How long will you have to wear a mask and socially distance yourself from those who don’t live in your home?
According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert in the U.S., it is going to be awhile.
While Fauci admitted that he isn’t exactly sure how much of the population would need to be infected with COVID or vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, in a best-case scenario—if the majority had immunity—it will still be over a year before any sort of normalcy exists.
“Let’s assume its 75% of the population is protected either from already being infected and/or having a vaccine. I think by the time we get there, it’s going to be well into the end of this year before that occurs, so I don’t think people are going to be able to get rid of the masks and not worry about social distancing and avoiding crowds until we get into the third quarter or fourth quarter of 2021,” he said.
If the vaccine is effective and people actually get it, things could be “close to normal,” at that time.
Fauci also urged the importance of sticking to the fundamentals when a vaccine does hit the market—which will likely be in the next few months. If they don’t, it could be “very dangerous,” he warned.
Even before there is a COVID vaccine, Dr. Fauci points out that there is an easy way to protect your health during the coming months: Get a flu shot.
Dr. Fauci explains that if everyone does their part, flu season could be milder than usual this year. ♦
