Should I be afraid of getting COVID again?

The 12+ million people in the US, and 60 million worldwide, who have been infected with COVID-19 — and survived — are likely asking themselves the same questions: am I immune now? Is it over or do I have to brace myself for the possibility of a reinfection? Moreover, could the second time potentially be worse than the first?

I was diagnosed with COVID in March of this year. After spending ten days in the hospital, and one night in the ICU, it took another 2 months for the air-hunger, headaches and fatigue to completely resolve. Compared to many other unfortunate victims, I did alright — and I am very grateful for the care I received. Now, as the surge in cases takes new life, I will be on the frontlines taking care of patients. Having had an eventful personal encounter with the virus, I now have a unique vantage point and remain fully committed to paying my fortunate circumstances forward. Although I can’t help but wonder about the same question faced by millions of others: am I safe now?

It is no surprise that studies have shown healthcare workers comprising 6% of COVID hospital admissions, with one-third of these admissions being nurses. Recently, we heard that over 900 healthcare workers at Mayo Clinic had acquired the infection in the first 2 weeks of the ongoing second COVID surge. Are these frontline workers protected? Can they return to…