Anthony Fauci, MD: What Happens After the Pandemic?
Dr. Fauci gives perspective on the future presence of the virus, improving US pandemic preparedness, and the theological divisions which have plagued national response.
The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is going to end.
Anthony Fauci, MD, was confident in making that statement on the most recent episode of Lungcast with HCPLive® and the American Lung Association (ALA).
But details determining how and when it would end are still in play—some factors being scientific, but most being societal. A collective and committed effort toward starving the virus could effectively end its control of how people have been required to live life for the last 7 months without worry.
But there needs to be a trust in science, Fauci said.
“I think it’s so easily transmissible, that I don’t think it’s going to disappear like SARS,” he said. “Whether it becomes seasonal in the sense of returning and being around chronically is going to depend completely on the level of efficacy of the virus, and how many people get vaccinated.”
Fauci has doubts COVID-19 can be wholly eradicated, imagining instead it could exist as any risk of a common cold virus would, albeit with greater and more unknown risks in those affected.
From what he’s observed in the US’ divisiveness—an overwhelming split on theology surrounding public health practices which no doubt burdened the quality of pandemic response thus far—there needs to be great changes.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Fauci said. “I mean, there should be no argument about wearing a mask or physical distancing. It becomes you’re on this side or that side.”
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