Vaccine hopes and economic woes as virus spreads
by Michael Mathes, with Jastinder Khera in Vienna and AFP bureaus
President Donald Trump voiced hope Friday that a coronavirus vaccine will be available by late 2020, cushioning dire US economic news as parts of Europe re-open despite fears of a second wave of the pandemic.
Several nations have eased restrictions to stem the economic damage from lockdowns, as much of the world learns to live as best it can under the shadow of the disease that has killed more than 304,000 people globally and infected 4.5 million.
While Europe unlocks after reducing the number of new infections, cases continue to soar in other parts of the world as the economic and political fallout grows.
The hunt for a vaccine for a disease that the World Health Organization (WHO) says may never disappear has also threatened to become a source of tension between the globe’s haves and have-nots, with trials underway in various countries.
“We are looking to get it by the end of the year if we can, maybe before,” Trump told reporters at the White House as he discussed America’s “Operation Warp Speed” effort in the global race for a vaccine.
The timeline — deemed unrealistic by many experts — is more aggressive than the one-year scenario put forward by European scientists.
Many countries are not waiting, with borders and beaches were reopening around Europe after two traumatic months in which life ground to a halt.
Germany, which this month began its slow emergence from confinement, was ready to relaunch its football championship Saturday, although in front of empty stadiums and under draconian health measures.
Russia pushed ahead with plans to ease restrictions despite reporting more than 10,000 new cases, with its football league set to return next month and thousands of people being tested for antibodies to show whether they have had the virus or not. (AFP)
