News > Can you handle herd immunity? Ask these philosophers

Can you handle herd immunity? Ask these philosophers

The idea of “herd immunity” through infection, ruled out almost everywhere six months ago, is now under serious consideration in capitals across the world.

The echoes of social Darwinism make the idea of herd immunity anathema for communitarians. “Choosing to sacrifice many old and vulnerable citizens, mainly in order to spare the young and healthy (and wealthy) some economic pain, is liable to poison relations between these groups. How could our relationships with them recover?"