Experts Debate When ‘Normal’ Life Will Resume After COVID

The most common question since the beginnings of the destruction caused by COVID-19 has been: When will life return to normal? Experts Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. William Schaffer, and Dr. W David Hardy gave their opinions on what our lives could look like in the coming months as scientists begin to understand more about the virus.

Dr. Anthony Fauci

Dr. Fauci begins by stressing two very important factor regarding the virus — a vaccine will not stop the virus or contain a global pandemic alone and the US must commit to continue social distancing, wearing masks, and to continue to be educated about the virus and a vaccine when it is released to the public. These factors will help keep the baseline level of the virus low so that if surges occur, the effects will be less severe; Dr. Fauci also stresses that as we enter flu season it is important to stay up-to-date with flu shots. His main concerns surrounding what “normal” could be are focused on the cooperation of American citizens, he states “when you want people to do the kinds of things that can mitigate the spread and you see people still not doing it” is both very discouraging and damaging to the community as a whole. Dr. Fauci’s following concerns are the vaccine and how to fairly and safely distribute it to citizens, beginning with proper education on the vaccine prior to distribution. Overall, Dr. Fauci believes that it is more important to focus on what is “normal” for citizens today and to adjust to this new lifestyle, as even with a vaccine, there will continue to be restrictions and our current way of living will still be encouraged when a vaccine is available.

Dr. William Schaffer

Dr. Schaffer begins with a realistic approach to the effects of the virus stating that “Covid […] isn’t going to just disappear miraculously, it won’t just fade away.” His sentiments compare the virus to that of the flu; even with a vaccine for the flu, it has an effectiveness rate of about 70% meaning that it is unlikely to see a complete eradication of a virus like COVID. He also states that it is likely that the vaccine may need 2 doses which can deter citizens from getting the vaccine, amongst other factors like miseducation and religious or health concerns. Dr. Schaffer believes that proper education and information transparency can reduce panic and mistrust of the vaccine. Dr. Shaffer ends with a hopeful statement — “It’s not a sprint it’s a marathon. Pace yourself and we will get there.”

Dr. W David Harvey

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Harvey suspects we will enter a “new normal” when 65–70% of the population has received the vaccine. With the current stages of the vaccine, he hopes that by the second or third quarter of 2021, there will be an available vaccine ready for distribution. He encourages citizens to trust in the scientific process and the progress made by scientists since the emergence of COVID-19. No longer are scientists or the public in a state of complete unknown as when the virus began affecting millions. He also hypothesizes that masking will become a practice that could become a seasonal occurrence due to the flu season, social distancing will remain in effect regardless, and even pleasantries such as handshaking may become a thing of the past.
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