For governments in different parts of the world, jumpstarting their economies during the COVID-19 pandemic is a priority. Many states in the USA have already begun reopening non-essential business operations such as beaches and gyms, while Mexico is allowing many businesses to operate as long as social distancing guidelines are being observed.

Chile had recently decided to take on COVID-19's consequences through a slightly different strategy. The Chilean government is planning to allow low-risk groups and those who have survived COVID-19 to go back to their normal activities, says an article.


Plans to Issue Immunity Passports

The health officials of Chile had confirmed their plans to be the first nation to issue COVID-19 immunity passports. This allows people who have survived the illness to go back to their normal lives.

According to Paula Daza, the Health Ministry Undersecretary, 4,600 people have overcome the deadly illness.

Officials said that the COVID-19 survivors could significantly help the community by going back to work. In the entire Latin American region, Chile is the country with the most number of tests administered.

In principle, individuals who had COVID-19 and are not free from its symptoms for at least two weeks will be allowed to take antibody testing. The population of Chile is at least 19 million, and more or less 4,600 people who survived COVID-19 can be granted immunity cards.


The Risks and Feasibility of the Strategy

If the strategy is effective, the immunity cards can help Chile reopen its economy and get everything back to normal for the entire country. However, this strategy employs some risks.

The implementation of an immunity ID card would make anyone who wants to go back to work and return to their normal life do everything to get the card even if they were not infected. The risk of a black market for immunity card may arise for the illegal trade of fake immunity cards. This will put the health of those who did not get COVID-19 at risk.


Certifying Immunity in Chile

Chile stated that they would be certifying immunity. However, does it really exist?

The idea that a COVID-19 patient who recovers from the illness becomes immune to it has its foundations as the body combats other viruses.

Since there is still no specific treatment for the deadly COVID-19, the focus of every healthcare staff is to help stabilize the patient while their immune system fights the infection. It is understood that those who survive the illness have created significant antibodies in their body. Some patients who had recovered from the disease are allowing their antibodies to be collected for treating other COVID-19 patients. 


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WHO's Warning

The World Health Organization is discouraging the issuance of immunity cards. The reason for such advice is that the presence of antibodies indicates that the patients' body had reacted to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that it does not necessarily mean that those patients are immune to the deadly virus.

There is no proof that COVID-19 survivors will not get infected for the second time with the same virus. Despite this warning from WHO, Chile still plans to proceed with releasing the immunity passports to COVID-19 survivors in the country.