2021-03-17
In recent months we have been treated in the press to a great deal of alarmist speculation about the many variants that have supposedly been tearing through our ranks with possibly (but nobody seems quite sure) disastrous effects just around the corner. We have had the Kent variant, the Brazilian, and others which unaccountably but no doubt momentarily slip my mind, and now an even more dreadful Breton variant which (gasp!) is reputed to even evade the PCR test (no, me neither).
So it is with some relief that I read an article by Michael Yeadon and Marc Girardot which explores the mutability transmissibility and likely severity of these variants. They describe it very calmly within the perspective of the defence in depth which is a primary facet of our immune systems, and very reassuring (in my view) it turns out to be.
"To date, no robust scientific evidence proves that any of the variants identified are more transmissible or deadly than the original"
"Many seem to have benefited from a form of immunity even though they had never met the actual virus, nor been vaccinated"
"Some are advocating the vaccination of people who have recovered from COVID-19 ... we see absolutely no scientific nor medical justification for such a procedure"
"Closing international borders will not stop new mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in the population. It is a futile endeavour with no scientific basis"
"Vaccines rely entirely on a functional immune system. However, those suffering from severe forms of COVID-19 have predominantly been shown to be ... weakened immune system"
"Although vaccines could be helpful for patients with mildly deficient immune systems, they would most likely not save ... patients with advanced immune senescence"
What parts of the above do SAGE not understand?
In these times when so many articles (not to mention SAGE advisors) seem devoid of good sense allied with sound science, Dr Yeadon and M Girardot bring us a welcome breath of fresh air.
