Even though the United States broke a record number of Covid-19 deaths reported in a single day, Dr. Paul Offit told CNN’s New Day that there are several reasons to be hopeful that the coronavirus situation could become “dramatically more good ”soon.
Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital and a member of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, acknowledged that the “terrible” numbers are likely to continue for several months, but said there are reasons for optimism:
Mass vaccinations
There are two “remarkably effective” vaccines and “we’re finally starting to get mass administration,” Offit said, citing examples such as the Pennsylvania Convention Center or Dodger Stadium. Meanwhile, two more vaccines – those from Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca – “are just around the corner,” he added.
Warmer weather
“The weather will heat up, when the weather warms up, which makes it much more difficult for this virus,” Offit said, explaining that when it is hot and humid, the virus, which spreads in small drops, spreads more easily. .
New political administration
Offit said the new Biden administration “is not in this cult of denial” that has surrounded the Trump administration’s coronavirus response and will “take this issue directly.”
A population that creates immunity
The number of people reported to have been infected with coronavirus – 23 million – is an understatement, according to Offit. Many people have had an asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic infection and have never been tested. The numbers that have been infected are probably closer to 65 or 70 million, he said.
“It is about 20% of the population who, when re-exposed to this virus, will not get it,” he said, although it is unclear how long immunity lasts after infection.
If another 55-60% of the population can be vaccinated – something Offit said can be done from a million to a million and a half doses a day – “then I really think we can stop the spread of this virus by June. ”