Protecting the Herd

Viruses are insidious agents that invade human tissue, injecting their genetic instructions into our cells. Their goal? To make more viruses! Luckily, our body launches a full scale counter-attack. The foot-soldiers in this micro-war are antibodies. Our immune system creates new antibodies designed to bind to the shell of the virus, neutralizing it. When the battle comes to an end, we keep the antibodies around, and are thus immune to the virus. Science provides a pacifist's solution in the form of a vaccine. Vaccines can teach our bodies to defend themselves, but without all the fever and coughing. New viruses like SARS-CoV-2 have the element of surprise; we, the antibody-less herd, can do little to defend ourselves. However, as more of us become immune, the virus has a harder and harder time finding the vulnerable amongst the herd. How will we reach herd immunity - recovery, or vaccine? That depends on how long we keep our herd at home!Written and reported by Sumner L. Norman, Ph.D.