Scientists speculate that the United States will never reach herd immunity for Covid-19. This isn't quite as bad as it sounds. As long as the most vulnerable populations (the elderly, the immuno-compromised, the hypochondriacal) are immunized--along with as many others as possible--then even if Covid never fully disappears (it won't), its damage should be mitigated People will still get sick, but the virus shouldn't continue to rampage through the population, overwhelming the medical system and necessitating widespread lockdowns. The "hope" (if that's the right word) is that Covid eventually becomes a seasonal threat: unpleasant, certainly, but manageable.
One key point in today's news, though, is that medical professionals and other scientists fear that the conclusion that the US won't reach herd immunity (defined as anywhere from 70 - 90% of the population being immunized) will further discourage the vaccine hesitant from getting their shots (which, to be clear, is still highly--highly--recommended as one of the most effective ways to combat Covid). Why bother getting vaccinated, they'll "reason," if the country won't reach herd immunity no matter what? And no one will be able to make them see that a major reason herd immunity is a futile goal is because of morons like them who refuse to be vaccinated!
Ignorance may be nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s nothing to take pride in either. Too many Americans are way too proud of their own idiocy.
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