4 ms·
Will we completely eradicate SARS-CoV-2 and its various mutations... no. Will we reach a point where SARS-CoV-2, and its various mutations, are no longer a sig
by cashsterling 5y ago
Will we completely eradicate SARS-CoV-2 and its various mutations... no.
Will we reach a point where SARS-CoV-2, and its various mutations, are no longer a significant public health concern and we can return to "life as usual"... yes.
- lopis 5y agoWhat exactly makes you think that? If covid disease gets a refresh every couple years like the flu does, it's not impossible that we never, ever get rid of it. It could just become a disease you just expect to get once you're older, unless humans as a species grow immune to it (read that as: lots of us die and only people with resistance to the virus get to breed for a generation or two).
- TrevorJ 5y agoI'm not certain that what you describe is different than what the OP is saying.
- sjg007 5y agoOr it kills us all but not the bats or deer or dogs.
- cashsterling 5y agoYep... it will continue to mutate and we will always have some SARS-CoV-2, as is the case with the flu. SARS-CoV-2 will probably mutate over time to become less virulent but more transmissible. Vaccines and immune system adaptation will allow most of us to not worry about COVID too much until our later years in life, much like the flu. COVID will continue to cause some deaths, but at a much lower level which is generally acceptable, as is the case with the flu.
- mckirk 5y agoThe flu mutates at a way faster rate, though. If the current pandemic was caused by an influenza virus, you'd have a whole lot more strains to worry about. We're only seeing 'this many' Covid variants, because right now it has so many hosts to work with. Whether through vaccination or infection, that will change over time however.