. People at risk can also participate if they want to. By achieving herd immunity, the more vulnerable members of society will be protected. ”
