[No official explanation for the sudden reversal was provided. Industry insiders instantly began speculating that the government was worried about a potential second wave of coronavirus infections. ]
Boris Johnson is technically right, in the sense that herd immunity will eventually render this virus toothless. The problem is the body count before herd immunity is achieved.
Xi Jinpin is emperor in all but name. However, he is pretty sensitive to this kind of stuff because plagues in China have traditionally coincided with massive popular revolts and elite mutinies.
There’s an issue with critically ill high risk people. If they’re initially treated with anti-virals and antibiotics their bodies won’t have time to produce antibodies for the virus. When they recover and are released they can easily be reinfected.
Was watching Youtube last night on Chinese treatment protocols. They classify patients into stages for treatment. Stages I and II are palliative care. Stage III is the person has produced antibodies and is fighting the virus. Only after this, in stage IV, are anti-virals and antibiotics administered. It ensures people have antibodies when released. But this is most likely is at the cost of at a significantly higher death rate. Only patients who can produce antibodies and show their body can fight the virus are considered for antivirals and antibiotic treatment.