A growing number of people have contracted the COVID-19 virus and recovered. After enough time has passed to reduce any reasonable concern about reinfection or relapse then, individuals who test negative for a COVID-19 infection and positive for having the antibodies have a unique opportunity to interact with lower risk to others and themselves. It is very possible that recovered individuals may be one of the greatest tools in the fight against the virus.
As more people recover for long enough period of time who have no trace of the virus, we could have a huge number of immune volunteers helping us deal with the COVID-19 situation in many valuable ways.
Recovered individuals interested in volunteering in the effort to care for the sick should be afforded every opportunity to do so as this would help reduce the transmission rate. In turn, the process for the recovered individuals to be allowed to help should be made as easy and streamlined as possible. Initially, these individuals could provide their assistance in their own countries, but when the need lessens they should have the opportunity to assist in other countries by being provided necessary travel documents, visas and transportation to other areas in need around the world.
For these individuals who cannot re-contract the virus, they are able to far more safely interact with the community, help check on people, and transport and deliver supplies. There is a huge public health value in having those who can no longer catch or transmit COVID-19 act as the ones that primarily interact with the uninfected and the infectious. These individuals would be the safest members of the global community to be doing just about anything that they are capable of doing to help. Even simple things like opening doors for others can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by reducing public contact with the commonly touched surfaces that are more likely to transmit the virus.
The importance of allowing those who have already formed natural immunity to be able to volunteer will be even greater as locked down restrictions are reduced and or lifted.
Whether these volunteers are paid or unpaid, they should at a minimum have their food and accommodation provided along with any other necessary expenses covered. If the people that can help during COVID-19 pandemic are unable to volunteer because of monetary constraints, it would be an incredible waste of some of the most valuable human resources we have during this time of crisis.
Dr. Sean Larkin is a retired chiropractor who’s originally from the United States, but is now based in the Philippines. He’s a vegan and cares deeply about the wellbeing of people and the planet. Dr. Sean is strong advocate for using chiropractic care and other natural healing methods, including health promoting nutrition to improve lives.
