I agree that the solution would appear to be innoculation. Without that, there is a strong possibility that the virus will re-emerge, maybe even as a different strain with potentially greater consequences. I think long term we need a global approach to eredicate it, similar to what was achieved with smallpox - otherwise the only way to contain it is to manage the outbreaks, as we are doing now. We are saving lives (and there is no disputing that this is a good thing) through isolation and quarantine but at great ecomomic cost. Not sure we can financially afford another outbreak.
We will come through this outbreak. The problem then will be what sort of state will the economy be in. Not just ours, but the economies of present and future trading partners. It is great that many govenments have stepped in and have committed to assisting companies to retain staff, but what happens if the situation is prolonged - 3 months, then another 3 months, and another. Government funding is not unlimited and government revenue is currently greatly reduced. Somewhere a line will need to be drawn. Companies that are here today may yet disappear. How many notches down the economic ladder will this outbreak take us? What about the next outbreak? You could go on - mass unemployment, worthless pensions, mortgages that cant be paid - there will be 'non-medical' victims of this virus.
But thats just money. The greatest losses will be personal. Loved ones gone. Human life is irreplacable. We can rebuild economies but lives can never be brought back. There will be emotional and mental scars, all round but especially those on the front line. Now, there's a term - front line. It conjures up images of a war with a battle front. In this war, the health care staff - of all nations - are doing a brilliant job. I, we say: 'We salute you. Thank you'. Those words are not even close to what we owe them. A debt that cannot be repaid. They are seeing and dealing with what most of us will never come close to seeing. They will bear that emotional and mental scars for life. PTSD. Just like combatants in a 'traditional' war. Maybe worse, given the scale and nature of the beast. There is an article on the Beeb website about a day in the life of a paramedic in NY. 9/11 does not even compare. Look it up if you wish. Its a horrifying situation.
I dont think it is healthy to peer into the abyss for too long. I think 'dont worry about what you cant control' applies. Its not about taking an ostrich approach but more of focusing on what you can achieve with what you can control, more of focusing on getting to the end of the week, month, year - the small victories that add up to something greater.
There is a future, we will get through this, we will rebuild. It's in our nature, to overcome, to build, to advance. It will be uphill all the way, but get through it we will. As said above, the question is 'How?' I dont think anyone knows at this point.
Stay safe.
