Politico | Europe fears coronavirus second wave
- Planning for a another wave is hampered by how little we still know about the coronavirus, experts say
- Scientists still don't know for sure whether those infected develop some sort of immunity and, if so, how long that lasts
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Carmen Paun on politico.com on May 12, 2020.
Europeans fed up with lockdowns and dreaming of a beach holiday hold the key to how big the next wave of coronavirus infections will be.
For experts, the question isn't whether this wave will come, but how citizens and governments can be better prepared than the first time around.
With the virus dispersed all over Europe, “it would be naive to think that would be gone and over with,” said Erika Vlieghe, who leads the infectious diseases department at the Antwerp University hospital and serves as the top “deconfinement” adviser to the Belgian government.
She pointed to the recent resurgence in several Asian countries as a cautionary example.
She and other experts argue that easing lockdowns and restarting international travel could be the triggers for the next wave. Governments deciding testing strategies might also overlook marginalised people, often living in cramped or unsanitary conditions – which could also be a trigger.
Meanwhile, planning for a post-pandemic world continues to be hampered by a long list of unanswered questions.