Im not a fan of sticking stuff on here without proper evidence/being able to back it up, so do take this with a pinch of salt/in the spirit it is being shared. It appears to be similar to what I think was SBD (or was it Pete’s) mate and BSB were saying regarding a vaccine. Interesting read none the less and if you try to keep a positive outlook like I do, maybe chink of light in this weeks dark days of news !
This was on the Wycombe massage board -
‘From my perspective, we are trying to suppress the virus over the winter knowing there is a very high chance of a vaccine over the next 6 months. Results of Phase III studies for both mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna) are likely in November, and for the most advanced adenovirus vaccine (AstraZeneca/Oxford), perhaps December. All 3 vaccines have already shown a very strong antibody and T Cell response in Phase I/II, which points to a successful potential vaccine. What actual immunity the vaccine will provide though is the point of contention - hopefully we’ll know this by year’s end with the Phase III results. In my opinion, if the vaccine is safe (and doesn’t cause an infection augmentation, for example - which is almost certain not to happen), the worse case scenario is the patient can still be ‘infected’ but be either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, but can still pass on the virus. Best case, the vaccine prevents infection as a whole (no infection, cannot pass on). My best guess would be it’ll be somewhere in between. So, in English, if you can mass vaccinate, that would end this pandemic (in the region/country of mass vaccination). Probably annual vaccinations needed (like flu) in high risk individuals going forward.
So, I would expect a FDA/MHRA/EMA approval (or minimum an EUA - Emergency Use Authorisation) for one or more vaccines by December. Then vaccinate high risk (elderly, immune compromised etc) late 2020/early 2021. Then, dependent on manufacture and distribution coherence, full mass vaccination in the Spring.
So, the current agenda, whatever you think of it, to suppress does have an exit strategy. Until then, get used to any football on the TV, and wear a mask when you’re out (it will generally reduce asymptomatic spread to others, and there is growing evidence that although it won’t stop you getting coronavirus, it will reduce the amount of virus you are exposed to, what’s called the viral, and mean you are far more likely to have an asymptomatic or only mildly asymptomatic infection).’