By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
As COVID-19 cases have again soared in the United States, surpassing the 4 million mark of those known to have the virus, the foremost infectious disease doctor is issuing a new and unsettling warning.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, declared that even if a vaccine candidate gets through the testing process and is successful by the end of the year, it will be several months before vaccination is widespread across the US.
“I think as we get into 2021, several months in, that you would have a vaccine that would be widely available to people in the United States,” Fauci stated, meaning that wouldn’t occur until at least the spring of next year.
Fauci is scheduled to sit for a live interview with BlackPressUSA at noon on Thursday, July 30. Part of BlackPressUSA and the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s “#FIYAH!” livestream, the interview will broadcast at www.Facebook.com/BlackPressUSA, and www.YouTube.com/c/BlackPressUSATV.
“We have seldom eradicated infectious diseases, with exceptions such as polio and smallpox. It is very likely that COVID-19 will eventually be viewed as Influenza, part of our on-going public health concerns,” noted Dr. Don L. Goldenberg, emeritus professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.
“However, until we understand more about this unique virus until we have an effective and safe vaccine and more than 50 percent of the population has some natural or vaccine immunity, COVID-19 will continue to be as devastating as epidemics like the Spanish Flu,” Dr. Goldenberg added.
“Until that time and going forward, the most important thing we must be doing is investing in public health and preventative medicine. Even if a vaccine is available, only 50 percent of Americans currently say they will take it.”
Dr. Goldenberg continued:
“This 50 percent acceptance of flu immunizations in our country, if that persists, will increase the chance of COVID-19 and flu infections occurring at the same time this winter, once again overwhelming hospitals. Americans must listen to and trust public health experts if we are going to co-exist with COVID-19 in the coming year optimally.”
There aren’t many available options going forward, stated Dr. Leann Poston, of Invigor Medical.
“I feel that we cannot shut down the economy again. We have seen how other countries have gotten COVID under control using aggressive masking, social distancing, and contact tracing. We need to do the same,” Dr. Poston demanded.
See Dr. Fauci’s live interview with the Black Press at noon, Thursday, July 30.
