Figure 1. Spanish Flu (1918)
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert, told a Brown University panel on Friday that probabilities of a highly effective COVID-19 vaccine "are not great."
"We don't know yet what the efficacy might be. We don't know if it will be 50% or 60%. I'd like it to be 75% or more," Fauci said (quoted by Reuters).
"But the chances of it being 98% effective is not great, which means you must never abandon the public health approach."
Figure 2. More masks = less spread/symptoms
How to Flatten the Pandemic Curve
Dr. Fauci reiterated that the public must abide by these six fundamental principles to flatten the pandemic curve:
- Universal wearing of a mask
- Physical distancing
- Avoiding crowds
- Outdoors is "better" than indoors
- Washing your hands
- Staying away from bars
And, we can do even more for coronavirus prevention:
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Do not shake hands or even hug friends.
- Do not touch your face.
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue and then throw it out.
- Avoid being in crowded places and attending large events.
Figure 3. Masks reduce airborne transmission
References
- Fauci Warns COVID-19 Vaccine May Only Be "50% Or 60%" Effective
- Fauci Warns COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only Partially Effective, Public Health Measures Still Needed
- A family physician’s COVID story
- It’s World Mask Week, Here Are 10 Misconceptions About Face Coverings
- Coronavirus Prevention – Tips to Help Boost Your Immune System
- A COVID-19 vaccine: 5 things that could go wrong
- On the Question of Current and Future Lockdowns
- Interestingly, normal flus and other infectious diseases are down thanks to social distancing and mask usage.
