Scientists: Prepare for coronavirus to be around for decades

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

LONDON — The U.K. will not be back to normality by Christmas, with the coronavirus set to be around for “decades” to come, Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies member and director of the Wellcome Trust Jeremy Farrar told MPs on Tuesday.

This is contrary to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s assertion that the country would be able to return to normality by Christmas.

“Things will not be done by Christmas," said Farrar, while addressing the House of Commons health and social care committee. “Even actually if we have a vaccine or a very good treatment, humanity will still be living with the virus for many, many years to come.”

John Bell, Oxford University’s regius professor of medicine, went further, saying that the “reality is that this virus will be with us forever.” “It is going to come and go,” he said.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/21/scientists-prepare-for-coronavirus-to-be-around-for-decades-375768

[jalan48]

1. Our current economic and societal systems can't deal with pandemics and the oncoming climate

change catastrophe. It's time to rethink our work to consume and entertain models. There's no going back to the good old days IMHO.

[Locrian]

9. i agree

but oh boy are they going to try....

And there is the whole shock doctrine /disaster capitalism thing that will be turbocharged in terms of the rich sucking up every last drop of resources and "wealth".

But yes - this world is becoming a very different place. We (all ) will have to change and adapt or go extinct. Including the rich.

[jalan48]

11. I think you are right about the shock doctrine. I hope Biden can win and pull us back from the

precipice.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Nature is capricious and survival-of-the-fittest

Hard hearted though that reality is. It will weed out those most susceptible initially, morph a little, and then come back for more. In that respect just like conventional flu strains. With vaccines it can be mollified, hopefully added to annual flu shots.

[Siwsan]

3. Remember, although bacterial, Bubonic Plague is still around, too.

None of these things ever go away. We have to learn to adapt and mitigate, or die.

[marybourg]

4. As is the H1N1 strain that caused the "Spanish Flu" pandemic.

But we’re not affected by it on a daily basis.

[Siwsan]

7. In time, we may 'evolve' to a point of a much higher tolerance for this virus.

Some people already have that benefit. What will be the game changer, IMHO, is understanding what is it that allows it to run rampant in some people, while others can 'ride it out', so to speak.

My brother had Covid and was at my house, several times, during what we now know was when he was highly contagious. I got what I assumed was a slight cold virus, shortly after he started getting really sick. All I had was a slight fever, mild sore throat, cough and fatigue but within a week I was much better. He, on the other hand, was flat on his back for over 2 weeks and still affected for several more. So, who knows. Oh, and we both have type A blood and I'm 10 years older.

Fortunately, he seems to be fully recovered, even though he battled fatigue for a couple of months.

[zanana1]

5. How can a 68-year-old woman with heart disease adapt?

Old people count, too.

[Siwsan]

6. Unfortunately, what other choice is there?

I'm not far from that age but I admit to being freakishly healthy. That being said, I know that probably won't last forever so I've adapted to a much more cautious lifestyle. No doubt my life as it is now, is pretty much what I expect it to be for the duration of my stay on the planet.

So I'm staying out of crowds, wearing a mask when I leave the house, sanitizing my hands before and after using a shopping cart, washing my hands as soon as I get home from an errand AND after putting things away, keeping a supply of necessities on hand, and doing what ever I can to keep my immune system as healthy as possible.

And just as important, I'm keeping my body and brain active. That's keeping me at a somewhat acceptable level of sanity.

Because the other option is just irresponsible and deadly.

[mahina]

8. How does anyone?

What a mess.

Unimaginable that it was just ignored by our national “leadership.”

Masks, staying away from crowds, washing, social distancing, all that...

Good luck to all.

[roamer65]

10. Eventually there will be vaccines that greatly mitigate the virus.

I don’t expect the first ones to be 100 percent effective, but if they reduce possible severe cases to mild ones that is a large step forward.

[usajumpedtheshark]

12. like the vaccine that stops the common cold?

and thanks to the antivacciners it will still kill people