Why Many People Avoid Covid-19 Even Though Omicron Spreads So Quickly

The Omicron variant has shown the ability to cause breakthrough infections despite vaccination, leading to concerns that everyone will eventually get infected with SARS-CoV-2. However,Covid-19 vaccineremains highly effective in its primary goal of preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

In addition, public health experts say that not everyone will get sick. So far, there are a number of reasons why people may avoid getting sick, including behaviors like mask-wearing, social distancing, vaccination rates, and possibly even genetics.

Why some people have not been infected with Covid-19

Doctors say there are several reasons why millions of Americans have yet to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

One reason is that people take appropriate precautions to reduce their risk. "There are people who don't get sick because they're extremely cautious," said Dr. Mark Siedner of Harvard Medical School.

Illustration: Pulsetoday

“They may be people who live largely at home, have little contact with others, or are particularly careful about wearing masks and social distancing.”

These people are more likely to have received a vaccine, including a booster shot. Experts say the impact of vaccination rates on preventing Covid-19 infections in Americans cannot be ignored.

Genetics may also play a role. Some people are at high risk for HIV but don't actually get it, says Dr. Stuart Ray of Johns Hopkins University.

“People who have a mutation in a certain receptor are associated with not getting HIV,” Dr. Ray explains.

While a clear gene has not been identified, Dr Ray said it is a plausible hypothesis that some people are genetically less susceptible to Covid-19.

Is Covid-19 infection inevitable?

Experts do not believe that Covid-19 infection is inevitable.

“The pandemic has been going on for two years and a significant portion of the population has not yet been infected. This is evidence that not everyone will get sick,” said Dr. Jonathan Grein.

“We identify vaccination as the most important factor in determining how protected a person is.”

Still, Dr. Ray thinks unvaccinated Americans who haven’t been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus will eventually get sick. “As these variants become more infectious, the likelihood that those people will get sick seems to be getting better,” he said.