Will we reach herd immunity?

We might. In some places. For periods of time

And not sure it matters that much

Experience from UK, Israel clear

Get enough folks vaccinated, pandemic fades into the background

My latest in @PostOpinions https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/05/06/pandemic-herd-immunity/

Few points from the piece:

1. herd immunity threshold varies based on variant of SARS-CoV2, vaccination rates, prior infection rates, who has immunity, so forth

2. Herd immunity not a one and done. We've had HI for measles. Then vaccinations fade -- and it pops back up

2/3

3. Herd immunity does not eradicate the virus

4. Some places in the US have high degree of immunity and likely will hit herd immunity with more vaccinations. Others won't

So here's the bottom line:

This pandemic will end here in the US even if the virus isn't gone

3/4

How can pandemic end if virus still around?

Pandemics end when risk they pose and strategies needed to mitigate that risk, fade into background and become part of normal life

As saying goes, pandemics end with a whimper, not with a bang

This one, too, will end

With a whimper