Why Have Some People Been Able To Avoid Getting COVID-19?
More than 90 million people in the United States have had COVID-19, with a daily average of 125,000 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most likely, you've either had the virus or know several people who've had it. Even as early as 2020, some people were catching it twice because the immunity from their previous infection had worn off (via Science).
Despite being directly exposed to COVID-19, some people still haven't tested positive, as per Healthline. The "Novids" might have a genetic makeup that boosted their immunity to the highly-transmissible virus. Others took measures, such as wearing masks, avoiding crowded indoor places, getting vaccinated, or working from home as much as possible. According to Politico, some people have fewer places in their nose, throat, and lungs for the virus to hook onto, making it difficult for the virus to spread. Keep in mind, people exposed to other types of coronaviruses, such as the common cold, may have been more protected against COVID-19 (via NPR).
Maybe you had COVID-19 and didn't know
Even if you've never tested positive for COVID-19, it doesn't mean that you don't have the antibodies to ward off the virus, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, they estimate that almost 60% of Americans have evidence of a past or settling COVID-19 infection. According to Healthline, many people who might have had the virus didn't experience symptoms, attributed symptoms to a cold or allergies, or relied on a less-reliable rapid antigen test. A 2020 review in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that 40-45% of COVID-19 infections were caused by those who didn't know they had the virus.
Researchers tell U.S. News & World Report that those who haven't had COVID-19 should still consider getting vaccinated, even if they have been concerned about long-term side effects. After all, any COVID-19 infection runs the risk of a trip to the hospital or long-haul COVID.
If you've had COVID-19 already, reinfection poses the risk of more health complications. Therefore, the CDC recommends vaccination, social distancing, wearing a face covering, and avoiding large crowds indoors to prevent further infection.