Moving on
We are in lockdown since couple days ago, COVID-19 delta variant finally made it to the country and the government (and most of the people) were OK about going into a sharp and hard lockdown to manage this. For the rest of the world, moving into lockdown after only one case made no sense, however after few days the number of contacts and places of potential contact has been quickly growing so that alone justifies the effort. Not a perfect scenario, but even with this local wave I feel optimistic about where are we heading.
I was watching a video from Jacob Glanville about what happens next with the pandemic. As existing vaccines roll out and new vaccines are on the way the natural question is when are we back to normal life?
Different nations had different approaches, ranging from complete elimination (New Zealand and others), flattening the curve (most countries) or simply let it go (Sweden and others). A common goal was to achieve some level of global immunity, either normal or through vaccination too, with original estimations of about 60% or more of the population vaccinated to eradicate the virus. Reality is that with new variants and people reluctant to get vaccinated everywhere that will not be possible.
Things will not get back to normal magically either.
The good news, however, is that vaccines work really well against the virus.
So reality plays out a bit different than expected but still manageable:
- There is no point on aiming to eliminate the virus. Sooner or later we all will have to catch it, but as effective vaccines and treatments are available we are much better prepared than last year.
- That said, please do your part on getting a vaccine, use a mask and/or stay home when needed. That will help others to have a less stressful day.
- COVID will be around for at least couple more years, with seasonal waves here and there, until we find a treatment as happened with other diseases.
- Until then travel will be a bit limited, in the sense that different nations/areas may have different rules for allowing to visit or quarantine after traveling, events or plans will need to be a bit flexible in case of cancellations, etc.
- On the other hand travel local and/or exploring safe areas is a great option too.
- Access to vaccines or treatments will be the main thing in the mid-term, with poor countries depending on excess or donations from richer countries, it will be some moral debate about it until more affordable or simple access vaccine/treatment are developed.
- People will still be denying the virus, against vaccination, etc. Do not waste your time trying to convince them with facts, they will still choose not to get the vaccine and/or not follow any basic recommendation.
Either way, the future looks positive, it’s sunrise after a long and cold night.
On a more light note, the video below shows why it makes no sense to try to convince some people with facts.
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge”
Daniel J. Boorstin
Couple extra good reads
COVID - the whatever phase
