[Aloha1]

Originally Posted by John41

I agree masks and lockdowns only delay the virus as we now know, at least at the mask participation levels of the general population. But, that was the only tool available (plus hand washing and social distancing) to slow the rate of infection. Even a small reduction in that rate can have an enormous impact on total number of Covid 19 cases.

Now that vaccines are available thanks to Operation Warp Speed they might produce herd immunity and eventual elimination of the virus. Hopefully, the virus will not mutate to something more deadly like ebola and revisit us. First priority of the new administration needs to be stepped up research which I think is the plan. What disturbs me the most is the politics inserted into this pandemic

We were complacent and nature gave us a rude awakening.

I agree especially with concern that the presumptive replacement at the top may slow down such research and end up reinstating too much bureaucracy and slowing progress down.