— a condition known as sterilizing immunity — immune cells

[GoodTaste]

Is the first dash "—" used correctly here? With it, "a condition" would seem to refer to "antibodies" or "a second infection" and cause confusion. The following words clearly point to this condition refers to "sterilizing immunity", which is different from antibodies that bestows our body long lasting immunity.

Should the dash be removed? I am not very sure.
======================
Immunity to the Coronavirus May Last Years, New Data Hint
Blood samples from recovered patients suggest a powerful, long-lasting immune response, researchers reported.

......................
But many immunologists have noted that it is natural for antibody levels to drop. Besides, antibodies are just one arm of the immune system.


Although antibodies in the blood are needed to block the virus and forestall a second infection — a condition known as sterilizing immunity — immune cells that “remember” the virus more often are responsible for preventing serious illness.

Source: New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/health/coronavirus-immunity.html

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, the dash is fine.

It cannot be removed because both dashes are surrounding the parenthetical phrase between them.

 

[GoodTaste]

What does “a condition” refer to? Does it refer to antibiotics?

 

[emsr2d2]

What does “a condition” refer to? Does it refer to antibiotics?

When did antibiotics come into it? Did you mean antibodies?

 

[jutfrank]

What does “a condition” refer to? Does it refer to antibiotics?

It refers to 'sterilizing immunity'. This is a condition where the immune system prevents the virus from replicating. Here, this is phrased as the antibodies 'blocking' the virus.

 

[GoodTaste]

It refers to 'sterilizing immunity'. This is a condition where the immune system prevents the virus from replicating. Here, this is phrased as the antibodies 'blocking' the virus.

So here “sterilizing immunity” refers to antibodies?

 

[GoodTaste]

When did antibiotics come into it? Did you mean antibodies?

Yes antibodies. I worked on my iPad, which was not smart enough here.

 

[jutfrank]

So here “sterilizing immunity” refers to antibodies?

No.

See here for a simple description of what sterilizing immunity is: https://thehill.com/changing-americ...hat-is-sterilizing-immunity-and-do-we-need-it

 

[GoesStation]

Yes antibodies. I [STRIKE]worked[/STRIKE] was using on my iPad, which was not smart enough here.

Hi emsr2d2!

 

[YAMATO2201]

Yes antibodies. I [STRIKE]worked[/STRIKE] was using on my iPad, which was not smart enough here.

Why did you not strike out "on"?

 

[Tarheel]

We all make mistakes. Including me. (It's true!)

 

[GoesStation]

Why did you not strike out "on"?

We all make mistakes. Including me. (It's true!)

Good catch. I meant to strike "on" as well.