Dr. Fauci Warns States That Are At Risk For Future Covid-19 Outbreaks
One of the biggest conclusions that experts are gathering from the current coronavirus pandemic, is that human beings may be living in a world where Covid-19 continues to exist forever. The shift will be more about controlling the spread and managing outbreaks through vaccination efforts; much like the world did with the measles.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s leading infectious disease expert and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force recently spoke with the press about states at the most risk of new outbreaks currently, and what the future of America could look like in a post-pandemic world. He claimed that once the percentage of positive case numbers goes way down, that will signify a “win” over the virus for the US.
Currently New York, for example, has an infection rate of less than 1%, the lowest it’s ever been, which Fauci says he would like to see the rest of the country look like. However, many states aren’t even close to that number. In states such as Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, and Texas, infection rates are still between 15%-20%, which is “really high” according to Fauci.
Fauci also believes that once a coronavirus vaccine is made available, the government may not enforce everyone to get it. The only exception will likely be for individuals working in the healthcare industry due to their heightened risk of exposure. A similar policy has already been in place for individuals working in hospitals in regards to being vaccinated for the flu. This procedure has always been in place for a lot of healthcare facilities, as it reduces the risk of transmission between all parties present at a given facility.
One of the biggest concerns from citizens throughout the past month has been our potential break up with the World Health Organization (WHO) after president Donald Trump claimed that the US would be leaving the organization. However, it’s not as simple as Trump has made it seem, and the US is still very much in communication with the WHO.
Fauci claims that he and his colleagues are on a weekly call list that is sponsored by the WHO, and brings together health authorities and scientists from every country in the world that’s battling Covid-19 currently. The purpose of this weekly call is to allow every country’s CDC to exchange information and containment efforts as a means of reducing infection rates.
“We have scientific collaborations with our colleagues in Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico. We have clinical trial networks in South Africa, and Brazil. So there’s an awful lot of international activity going on, you don’t hear about that very much in the press, but it really is going on rather intensively.”
Fauci also claimed that when it comes to school reopening throughout the country, there is “no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether schooling should be all virtual.” He went on to explain that America is a much larger country than most, so one universal policy for every state that is differently populated just wouldn’t make sense.
He concluded his address to the media by reinforcing the ways in which we all can reduce the spread of this virus until a vaccine is readily available. Continue to wear a face mask, get tested if you’re exhibiting any symptoms or think you may have been exposed to someone who’s positive. Practice social distancing every time you go out and only leave the house for essential errands. Wash your hands regularly, and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
