COVID-19 Almost Over

[Jillie Norman 39]

We are nearing the end of this year. Although there's a hopeful thought that the pandemic will be gone along with it, it's highly unlikely. The most affected industry is the tourism as we are all urged to stay home. Some have invented some kind of virtual tour and such. What do you guys think of this? Will this be the new tourism for a couple of years or so?

[ukrules 19,771]

COVID is now endemic in most of the world. Within a year or two it will be endemic everywhere.

 

Once the populations are vaccinated the doors can be opened when the government choose to do so.

 

My estimate is that this will happen some time in 2022.

 

But lets not kid ourselves, COVID will still be endemic (which means normal, widespread and relatively common - like a cold).

 

[Scott 15,940]

A conspiracy post with false or misleading information has been reported and removed. 

 

[Jingthing 68,127]

It's clearly not almost over. We're still closer to the beginning than the end. I agree it will eventually be a kind of "manageable" endemic but first we need to vaccinate most of the entire world. 

[Bluetongue 1,162]

Well to answer the OP. I'm not a fan of virtual tourism, I'd rather see a movie. I certainly wouldn't part with any of my hard earned to go on a virtual tour. Call me old fashioned, but I like my swims real, my beers cold, my girlfriends warm and my colours vivid through my own eyes.

[Peter Denis 6,250]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

... first we need to vaccinate most of the entire world. 

... first people need to understand that vaccinating the entire world is total madness.

[Techno Viking 954]

what is virtual tourism?

[luckyluke 3,772]

2 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

... first people need to understand that vaccinating the entire world is total madness.

 

I don't get why it is madness.

I may change my view when I know why you claim it is.

[oompie69 377]

25 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

what is virtual tourism?

It's a bit like dreaming. You are not really there.

[Walker88 2,579]

It's going to take time and longer than anyone wants. Even when vaccines are widely available, countries will decide for themselves when and how much to re-open borders.

 

Herd immunity, at least with Covid-19, is a shibboleth. Antibodies are found to last 2-3 months maximum. The initial Chinese research in this regards is being confirmed by additional study. Thus, it's going to take an effective vaccine or vaccines.

 

The two most promising vaccines---Pfizer and Moderna---come with a bit of small print. Both require two shots, an initial injection and a booster a few weeks later.  Immunity is not instant and takes a few months to build. Both vaccines also require liquid nitrogen cold storage until getting ready for injection. That may be doable in large cities, but the logistics of deep cold storage in rural areas or developing countries is an issue. Then there is the problem of production. Pfizer claims it can have 50 million doses by December. Sounds good, but the US alone has 330,000,000 people. Widespread inoculation will be a long process.

 

Finally, 95% effective is great for a corona vaccine (65% if about tops for the common flu), but 5% of 7.7 billion people is a lot of people. The world is going to have to live with lost lives from this new pathogen.

 

Addressing the virus will likely require both vaccines and treatment programs that use drugs which mitigate the worst effects or suppress the virus. Think of the latter like the drugs used to keep HIV at bay without ever actually curing it.

 

Yes, there is astonishing progress in vaccine development, but again, individual countries will decide what they are willing to risk and when. Thailand has been particularly cautious, and that has yielded benefits which the government may not want to put at risk.

[Jingthing 68,127]

36 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

... first people need to understand that vaccinating the entire world is total madness.

Says the extremist anti-vaxxer brigade.

This group is a major threat to controlling the pandemic.

Of course it's important to determine that any vaccines released are safe and effective. But that doesn't mean 100 percent safe and effective. Nothing in the world meets that impossible standard.

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anti-vax-movement-among-top-10-global-health-threats-for-2019-world-health-organization/

Edited November 19 by Jingthing

[FarFlungFalang 8,416]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

It's clearly not almost over. We're still closer to the beginning than the end. I agree it will eventually be a kind of "manageable" endemic but first we need to vaccinate most of the entire world. 

I won't be paying for any vaccine.Especially when I'm sure I've already had it.Never really been worried by this virus.

[Jingthing 68,127]

6 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I won't be paying for any vaccine.Especially when I'm sure I've already had it.Never really been worried by this virus.

The current research appears to indicate that having had it doesn't necessarily provide immunity for a long time. So your reasoning is suspect.

Edited November 19 by Jingthing

[johnnybangkok 4,811]

9 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I won't be paying for any vaccine.Especially when I'm sure I've already had it.Never really been worried by this virus.

Well it's just as well science and world governments aren't just relying on your anecdotal evidence.

[cormanr7 43]

Very misleading title. COVID-19 will likely become endemic. There is no question of vaccinating 7.5 billion people (many of whom will refuse anyway), will be limited to risk groups. Much will depend on how long potential vaccines will be effective, if they last for only 3 months it is next to useless. Vaccinating everybody is not required anyway to reduce the number of infections. It may well be that for the immediate future, vaccination will be required in order to travel abroad. Even then, additional tests might well be required (I am thinking specifically of SE Asia, China and Japan).

Though I like to look at travel pictures (which for me do no include selfies by the innumerable attention seekers and narcissists) now and then,  I am not a fan of virtual tourism. Nothing can replace the real thing. 

Edited November 19 by cormanr7
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