At the beginning of the pandemic I thought a lot (like everyone) about how the pandemic could be managed in everyday life. In addition to providing news on technological research (use of sanitizing robots, searches on vaccines and other genre) I also tried to make predictions based on the data at the moment (Coronavirus, Four scenarios of the return to (new) normalcy) and the potential outcome of the pandemic (Covid-19 is likely to become endemic - here's what it means). Find it all, anyway, in the dedicated section.
It goes without saying that, although contradictory it may be due to the very particular situation, I have always tried to encourage you to read researchers' studies, not to stop at television statements or alarmist outbursts from politicians and sometimes even virologists. It is even more important this year that there is no need to identify the enemy, but in this "new life" a liquid war of positions, changeable by definition, must be fought against him.
Anyway, my “queen” question this year is whether Covid-19 will ever end. If and to what extent our life in the next few years will resemble the one we lived until December 2019. Will future generations refer to these years as we refer to the times of the Spanish flu today? Will we all be immunized in a global effort like we did against polio and overcome the virus, or will it live with us forever?
Someone said “it's not about predicting the future, but about minimizing surprise”. Well, this is the feeling that always animates me. This is my new take on the situation to try and reduce further surprises.
New life: what we already know and what could remain
- Thorough hand washing and increased emphasis on basic hygiene
This should have been the right practice a long time ago, but now it's here to stay. This is not a joke, because it will bring about a cultural change in many countries: it seems like a small thing, but remember the butterfly effect. - Handshakes are a thing of the past
After trying the fist salute, the elbow salute or even with your feet, maybe it's time we all learn the Japanese greeting. Yes, we Italians too. Although I would prefer the Vulcan one. - La telemedicine as a new norm
There will be many remote medical touchpoints from now on. Part of the relationship we have with doctors will take place digitally, and online medical assistance and counseling services will grow a lot. - Digital contact tracking is not working
It won't work yet due to privacy concerns, platform differences between big tech companies and… the incorrect and partial use that users make of it. The "digital passport" is a different matter, on which I cannot yet comment due to insufficient information. - Vaccinations work, for now
And their possible side effects are relatively small. Doubts arise about the medium-term effects, especially about the stability of immunization. In the meantime, those who have been vaccinated should not be too anxious, and those who have not yet done so should think about it. Seriously.
That what is going to happen, or will be decided soon
- Vaccination of children
With the USA and other countries already vaccinating those over 16, we are one step away from vaccinating teenagers and children in other countries too. The authorizations are upon us (and the studies are in the pipeline) for the age group of children And 12 15 years and also younger . The head of BioNTech, Ugur Sahin, Has announced “positive (but preliminary) study results at the end of March, for children aged 12 to 15.” - Vaccination of pregnant and lactating women
Expecting mothers are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms from Covid-19, so it's even more important that they get vaccinated. At the same time, nursing mothers pass on antibodies to their newborns after receiving the dose. - Herd immunity (unless dangerous and currently unexploded variants)
Herd immunity is reached when the spread of the disease becomes unlikely due to the large number of people vaccinated. There are already many good examples of countries that seem to have gotten there, primarily Israel. There, almost 60% of its 9,3 million inhabitants have already been vaccinated. The Seychelles islands are aiming for the big target, 100% of its 100.000 inhabitants, a bit like the Italian islands, when we get there. If all goes well, and I allow the spells, the EU should reach herd immunity by the end of summer 2021 (autumn, I remind you, arrives on 21 October).
Life from today: what we still don't know.
- Annual re-vaccinations and vaccinations
It is currently unclear whether we will need a third dose of vaccines. Major pharmaceutical companies (such as Pfizer and J&J) have dealt with the problem stating that in addition to the third dose for full vaccination, there may be an annual repeat of the vaccine, just like seasonal flu shots. Furthermore, due to the slowness of vaccinations we can even expect new waves of viruses in the "new life". - Masks and vaccines
We don't even know what the "new life" will be like in highly vaccinated regions/areas (will everyone return without masks, even indoors?). Meanwhile, everyone outside seems to agree that sooner or later we will do without it. With a “cutting-edge” position: the American CDC. - Combined vaccines
We do not yet know whether it is possible to put or combine vaccines together. If there was an annual Covid-19 vaccination, could it be combined with the one against seasonal flu? It's not such a strange question: the combinations have already been used for decades. Trivalent vaccines, even quadrivalent ones are the norm. Will mRNA vaccines complicate this problem? It's a question that scientists need to answer.
These are my rules of thumb for the next few months of this “new life”. As the other time, no advice: just what I'll do.
RULE n ° 1. – I will never meet people without masks, unless in some cases I know that they have received both doses of their vaccines.
RULE N ° 2. – I will maintain social distancing. If it's not guaranteed in a place, I don't go there.
RULE N. 3. – Experiencing social anxiety is fine with me. Since I've changed so many habits in a year of isolation, it will take some time before I get back to the old ones. The ones I really like, that is. I will easily do without the others.
RULE n ° 4. – Ferrea: In all everyday situations, everyone around me is not vaccinated until proven otherwise.
I know, it's not a big deal, but this is how we live for now, in the year of our Lord 2021. “Normal” will never have the same meaning as before, get that out of your head. By adopting these steps, however, I can slowly enter the future, and before long also get comfortable in this "new" life.
