• About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
Sunday, May 29, 2022
The Millennial Source
TMS
Home WORLD

What would an “immunity certificate” look like?

April 11, 2020
in WORLD
Source: Sky News

Source: Sky News

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin



As the world remains mostly in a state of limbo, governments are deliberating over when their nations can regain some semblance of normalcy. 

This decision largely revolves around the need for accurate testing. To this end, some are asking whether “immunity certificates” are the way forward. 

What have officials said? 

In the United Kingdom, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating, suggested on April 2 that Britons could use immunity certificates as a type of “immunity passport.” Hancock also floated the idea of an immunity wristband. 

Source: The Telegraph

Other governments and officials across the world have also considered immunity certificates as a way to gradually ease their nations back to normal. 

In the United States, which has seen unemployment claims reach a record high of 16.8 million amidst a sagging economy, the Trump Administration is pushing to reopen the economy within the next few weeks. 

When asked about immunity certificates on CNN, Anthony Fauci, the US government’s top infectious disease official, hesitated before saying, “That’s possible, it’s one of those things we talk about when we want to make sure we know who the vulnerable people are… it might have some merit under certain circumstances.”

Challenges 

On a technical level, there are challenges governments must overcome before issuing immunity passports. These challenges include testing to determine which individuals have antibodies for the coronavirus (i.e. are immune to it) and, if that person is immune and has the appropriate antibodies, just how immune they are (i.e. whether it is possible that they might contract the virus again) and how long that natural immunity will last. 

Many believe that, on a social level, the immunity passports might create what some have dubbed a “two-tier society” or a “two-tiered workforce.” 

Such a society would be composed of those who can return to a more normal life and others who would be forced to remain locked down. 

This also begs the question of whether those who test positive for antibodies would be favored for positions where customer interaction is necessary, for example in the retail and hospitality sectors. 

Others worry that fraudulent certificates might be created by those desperate for income. 

Others still have expressed concerns that issuing immunity certificates, or passports, could result in a situation where the younger population, feeling as though their chances of surviving the virus are high, would try to contract the virus in order to build immunity and be allowed to rejoin the community.

[article_ad]

Have a tip or story? Get in touch with our reporters here! 

Sign up for daily news briefs from The Millennial Source here!

Related

Tags: Short read
Share5TweetShare

Latest Posts

Trump warns Iran of “1,000 times greater” response to any assassination plot or attack on US

Trump warns Iran of “1,000 times greater” response to any assassination plot or attack on US

September 17, 2020
world reacts to uae and israel normalising diplomatic ties

World reacts to UAE and Israel move to normalize diplomatic ties

August 14, 2020
Justice Department accuses Yale University of racial discrimination in undergraduate admissions process

US Department of Justice accuses Yale University of racial discrimination in admissions process

August 14, 2020

Resurgence of COVID-19 potentially theatens New Zealand election date

August 13, 2020

Biden and Harris pledge to lead America out of crisis in first public event since VP announcement

August 13, 2020

Jimmy Lai released on bail as Next Digital stock price soars

August 12, 2020

History made as Joe Biden picks Kamala Harris for his vice-presidential 2020 election running mate

August 12, 2020

Russian vaccine becomes the first coronavirus vaccine to be approved, but concerns linger over rushed testing process

August 11, 2020

Seattle police chief retires after city council votes to cut US$3.5 million from the police budget

August 11, 2020

SUBSCRIBE TO THE TMS NEWSLETTER

By providing your email, you agree to our Privacy Policy

The Millennial Source Ltd. 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Your daily briefing
  • About us
  • Explore
    • Startups
    • Climate change
    • Tech giants
    • Crypto
    • The future of work
    • Banking giants
    • Economy
  • Lifestyle
  • TMS archives
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy & Terms

© 2022 The Millennial Source Ltd.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    string(24) "jsonld single post debug"
    The Millennial Source
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.