For SARS co-V -COVID-19, we are on every front. It’s the race against time.

Given worldwide immunity was nonexistent and how interconnected society has become, the first spread (rate of infection) of the disease had serious consequences in most parts of the world.

Those countries that have succeeded at containing the spread of the disease have safeguarded their resources (healthcare resources: staff, equipment, space) to keep the death toll to a minimum. Those that couldn’t saw more than 10 % of their confirmed cases die.

But even if contained, the threat remains and the race is on. There could be a second wave if the containment measures are lifted too quickly. We need to be careful for as long as we don’t have collective immunity. 

By May 2020, calculating only confirmed cases (we know many have been contaminated and cured without being confirmed) we may reach 0.04% of the world’s population exposed.

If we are optimistic and that 10 times more people have been infected with few symptoms, we may reach 0.4%.  This is far from collective immunity.

We still need to buy time and lot of it. We also need to put our struggling economies back on track.

To do so, scientists are looking at curative treatment as well as preventive ones. A curative treatment will likely come before a preventative one.

The current curative strategies aim at using already available medications to see if we can repurposed them to treat COVID-19. Some have shown promise. As with any medication, curative or preventive, clinical trials have to be conducted.

Given the worldwide emergency, some clinical trials approvals are going faster and scientists from across the globe are collaborating. This will help. Optimism is rising and a cure may be available soon.

As for a vaccine, there is signs that we may see one by the end of 2021. In record speed considering that collective knowledge of SARS co-V was close to zero at the beginning of 2020.

So at first we needed to buy time to get organized.

Procurement of equipment was a first issue. As we are getting organized, our equipment needs remain. We will need equipment to slowly reintegrate our economic activities while limiting infection. All the while scientists look for treatment options and a vaccine.

Let’s keep at it to flatten the curve, protect our healthcare system and keep our death statistics to a minimum.  While giving time to scientists.

The recommendations: wash your hands, cough in your elbow, wear a mask, and keep a social distance, quarantine if sick.

The new normal until there is a vaccine…and probably beyond.

Once a vaccine is developed, collective immunity will only be built if most get vaccinated. Similar to wearing a mask: you get vaccinated a bit for yourself, mostly for your community.  To protect your community, your neighbors, the world. Wear a mask if you can’t get vaccinated.