Leading expert: the virus will disappear next fall

When will the pandemic finally end? When can we move and live freely again? The famous German virologist Alexander Kekule gives a surprising answer, which also contains a prognosis, Deutsche Welle reported.

The limitations brought about by the coronavirus are a severe test for all people. Time seems to have stopped flowing in the usual way. It is about the number of new infections, deaths, tests, bans, risks. And the recent end of the pandemic does not appear to be looming. It is even more remarkable that the famous German virologist Alexander Kekule gives a relatively optimistic answer.

Alexander Kekule: cautiously optimistic forecast

Professor Alexander Kekule shared his “working hypothesis” about when the pandemic will end: nursing homes in Germany, “he explained. The warm weather will also help ease the epidemic.

“My optimistic hope is that the virus will disappear this summer and will not return next fall,” said the expert, who also criticized some elements of Germany’s pandemic strategy. The virologist said that the risk of contagion during the Christmas holidays is quite great.

Young and old meet at Christmas, and this intergenerational mix increases the risk of infection while people are not yet vaccinated. Kukule thinks it would be better if schools were closed in the run-up to the holidays. However, it appeals to people’s sense of responsibility and recommends limiting personal contact and taking unnecessary risks. If an infection is suspected, people should undergo rapid tests, according to the virologist.

Initially, the masks will remain

Vaccines in the European Union may be available in late 2020 or early 2021. However, when the spread of Covid-19 will be limited depends on the speed and effectiveness with which the coronavirus vaccines will be distributed and delivered to humans. Euronews ”.

“We have many life-saving vaccines, measles is one example of this, a highly effective vaccine with over 95% efficacy and yet measles outbreaks are still breaking out,” said Dr. Kate O’Brien, Director of immunization, at a press conference. of the World Health Organization.

Many people will not be immunized against the coronavirus in the first six months or the first year, explains Harvard’s Dr. Barry Bloom, which means that “they will have the ability to transmit the infection.” This means that protective masks will still be necessary at first, even for those who are immunized.