Why Herd Immunity Is Slipping Away

<p>From the earliest days of the pandemic, herd immunity has consistently factored into conversations about how countries can find their way out of lockdowns and restrictions.</p><p>Now, many experts believe that the United States may never reach the requisite level of immunity.</p><p>We explore why, and what it might look like to live in a country where there is no herd immunity against the coronavirus.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli?smid=pc-thedaily">Apoorva Mandavilli</a>, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times. </p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>The emergence of widely circulating coronavirus variants and persistent hesitancy about vaccines will keep the goal out of reach.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/health/covid-herd-immunity-vaccine.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> The virus appears to be here to stay</a>, but vaccinating the most vulnerable may be enough to restore normalcy.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.</p>