BY not wearing face masks , can we achieve herd immunity or people immunity ?

The COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila remains alarming as the positivity rate reached 26 percent as of May 17, according to Octa Research fellow Guido David.

Moreover, hospital and ICU occupancy showed a slight increase since May 10.

OCTA also said based on the DOH data NCR 7-day positivity rate remained at 26% as of May 17, 2023. Meanwhile, hospital occupancy in the NCR increased slightly from 28% (May 10) to 30% (May 17) while ICU occupancy increased from 23% to 25% over the same time period.

Achieving classical herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is “unlikely” despite the effectiveness of vaccines, according to health experts.

Herd immunity refers to how much of the population needs to be vaccinated or infected with COVID-19 in order to “eradicate or eliminate” the disease.

Researching on this big stumbling block with COVID, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading infectious disease expert in the USA and health adviser to five US presidents stressed that history has already shown us we’ve had five separate variants with five separate surges, and the immunity to coronaviruses is very self-limited and fleeting. He explained further when you think of herd immunity, you think of two factors that are required; one, a virus that doesn’t change much, and two immunity that’s long-lasting. That’s the reason why you can readily get herd immunity with measles, you can get it with smallpox, and you can get it with polio. Why?

They have three characteristics that are very much unlike the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. One, the virus doesn’t change. The measles that was circulating 50 years ago, is the same measles that are circulating now.

Number two, if you get infected with measles, or you get vaccinated with measles, the durability of the protection is measured in decades, and likely for a lifetime.

And three, there’s a universal acceptance of the vaccination programs for measles of polio, and smallpox. For that reason, you get good herd immunity. We don’t have any of those factors with COVID.”

Dr. Fauci says herd immunity is ‘unattainable’ for COVID-19. Here’s why :

1. A virus that doesn’t change much. This virus has many subvariants and continues to evolve. Remember delta.

2. Long lasting immunity

3. A universal acceptance of the vaccination programs like measles, polio and smallpox. In our country, we have squandered 40 million COVID vaccines worth P27 billion due to low uptake mainly because of lack of education and distribution issues.

In my humble opinion, exposing the population to COVID without face masks is morally and scientifically wrong !

Thus exposing the Filipino people to COVID by not wearing face masks and promoting MPHS to achieve people immunity is scientifically and morally wrong.

God bless our people.

Lots of COVID cases are now in hospitals and at home recuperating with anti viral drugs. These are mild cases but some are severe and critical cases and with potential to develop long Covid syndrome.

Post COVID-19 condition (Long COVID) is debilitating.

Don’t underestimate mild COVID cases. Long COVID is dangerous and painfully sad to many patients afflicted with it. Look for respiratory and cognitive symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pains, palpitations, fatigue, anxiety, depression and brain fog since these appear to be most common two to three months after COVID infection.

Some of our leaders have turned a blind eye to science and I am sorry they have also stopped caring for the people by not advising mandatory wearing of face masks with the very dangerous and relentless surge. It’s deceptive due to the mild presentation but definitely it can hurt and weaken a patient aside from productivity and quality of life issues. We need to keep on reminding our decision makers on the complex issues of medicine and healthcare.

If you or someone you know has had you will probably hear that you are immune (unable to get it again) after recovery for at least a short period of time. So, you may be wondering, during this period, should you still wear a mask? The answer is yes. Masks are still important. Social distancing is still important. Here’s why.

Most people are believed to have antibodies after having COVID. Unless you are tested, however, there’s no way to be sure. Additionally, evidence shows that even with antibodies, you can still pass the virus on. Maybe not necessarily from the infection you already had, but by being exposed again.

Having antibodies, whether it’s because you’ve gotten a vaccine or because you’ve gotten sick and recovered, doesn’t keep the virus out of your nose. Antibodies help your immune system to fight the infection. But while those antibodies are fighting the virus and keeping you from getting sick, you can still spread the virus to others through respiratory droplets (small droplets produced when you breathe, sneeze or cough).

Will we ever get rid of masks? Hopefully. That’s why increasing the number of people who are vaccinated – who become immune to the virus – is so important. So that even if we’re exposed, we are protected. And even if others are exposed, they are protected, too.

There is a lot the medical community still doesn’t know about the long-term immunity to COVID-19.

How will the vaccine affect the spread of the virus?

How long after we’re vaccinated does immunity last? Other than antibodies, how does the immune system fight against the virus?

The good news is that we can begin learning the answers to these questions, and in turn, slowly get back to life as we once knew it!

This is all good news for children too. Clinical trials for pediatric vaccines are underway, and time is on the side of researchers. Scientists and the health care community know so much more about COVID-19 than they did a year ago when they started developing the vaccine for adults. As we learn more about how the vaccine works in adults, scientists can apply these learnings to the pediatric vaccine. In the meantime, if you want to keep your kids and families safe from COVID-19, wear your mask.

Long COVID symptoms do not pertain only to respiratory system. It can have effects on other systems as well. The other common manifestation is neuro-psychiatric where patients complain of brain fog, poor concentration, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders. Cardiovascular manifestations include palpitations and tachycardia. I have also seen patients who develop new diabetes and other medical problems after getting COVID infection. Many physicians will not recognize the link unless they are aware that this can happen.

If we wish to be great as a country , we must first learn how to listen to other people and conquer fear through knowledge and wisdom or at least rise above it in the moments that matter.

Wearing of masks in a surge is no brainer. No rocket science needed. Several local government units have issued face mandates to protect the people. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong released an executive order last May 15 Monday to wear face masks in indoor spaces in all of Baguio City. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna – Pangan have issued memoranda mandating wearing of face masks in their city halls and other satellite offices due to the resurgence of COVID cases.

I agree that we give the people the right to choose. But surveillance and information must continue. The observations have turned out to be correct and a surge in cases did happen and it continues. In many telemedicine consultations many got infected. But majority continue to wear masks indoors. When people are informed they learn to take of themselves and learn adjust their behavior and habits.

Stillness is the key to, well, just about everything. Be stoic. Be calm. Be still.

We should care for our patients , workplace colleagues , and the people in the community. We should continue to educate them since we are in the age of fake news , misinformation and disinformation. People are gullible and they are excited to go back to normalcy. But nothing is easy. It will take time and patience. We just need to resilient and strong.

In closing , I would like to quote :

“The worst people on earth are not only those who commit evil, but those who stand by and turn a blind eye.” By Dr. Tony Leachon

Emmanuel Jal

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Anthony C. Leachon, M. D.
Independent Health Reform Advocate

Past President ,
Philippine College of Physicians

Internist – Cardiologist
Manila Doctors Hospital