Explained: The mystery of why some people don’t get COVID

Everyone is familiar with a "Covid virgin" or "Novid," a person who has avoided contracting the coronavirus despite all odds. Could the key to these people's immunity, however, be found nestled in their DNA, rather than just sensible prudence, good fortune, or a lack of friends? And might it be the secret to eradicating the virus?

Scientists have been examining whether certain people are genetically "resistant" to COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak. As it turns out, some people with HIV have a genetic mutation that stops the virus from entering their cells. Regardless of how frequently they are exposed, they remain negative.

You might be one of these one in ten persons if you haven't become ill from COVID-19, but it's best not to take a chance. You may not have developed COVID-19 symptoms because of this gene change, but rather because of vaccination or just good luck. Doctors continue to advise taking care and receiving your COVID-19 booster because of this.

People frequently claim that they don't need the flu shot since they have never had the illness. "However, you might develop it when you get your next exposure. Not to mention that COVID-19 measures have been reduced outside of the healthcare setting and less individuals are wearing masks, making it potentially simpler to contract.

Historical examples lend credence to the hypothesis that some individuals may already be immune. HIV, norovirus, and a parasite that causes recurrent malaria are all protected from by genetic alterations that provide natural immunity. Exactly why Covid would be different?

With COVID-19, scientists haven't found a genetic mutation that renders everyone immune (not yet, at least). It's not that the virus can't infect their cells, like HIV can, but rather that COVID-19 is attacked by their immune system and removed from their body even before any symptoms appear.