avatarDr Gautam Kulkarni

Summary

The article discusses the global struggle and differing approaches to managing the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the recovery process.

Abstract

The world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, with a unified goal to overcome the virus but divided on the methods to achieve this. In London, as in many places, there is debate over reopening schools and public transport, reflecting global polarization between enforcing lockdowns and resuming normal activities. The article explores potential strategies moving forward, including waiting for a vaccine, risking infection with the current strain, implementing mass antibody testing, and achieving herd immunity. It acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding vaccine development, the nature of antibody protection, and the possibility of viral mutation. The author, a pediatrician, advocates for a proactive approach to fight the virus, noting the future need for societal rebuilding. The article calls for increased volunteering as a means for individuals to contribute to the recovery effort and create a more equitable society post-pandemic.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that the global community is united in the fight against COVID-19 but divided on the strategies to manage it.
  • There is a dilemma between waiting for a vaccine and risking infection with the current strain of the virus.
  • The author posits that mass antibody testing could be the best option for a phased reopening, with the caveat that it must be specific to SARS-CoV-2 and indicate true protection and non-transmissibility.
  • The article implies that herd immunity may be inevitable, with the hope that infections are mild and provide sufficient immunity.
  • The author believes that after the frontline healthcare workers have battled the virus, it will be up to ordinary people to help rebuild society.
  • There is an emphasis on the need for increased volunteering to support the recovery process and foster a fairer society.

COVID-19 The Endgame

The Endgame is near. And you are part of it!

Photo by Fredrick john on Unsplash

Never before has the world been so united in its desire to crush a common enemy but yet so divided in the modus operandi! In London, where I work as a Pediatrician, we have our dilemmas about schools reopening and tubes packed with commuters! The rest of the world is no different with people polarized in their views of lockdown vs restoring normalcy!

So where do we go from here?

Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels
  • Should we stay indoors until a vaccine comes along for safely developing immunity and then go out? The issues are — when will we realistically have a vaccine, will it provide protective antibodies, and will the virus mutate in the meantime so we need a jab every year?
  • The other option is to take your chances and risk getting infected with the wild strain, knowing that a vast majority will be either asymptomatic or mild cases.
  • The best option probably is mass antibody testing to have a meaningful planned and phased opening. That is still subject to the caveat that antibody testing is specific to SARS CoV2 and that the antibody positives are truly protected and can’t transmit the virus as carriers.
  • In reality however, will most of us have to be infected at some point for the herd to survive? I think ideally all of us would like to get a mild infection and have sufficient immunity to avoid a severe illness then or at a later date!

If wishes were horses ……..

So what is the Endgame?

I have no doubt that we have to take the fight to the virus! I have continued to work as a children’s doctor and my son has started attending school (in the UK, children of key workers can still attend school).

When (ever) all this is over, some of us will be much worse off than others. Financially, physically and emotionally. The effort needed to rebuild society will be mammoth. And each one of us will have to play their part, when we come out of isolation!

After all the superheroes at the frontline have saved the world, ordinary people like you and me need to help pick up the pieces. For a fairer society, we will all need to volunteer more!

Life Lessons
Life
Covid-19
Personal Development
Self Improvement
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarUnbecoming
10 Seconds That Ended My 20 Year Marriage

It’s August in Northern Virginia, hot and humid. I still haven’t showered from my morning trail run. I’m wearing my stay-at-home mom…

4 min read
avatarDevon Price
Laziness Does Not Exist

Psychological research is clear: when people procrastinate, there's usually a good reason

11 min read
avatarPomeroySays
OnlyFans Girls Are Breaking Up Marriages Everyday

My friend, I’ll call her Missy*, 45 years old, implicitly trusted her 55-year-old husband, Bart*. He was very kind and trustworthy. She…

7 min read
avatarRebecca✨
I Started Waking up at 4:30 a.m. Daily— This Is What Happened

For 21 days, I wake up at 4:30. The results were CRAZY.

4 min read
avatarKris Gage
How to *really* know you’re in love

Because most of “the signs” they tell you are garbage

4 min read
avatarTessa Schlesinger Global Atheist Am Yisrael Chai.
How Do You Recognize Someone Truly Intelligent?

There is only one characteristic that separates them from others.

8 min read