In confronting some infectious illness, "herd immunity" is called the "end game." COVID-19 may become "powerless" and can no longer propagate easily from one human to another as enough people are exposed to the COVID-19. Experts predict that 60 to 70 percent of Americans need to be vaccinated against or contaminated by COVID-19 to reach the point.

But the best way to get to herd immunity is to end the lockdowns and let the coronavirus run its natural course in young and healthy people while protecting seniors and those at risk, a group of scientists argue.

An online form signed by just over 30,000 medical practitioners, 10,000 scientists, and more than 550,000 "concerned citizens," the Great Barrington Declaration argues that the best way to achieve herd immunity is not to remain in lockdown while waiting for a vaccine.

"Current lockdown policies are producing devastating effects on short and long-term public health," the declaration reads. It suggested allowing those at minimal risk of death to live their normal lives to build up immunity to the virus through natural infection. The group also called itself as "Focused Protection."

COVID-19 Has Something To Do With Age, They Claim

Experts have strongly disagreed with the notion of encouraging younger citizens to get contaminated as a means to gain herd immunity. 

COVID-19 is also "less contagious" to children than specific other harms, including influenza, the community writes.

The Great Barrington Declaration states that elderly persons with chronic health problems are more than a thousand times more vulnerable than young people to death.

Experts often worry that, although they might not be, middle-aged adults may feel they are at lower risk and healthy to regain their regular lives.

Nevertheless, the scientists behind the declaration claim that securing disadvantaged people such as veterans and others in long-term care facilities is a more compassionate solution than a closure, thus encouraging children and stable adults to return to daily life.

"Any pandemic management strategy relying upon immunity from natural infections for COVID-19 is flawed," the memorandum reads. According to them, uncontrolled transmission in younger people risks significant morbidity and mortality across the whole population.

The group claimed that the flawed system might impact the workforce as a whole and overwhelm healthcare systems' ability to provide acute and routine care.

They argue that simple, low-risk precautions could be taken to prevent the virus from spreading.

The group also emphasized that simple hygiene steps, such as handwashing and staying home while ill, should decrease the herd immunity threshold. 

Is Anyone Opposing?

Meanwhile, a group of more than 6,000 scientists opposed the Great Barrington Declaration. They likewise signed a petition through the John Snow Memorandum. 

The memorandum said that any pandemic management strategy relying upon immunity from natural infections for COVID-19 "is flawed. "Uncontrolled transmission in younger people risks significant morbidity and mortality across the whole population," it said.

The said pandemic management would impact the workforce as a whole and overwhelm healthcare systems' ability to provide acute and routine care, they said.

ALSO READ: The Great Barrington Declaration States That Herd Immunity May End the Pandemic

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 on Science Times.