05/18/2020
World Health Organization Says Coronavirus 'May Never Go Away'
The World Health Organization's emergencies chief warned the coronavirus may be here to stay. "This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away," Dr. Michael Ryan said. He said there is a chance the virus could be eradicated if a "highly effective" vaccine is found and made available globally to anyone who needs it. But, Ryan added that illnesses like the measles have yet to be eliminated despite "perfectly effective vaccines."
■Class discussion: Do you think the coronavirus can ever be eliminated? Why or why not? How long do you think it will take to find an effective vaccine for the COVID-19 virus? Months? Years? Never? Without a vaccine, can we go “back to normal” and do everything we did before the pandemic? Would we have to change our behavior? Can we? Will vulnerable people with other diseases have to stay in quarantine? Could you ever visit your grandparents or other elderly people without endangering their lives?