PARIS – There is little chance of a 100% effective coronavirus vaccine by 2021, a French expert warned Sunday, urging people to take social distancing measures more seriously.
“A vaccine has been in development for several years,” said epidemiologist Arnaud Fontanet, a member of the team of scientists who advises the government on the crisis, speaking on BFMTV television.
“Of course, there is an unprecedented effort to develop a vaccine, but I would be very surprised if we had that it was effective in 2021,” he added.
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While there would likely be one that partially worked, it would still be a long way from the end of the crisis, he said.
That being the case, “we have to live with this virus,” he said. And since another block was out of the question, people had to go back to “more serious habits.”
French medical epidemiologist Arnaud Fontanet speaks during a press conference in Paris, Saturday March 28, 2020 (Geoffroy van Der Hasselt, Pool via AP)
“This summer, let’s respect physical distance, at least!” he said, stressing that large gatherings were the main threat.
On Saturday, a DJ on a beach in the Nice Mediterranean resort gathered thousands of people, prompting a furious reaction on social media.
Also on Saturday, a group of well-known doctors called on the government to force masks into public buildings in a bid to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus.
Fontanet said the main risks to the emergence of new groups of viruses were in confined spaces, such as on cruise ships, warships, sports halls, discos, slaughterhouses, accommodation that houses migrant workers and places of worship.
On Wednesday, the French government said it was preparing for a second wave of COVID-19, but that instead of imposing another national blockade, they would use “specific” measures such as orders to stay home or close deals.
