Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
David, there are a number of ways to look at the situation. You like to look at numbers. That is your profession. I view things differently, more systemically. Which reflects my profession.

Some here are suggesting that 70% of a population are needed to develop a herd immunity against Covid. However, WHO had this to say...

"The percentage of people who need to be immune in order to achieve herd immunity varies with each disease. For example, herd immunity against measles requires about 95% of a population to be vaccinated. The remaining 5% will be protected by the fact that measles will not spread among those who are vaccinated. For polio, the threshold is about 80%. The proportion of the population that must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to begin inducing herd immunity is not known." (link below).

Does this number crunching reflect an underlying defence mechanism, such as denial or intellectualisation (where reasoning is used to block anxiety)?

The debate about mandatory vs voluntary vaccination certainly has the cathartic power to bring out this emotional conflict. And it shows up in the best and worst in humankind. Matters becomes somewhat black and white when people are stressed.

The best include the many health workers around the world who are on the front line and provide their services in spite of the great risks to themselves and their families. The best are the people who recognise that they need to minimise risk to others, and willingly follow regulations, such as sanitation and social distancing. There have been good things coming out of Covid, such as increased communication via the Internet, and concerns for the welfare of family and friends. Some communities have learned to pull together, and many have become aware that they can make a difference if they reach out to others.

The worst are those who are egocentric, narrow-minded and selfish in their outlook. They refuse to accept that they are links in a chain, and instead show a defensiveness and aggressive attitude when they believe their rights are intruded upon. They believe that they have the right to be individuals at a time when others are desperately trying to work as a team. Many adolescents have this outlook for a period, which we put down to a stage of social and emotional immaturity. I deal with ODD (opposition and defiant disordered) youngsters all the time ...identifying as a rebel, resenting authority. What do we call adults with this same attitude? Those that rail at wearing masks in public, for example?

The world is not simply divided into these two groups, however it seems this way at this time.

Regards from Perth

Derek