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Editorial: The quest for herd immunity

Seeing the first person in the western world receive a COVID-19 vaccination this week made the faint light at the end of a long tunnel flicker and appear brighter.
Powell River Peak editorial
Getty image.

Seeing the first person in the western world receive a COVID-19 vaccination this week made the faint light at the end of a long tunnel flicker and appear brighter.

The significant event may have taken place thousands of miles away in England, but the video broadcast and watched in millions of homes hinted at possible relief near the end of an impossibly complicated and frustrating year.

With public health orders in place until at least January 8, and the likelihood of several extensions before everyone (who chooses to) is vaccinated, people and events will remain in a holding pattern while the initial roll-out takes place. How long that takes is anyone’s guess. More vaccines are going through testing periods and/or pending approvals, results of which will have an effect on when the herd immunity sought by health officials begins to quell rising cases of COVID-19 and allows some sense of normalcy to return.

Until that time, coronavirus will continue to spread without the public continuing to respect health orders and follow protocols. Some people will choose not to be vaccinated, just as some refuse to wear masks or avoid gatherings. The herd will make up for those who disagree with health officials or were anti-vaxxers before COVID even burst onto the scene.

Enough like-minded people can ensure the herd immunity threshold is reached. It’s about people coming together for a common cause and a positive outcome. That’s why crowdfunding works.

Currently, vaccines are akin to the carrot dangling on the end of a stick; close is not enough for a satisfying result.

For now, patience is a virtue. Upcoming annual celebrations will come around again next year. Just wait until then; they’ll be the parties of the century.