What happens if a coronavirus vaccine is never developed? It's happened before

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

As countries lie frozen in lockdown and billions of people lose their livelihoods, public figures are teasing a breakthrough that would mark the end of the crippling coronavirus pandemic: a vaccine.

But there is another, worst-case possibility: that no vaccine is ever developed. In this outcome, the public's hopes are repeatedly raised and then dashed, as various proposed solutions fall before the final hurdle.

Instead of wiping out Covid-19, societies may instead learn to live with it. Cities would slowly open and some freedoms will be returned, but on a short leash, if experts' recommendations are followed. Testing and physical tracing will become part of our lives in the short term, but in many countries, an abrupt instruction to self-isolate could come at any time. Treatments may be developed -- but outbreaks of the disease could still occur each year, and the global death toll would continue to tick upwards.

It's a path rarely publicly countenanced by politicians, who are speaking optimistically about human trials already underway to find a vaccine. But the possibility is taken very seriously by many experts -- because it's happened before. Several times.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/what-happens-if-a-coronavirus-vaccine-is-never-developed-its-happened-before/ar-BB13wAe0?li=BBnb7Kz

[safeinOhio]

1. In that case....

Look for a cure.

[abqtommy]

2. No matter what happens with vaccines or cures, a lot more people are going to die. A lot more...

[SoonerPride]

3. +1

[Chainfire]

4. There is zero chances that a vaccine will not be developed and released before the election

The question that remains is how effective, or ineffective, it will be.

When it does come out, I will keep up my current safety precautions until you folk have used it effectively for nine months, before I get one. I have not yet grown bored with protecting my life.

[mn9driver]

5. With no vaccine, the human population will continue to get it.

The chance of eradicating something this contagious and this widespread through any sort of lockdown that could realistically be used is basically zero. It is here to stay.

All we can do without a vaccine is try to control the rate of spread for the sake of the people who will need the ICUs. We probably have a very long period of distancing and lockdowns ahead of us.

I’ve seen estimates from supposedly reputable and educated experts that are guessing 3 years for us to get to the point where herd immunity will keep the number of critical cases manageable without distancing. Some speculate it will take even longer.

[Voltaire2]

6. Social distancing with effective testing, contact tracing, and strict quarantine for exposed

individuals can stop the spread of any infectious disease, including this one. It is the route South Korea is taking and if they keep at it they will effectively eliminate covid-19 within their borders.

But it takes discipline, effective leadership, clear communication from those in charge of public health, and a general acceptance within the population to join in individual sacrifice for the common good. We have none of that. So we are fucked until an effective vaccine is available or we reach herd immunity naturally along with 1-4 million dead.