2020 was a year for the history books, with the world having to make adjustments as COVID-19 gripped almost every area of our lives. 2020 was a year that saw it’s deadliest global pandemic since the Spanish Influenza of 1918. However, as we embark on the dawn of a bright new year with hope and possibilities, two vaccines being rolled out in America and several more in late-stage clinical trials- 2021 is looking a bit brighter.
This doesn’t mean we don’t have questions- and a lot of them. How is the world going to look in the future? What are our biggest hurdles to come? Is humanity as we know it changed forever? When will I be able to hug grandma again?
As a trusted health and fitness resource committed to providing unbiased and science-backed facts to our readers, we decided to ask the experts and brilliant minds who have devoted their lives to research in virology and epidemiology some of these burning questions.
In this television interview with @PoppyHarlowCNN and @jimsciutto I discuss the winter surge of cases, the occurrence of a major political rally in my hometown, and the importance of common sense anti-#COVID19 measures https://t.co/U8s2KQe8No
— Amesh Adalja (@AmeshAA) November 2, 2020
Dr. Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. His work is focused on emerging infectious disease, pandemic preparedness, and biosecurity. Dr. Adalja has served on US government panels tasked with developing guidelines for the treatment of plague, botulism, and anthrax in mass casualty settings and for the system of care for infectious disease emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Adalja served on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coronavirus advisory group and as a consultant to various businesses, schools, and organizations as well as an informal advisor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
HFR founder Samir Becic asked the highly accomplished Dr. Adalja some important questions in this exclusive interview:
Samir Becic: In your professional opinion, what should we expect differently in 2021 with regards to COVID-19? When do you think we can expect to go back to normalcy?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: The first few months of 2021 or not really going to be much different in terms of the pandemic. It will take some time before enough vaccine has been distributed to see a major impact on cases and public health guidance. Testing will also improve throughout 2021 especially since home tests are now available. I think normalcy will likely occur later in 2021 possibly in the summer as we get closer to the herd immunity threshold at hospitals no longer are worried about capacity. However, many of the habits people developed during the pandemic will stick and it will be a new normal with more telecommuting, less frequent travel, and more face coverings.
Samir Becic: Do you have a vaccine preference and why?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: I do not have a vaccine preference.
Today I joined the ranks of the #COVID19 vaccinated. Small movement of liquid into my arm but a major leap in the fight against infectious disease. pic.twitter.com/JiUyprNQuA
— Amesh Adalja (@AmeshAA) December 18, 2020
Samir Becic: Besides the obvious of social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands, what are 3 other tips you would give to people?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: Avoid crowded and congregated places, answer the phone when the health department calls, partake in outdoor activities (vs indoor) as much as possible.
Samir Becic: The seasonal flu affects children as much, if not more than adults, whereas COVID-19 has very little effect on kids. Why is that?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: It is still not completely clear why children tend to be spared the most severe effects of COVID-19. There are many hypotheses that are being tested regarding cross-immunity from other coronaviruses and immune system differences. Also, children are less likely to have comorbidities that make severe disease more likely.
Samir Becic: In a couple of short sentences, how does a virus mutate? How concerned should we be about COVID-19 variants?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: All viruses mutate. Mutations occur when there are errors made in the copying of the genetic material. Most mutations have no impact. There are some COVID-19 variants, however, that have demonstrated the likelihood that they are able to transmit more efficiently. This doesn’t change anything that we have to do but underscores the need to follow the common-sense precautions everyone should be implementing.
Samir Becic: Do you think masks are here to stay?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: I think that after the pandemic is over, even after mask guidance has changed, many people will continue to wear masks when they are in crowded and congregated places because of the evidence of their efficacy.
Happy to add this to the collection pic.twitter.com/hwFXiazTZ3
— Amesh Adalja (@AmeshAA) December 18, 2020
Samir Becic: A popular conspiracy theory is that this virus was created in a lab. What is the most insane conspiracy theory you’ve heard?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: The most insane conspiracy theory I have heard regarding this virus is that somehow 5G towers are involved in its spread.
Samir Becic: What is the absolute worst-case scenario with regards to COVID-19?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: The worst-case scenario with COVID19 is the one we are currently in. A pandemic virus with very low overall fatality crippled the country, killed hundreds of thousands, and put hospitals into crisis because of evasion, inaction, and lack of competent government leadership.
Samir Becic: The Spanish Influenza pandemic was in 1918, approximately 100 years before COVID-19- do you think the frequency of global pandemics will increase?
Dr. Amesh Adalja: I do think that pandemics are going to be something that become more common as the world has shrunk, travel times I have diminished, and megacities where pathogens can spread more freely are increasing in prevalence.
