This archive report was first published on 19 April 2020.
Published on April 19, 2020, experts predicted a cycle of lockdowns and reopenings as the US struggled to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Dr. Peter J. Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, cautioned against 'magical thinking' that a vaccine would soon be available, allowing people to emerge from hiding.
According to epidemiological models, the virus would continue to spread whenever too many hosts emerged, forcing another lockdown and repeating the cycle.
Even with strict restrictions in place, including the closure of non-essential businesses and travel restrictions, surges in cases and deaths were inevitable, the models predicted.
Experts recommended widespread temperature checks, rapid testing, and contact tracing to slow the spread of the virus, as seen in Asia.
The 'Opening Up America Again' guidelines issued by the White House had three levels of social distancing and recommended that vulnerable Americans stay hidden, but did not specify how these measures would be paid for or implemented.
