Virologist Dorothee von Laer from Innsbruck assumes that we can tolerate higher numbers of infections.
After more than two years of pandemic, there are still people who have so far been spared a corona infection. Are they even immune to the virus? “They are not. But there are different susceptibility to the virus,” explains Innsbruck virologist Dorothee von Laer in an interview with “Krone”. “Some people tend to cope better with the virus because of their innate immune system.”
“Blame” are our genes, which are also responsible for the different appearance. “Just like there are blond hair or brown eyes, we have a very specific innate immune system.” This is of course not a “carte blanche” in the corona pandemic, as the virologist emphasizes: “Anyone can get infected.” : “Infection alone does not protect. You are not on the safe side with that.”
Set of activities in the fight against Corona
Only a vaccination offers reliable protection against serious courses. That is why von Laer fears a deceptively quiet summer, given the current number of infections of around 3,000 per day. “The numbers will be higher. We can tolerate that.” As long as the occupancy rate in the hospitals does not reach its limits. “Over the past two years we have seen how the development was in the autumn. We have to be prepared for that. I don’t understand why there is no activity and incentive to get high-risk groups vaccinated.”
Vaccination can only be the last bastion
According to the expert, that would be enough to be prepared for the next wave. Instead, politicians get caught up in discussions about a possible vaccination requirement. “It can only be the last bastion,” says von Laer, who always keeps an eye on developments in South Africa. According to Omikron, the variants BA.4 and BA.5 are dominant there. “They will also be victorious in Europe and Austria,” predicts the 63-year-old. “The virus will continue to accompany us.”
Stefan Schnittka, Kronen Zeitung
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
