“Herd immunity against the coronavirus will require between 70% and 85% of the population to be vaccinated, Fauci estimates. It’s a new disease, so nobody knows the precise level, and new variants of the virus could push the number higher.
“If a significant number of people do not get vaccinated, that would delay where we would get to that endpoint,” Fauci warned recently.
And the longer it takes, the more people will get sick.
Paul, Cawthorn and their colleagues are casting themselves as courageous individualists. In fact, they’re acting as epidemiological moochers. They’re free riders, relying on the rest of us to protect them by helping the country reach herd immunity.”
A whole ‘nuther take on American exceptionalism.
Tidewater News and Opinion Forum 
An article politicizing COVID vaccination politicizes vaccine resistance.
I think I see the root of the problem. COVID has been politicized from the start. It’s only evil when the other side does it, when ‘our’ side does it, it’s “the science”
Regarding vaccination of people who have recovered from COVID. Perhaps a booster will help, but it certainly should be deferred until after everyone not having natural immunity has been vaccinated and probably even longer to avoid possible bad reactions by an already primed immune system.
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Spin. Spin. Spin.
What has been “politicized from the start” was the dishonesty and incompetence of Donald Trump’s leadership in the face of the most significant public health challenge since 1918. If he had been honest and competent (guided by science) from the start then Covid would not have become politicized and he might still be President.
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Thanks for immediately proving my point, You don’t care a whit about solving the problem, all you can see is a partisan cudgel .
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Dopey response.
The way you solve dishonesty and incompetence at the top is to criticize it and try to replace it if you can. Is that “political?” Damn straight. Being President is a political job. “The buck stops here” is about responsibility and accountability. As Trump found out, ignoring that principle and trying to “pass the buck” is bad for your political health.
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RE: “In fact, they’re acting as epidemiological moochers.”
So says the LA Times. They can go to Hell.
The writer assumes that those who don’t want to be vaccinated are guilty of immorality. The writer, however, has no right or standing to make such judgements.
It is probably true that avoiding vaccination will delay herd immunity, but that’s a theoretical probability, not an empirical one. I’d say the immorality of accusing others of theoretical crimes far exceeds the immorality of avoiding vaccination.
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“It is probably true that avoiding vaccination will delay herd immunity”
Uh, that is an empirical fact, not some hypothetical. So, those who refuse to get vaccinated are putting lives at risk. If it were only THEIR lives, fine. But it is not just THEIR lives that could be lost. The longer it takes to dampen the spread through herd immunity, the more people will get sick and the more opportunity for the virus to evolve into something new – taking us all back to square one.
Bottom line, “moochers” is a very polite term for such criminally selfish and stupid people.
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RE: “Uh, that is an empirical fact, not some hypothetical.”
Hardly. The vaccination effect for the population at large can be shown empirically for other diseases, but it has yet to be shown empirically for Covid-19.
RE: “Bottom line, ‘moochers’ is a very polite term for such criminally selfish and stupid people.”
That just shows that any excuse is sufficient to justify witch hunting.
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“Hardly?”
Absolutely laughable. The epidemiology of viral diseases is not “hypothetical.” Nor is the concept of “herd immunity.” The exact level of immunity needed to reach it may not be known yet for this virus but what is UNDENIABLE is that anything that slows the increase in the number of immune people delays reaching it. And puts people in danger.
I well remember how you and other Trump cultists absolutely accepted the concept of “herd immunity” when you defended Trump’s de facto attempts to reach it. Now you deny it is a thing. Also laughable.
You seem quite emotional in defending these moochers. Are you one of them?
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RE: “Now you deny it [herd immunity] is a thing.”
Where have I denied it?
RE: “You seem quite emotional in defending these moochers. Are you one of them?”
Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?
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“Where have I denied it?”
LOL! In your post dated [March 21, 2021 at 10:12 am] above where you scoffed at my stating that “herd immunity” is an empirical fact.
I notice you did not answer the question.
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I wrote, “It is probably true that avoiding vaccination will delay herd immunity, but that’s a theoretical probability, not an empirical one.”
Your response was the idiotic statement, “Uh, that is an empirical fact, not some hypothetical.”
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Always laughable.
Here we are debating whether herd immunity is a thing.
Here is a “theoretical probability” for you . . .
The sun will rise tomorrow. Not an “empirical fact,” mind you. Just a “theoretical probability.”
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RE: “Here we are debating whether herd immunity is a thing.”
No. YOU are debating it. Why is anyone’s guess.
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“Why is anyone’s guess.”
No need to guess. I do not like to let nonsense go unchallenged. You have chosen to defend moochers by denigrating the importance of “herd immunity.” It is a pitiful defense of stupid and selfish behavior.
The real question is . . . Why would anyone defend such behavior? I note you did not answer the question above. That may hint at the answer.
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“ The writer, however, has no right or standing to make such judgements.”
Really? He has as much “right” to express his opinion as you do.
There are two issues involved with trying to get to herd immunity as quickly as possible.
First, it is the best weapon we have to rebuild the economy. Confidence in lessening the danger of infection for our citizens will do more than any of the palliative defenses we are using now.
Second, variants are much more likely with the greater the spread of infections.
In addition we as taxpayers have poured trillions into the economy and billions into R&D. To have some folks give the rest of us the “finger” is truly insulting, self-centered and petty.
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Yes, but it is REPUBLICANS who are refusing the vaccine, which will ensure that deaths from COVID going forward (remember, the vaccine may not prevent infection, but is nearly 100% effective at preventing hospitalization and adverse outcomes) will almost certainly be those who would vote Republican.
Republicans — Masters of voter suppression, even their own.
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