A GENTLE PSA
Getting sick doesn’t do what you might think it does.
Viruses can only create new variants when they spread. More infections = more replication = more mutations = more chances for a fitter, more evasive strain to appear.
Very few viruses give lifelong immunity. Most immunity to viruses fades, and with high levels of transmission, new variants appear often. That’s why we keep getting sick.
Getting sick doesn’t fix the problem. It drives it.
@kristiedegaris "Here, have some plague. You'll never have it again."
Also, some people who catch a virus - whether COVID or glandular fever (mono) will end up being too chronically ill to work or study for 5 years or 10 years afterwards, or even longer!
Most cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis start with a virus - sometimes even influenza or a common cold that turns into a sinus infection.
@kristiedegaris and vaccines dont get all variants
@kristiedegaris
Some pathogens can cause horrific disorders long after the original infection is gone.
MS
ME/CFS
Long covid
Etc
I assume we (humanity) are always under evolution process, no matter how technologically advanced we are or ever will be.
Simple example, is nuclear weaponry.
Advanced technology, which can easialy lead to humanity extinction.
And evolution process would be over :)
@kristiedegaris posted this related new research yesterday
https://mastodon.social/@Frieke72/115697031442191644
#MaskUp #VaccinessSaveLives
@kristiedegaris So that science thing again
@sarpau It just won't quit
@kristiedegaris Related.
Remember the names of the people who funded covid disinformation for personal & partisan gain.
Herd immunity & the Great Barrington nonsense was the brainchild of Koch Network. Over 7 million died globally, 2 million Americans.
https://jacobin.com/2021/12/right-wing-think-tanks-herd-immunity-death
https://sanford.duke.edu/news/how-koch-network-spreading-covid-misinformation/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/19/us/politics/charlie-kirk-conservatives-coronavirus.html
https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/12/22/how-the-koch-network-hijacked-the-war-on-covid/
https://btlonline.org/koch-network-funds-war-on-covid-public-health-measures-2/
https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2025/07/02/heritage-foundation-partners-with-ivermectin-group/
@kristiedegaris and if you catch measles then that can wipe out your accumulated immunity to just about everything.
@marjolica
But it does in most cases give you exceptionally good long lasting immunity to measles.
I think the vaccination option is best there though - same lasting immunity without having to destroy all our own memory lymphocyte cells to get it. Ironic laughter for all the "natural" immunity is better people
@kristiedegaris
@kristiedegaris ... i disagree with your conclusion: the immune system and viruses are two dynamic systems adjusting to each other over time. the immune system acts as if it holds a database of past illness. Covid patients who were exposed to Rubella as a child were shown to have better outcomes (actual research).
