UNLIMITED

The Atlantic

Paging Dr. Hamblin: Will I Slowly Get Immunity Just Going About My Life?

A slight exposure to the coronavirus isn’t likely to lead to lasting protection. At least not yet.
Source: JULIAN MONTAGUE

Editor’s Note: Every Wednesday, James Hamblin takes questions from readers about health-related curiosities, concerns, and obsessions. Have one? Email him at [email protected].


Dear Dr. Hamblin,

I’m a senior who has spent considerable effort at staying out of harm’s way. My wife and I spent much of March through June at home, making quick shopping trips when needed. We are always masked when indoors in a public space, but we do get within six feet of others when grocery shopping or eating outdoors with a few friends.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from The Atlantic

The Atlantic5 min read
The Price of Humiliating Nicolás Maduro
For many years, Venezuelans understood instinctively what was meant when someone invoked la situación in conversation. The rich started leaving the country because of la situación. One would be crazy to drive at night, given la situación del país. Th
The Atlantic5 min read
Bashar al-Assad Exploited Alawites’ Fear
For decades, the Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad built his power on a single, relentless narrative of survival: The regime presented itself as the only shield against annihilation for the Alawites, the ethno-religious minority that makes up about a
The Atlantic3 min read
Musk Makes a Mess of Congress
Elon Musk was born a South African, so he’s ineligible to serve as either president or vice president of the United States. But he is swiftly showing, by dint of his enormous wealth and growing influence with the person Americans actually elected as

Related Books & Audiobooks