Shaping our future

WE’RE six months into the new world created by the coronavirus pandemic. But a vaccine – by itself – may not be the silver bullet we’ve all been hoping for. What will it take to bring this virus under our control? Will the virus evolve to become more virulent, but less lethal, if it spreads widely?

If the vaccine hopes do not pan out – or at least not as well as hoped – will we see a mix of public health measures for the medium term, alongside better treatments and further investment in critical care and post-viral rehabilitation? With this virus, there is substantial transmission that occurs without symptoms. That means you don’t know who’s infected, and it makes it almost impossible to control without a vaccine.

With this coronavirus, people can feel perfectly well and walk around, spreading it. It is possible the virus will become less severe, but at the moment that is only speculation and you can’t just assume it will. Still, the likely endpoint of this outbreak will see it settle down as an endemic disease – one of the suites of respiratory viruses like influenza and the common cold that travel around the world year after year, with most of us regarding them as little more than a nuisance. That’s reason to maintain vigilance around measures like hand-washing and touchavoidance, even if the pandemic seems to be on the ebb.

We’re not on the brink of doom. Taking modest and sensible precautions should keep most people safe. In time, Covid-19 may be remembered not so much with dread as with historical curiosity. But the coming months, and years, will change us. ANTHONY WOODS,

Ennis, Co. Clare.