New Data on Natural COVID Immunity

Plus: Inflation Looms Over Markets You are receiving this limited-time email resource as a subscriber to Kiplinger's free e-newsletters. To unsubscribe at any time, simply click the link in the footer below. FEBRUARY 11, 2022 [View in browser]( HOW TO PROTECT AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND INVESTMENTS NOW “Natural immunity” to COVID-19 from a previous infection is generally effective, but less so against the omicron variant, according to a study of patients in Qatar in the Middle East. Against the delta variant and other versions of COVID-19, an infection at least 90 days prior was 90% effective in preventing reinfection. However, it was only 56% effective against the omicron variant, probably because none of the first infections of study patients were of the omicron variety. Having had a first infection of a different variant was still 88% effective in preventing what is known as “severe COVID.” There were no deaths in the study patients. The median age of the patients was a youngish 33, so the odds of developing severe COVID could be higher in those who are older. --------------------------------------------------------------- SPONSORED CONTENT FROM COMPARECARDS [4 Cards With Massive Sign Up Bonuses Get 200 Fast]( Compare unlimited cash back credit cards from our partners offering cash rebates on every purchase, every day! [READ MORE]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The study is an important data point in the issue of whether those with previous infections have resistance to COVID-19 similar to those who have been vaccinated. This study supports that view, though it did not examine how long that immunity might last past 90 days. The issue of the potency of natural immunity has not been settled yet, however, and further studies are needed. Traders have inflation on the brain. Thursday’s January consumer price index (CPI) report clearly signaled that high inflation persists, and thus so does the likelihood of the Federal Reserve ramping up its benchmark rate quickly and often throughout 2022. According to a survey released Thursday, gauging opinions from traders at Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade during early and mid-January, both issues were already among investors’ top worries. When asked their primary concern for the first quarter, respondents’ most popular response was inflation, at 19%, overshadowing a market correction (14%) and Fed rate increases (13%). When asked their level of concern about inflation, 45% of respondents said they were “very concerned,” while another 43% said they were “somewhat concerned.” But how traders are hedging against inflation varies widely. [Real estate investment trusts (REITs)]( – so far, the worst-performing sector of 2022 – were the most popular hedge at 33% of respondents. Behind that was a considerable pivot, to [cryptocurrencies]( at 26%, followed by traditional inflation hedge [gold]( (23%) and [international stocks]( (16%). Free download, [The Kiplinger Letter's Forecast](. No information required from you. SPONSORED CONTENT FROM FARMTOGETHER [Is This Asset Class Missing From Your Portfolio?]( Farmland has historically performed exceptionally well as an investment opportunity, offering investors stable returns, low correlation with other asset classes, and a reliable hedge against inflation. [READ MORE]( RELATED LINKS [Health Care Cost Basics: What They Are and Ways to Save]( [5 Best Mutual Funds to Fight Inflation]( [5 Super Stocks to Stave Off Sizzling Inflation]( [Super Bowl Betting: Tax Tips for Gambling Winnings and Losses]( [Sign Up for Kiplinger's Free Tax Tips E-Newsletter for Money-Saving Tax Planning and Compliance Advice]( [Kiplinger] © Future US LLC. All rights reserved. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( Unsubscribe [click here]( Future US LLC. Registered address: 10th floor, 1100 13th Street, N.W Washington, DC 20005. Further information about how we use your data can be found in our [Privacy Policy](.