Yes. To highlight the response to a) - flattening the curve means that the peak is lower, but also that the area is smaller. The herd immunity level is always r

Yes. To highlight the response to a) - flattening the curve means that the peak is lower, but also that the area is smaller. The herd immunity level is always reached and overshot, but with a flatter curve the overshoot is smaller, and it can also be reached with vaccination. Thus, saving lives, even without full containment.