This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
Published on May 14, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has cautioned that the novel coronavirus may be with us for a long time, much like HIV.
According to Dr. Ryan, a WHO epidemiologist, the virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and it may never go away.
He drew a parallel with HIV, saying, "HIV has not gone away – but we have come to terms with the virus."
Dr. Ryan also expressed doubts about predicting when the disease will disappear, stating, "I don't think anyone can predict when this disease will disappear."
The WHO has been releasing guidelines on how to resume operations as lockdown measures are eased across different countries.
These guidelines include public health and social measures in schools and the workplace.
As countries begin to re-open workplaces to maintain economic activity, the WHO advises that protective measures, including physical distancing, handwashing, respiratory etiquette, and thermal monitoring, must be established.
There are currently over 100 potential vaccines in development, but Dr. Ryan noted that other illnesses, such as measles, still haven't been eliminated despite the availability of vaccines.
