[QUOTE=Osteoknot;2491252]This is a repost but important enough to justify.
So far, the epidemiological evidence proves immunity. If immunity were not conferred, or wears off, you would hear about it everywhere and this would be a major blow against the war against coronavirus. That is simply not happening. Focusing on rare cases of reinfection misses the point and shows a lack of understanding of basic epidemiology and population health.
Rare, extremely rare, reports of reinfection with coronavirus support the immunity model, contrary to what you might think. Even if there are 10 or 100 or 1000 or 10,000 cases of reinfection reported, that supports the immunity model. BTW, most of these cases or reinfection are here say, but that is a moot point. I will explain it the best I can:
Many of the so called experts do not understand the epidemiology either, but the concept is not difficult. If immunity was not conferred by previous infection, then based on the known "attack" rate of the virus there would be tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand repeat cases in the United States alone, and hundreds of thousands of repeat cases if not millions, worldwide. This is simply not happening. These rare case reports of reinfection support the immunity model because they are in fact so very rare and not overwhelming.
There are a multitude of reasons why rare reinfections would be possible. The incidence of autoimmune diseases in the general population alone more than explains it, which would prevent these folks from developing a proper antibody immune response to the primary infection with coronavirus. The error rate of false positives and false negatives in the tests used to diagnose coronavirus would also go a long way to explaining the rare reinfections.
Finally, it's very personal for me because myself and my Colombian girlfriend have recovered from coronavirus. I was tested for antibodies a few weeks after I recovered, which came back "positive" or good, so I know I am immune. So is my girlfriend. One big less thing for us to worry about when I return. I also know every time I go get a PCR coronavirus antigen test that they are making everyone get, it will be negative. My novia and I joke about our "bubble of immunity" around us, but it's no joke. I would not show the antibody test result to immigration because it says "positive" and they are not intelligent enough to understand what it means, or more correctly, they are just following orders or policy.
Don't misquote me, the immunity might not be permanent but there is just as good a chance that it will be. But if immunity wanes, or a new strain develops where the current antibodies are not effective, it will quickly become evident by reports or large numbers of people getting coronavirus again. For now I am immune as is anyone who got infected and made antibodies, to the current strain, and basic statistics from the epidemiology proves it. Not lab tests, not opinions from infectious disease specialists, not agency heads, not politicians, not theory, not blogs, but fact. The main reason positive antibody test results are not accepted as proof of immunity is because the test is not FDA approved, and not because of some pathophysiology loophole. The average healthy person without any autoimmune disorder will make antibodies to a coronavirus infection. You have to be really sick with some other problem to not make antibodies, such as advanced HIV, or heavy-duty chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer.[/QUOTE]I know a 3 people and a family of 5 who had covid earlier in the year and are not showing any detectable antibodies now in October. So about 4-5 months later.
