Taiwan expert says COVID-19 ‘code red’ may last two years

It’s the age of the coronavirus, meaning travel bans, canceled concerts, and temperature checks at metro stations. A Taiwan expert says the world will have to stay on high alert for two years, which is how long it could take to make a vaccine. Until then, he says, the epidemic will only worsen. COVID-19 has now been reported on every continent except Antarctica. On Monday, Italy placed its entire national territory under lockdown, as its number of confirmed cases surpassed 9,000.In Italy, the COVID-19 epidemic is worsening. Last Sunday, the Italian government imposed a lockdown on 26 provinces, including all of the provinces in the Lombardy region. On Monday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the lockdown would be extended to the entire country.Giuseppe ConteItalian prime ministerIt’s because of this that I will sign a decree that we can summarize with the expression “let’s stay home.” There will no longer be a red zone, and there will no longer be a Zone 1 and a Zone 2 on the peninsula. It will be all of Italy. All of Italy will be a protected zone.Italy’s 60 million inhabitants will not be allowed out of their homes except for valid work reasons or to seek medical assistance. Cinemas, gyms, bars, schools and all places where people gather are to be closed down. The Serie A professional football league has also been suspended for the first time since World War II.All of Italy will remain closed until April 3. Speaking at a U.K. news show, a health expert said that half of the world could be at risk of contracting the disease.Richard HatchettCoalition for Epidemic Preparedness InnovationsThe virus in terms of attack rates globally, it could be between 50% and 70% of the global population. You might have an attack rate that’s three times higher than seasonal flu with a mortality that’s 10 times higher.In Taiwan, the virus is still considered under control, but challenges could be up ahead. China says its epidemic is contained and that it will end the lockdowns on its cities over March and April. When that happens, more Taiwanese businesspeople are expected to return to Taiwan. Meanwhile, the epidemic is quickly worsening in Europe and the U.S. Experts say Taiwan will have to closely monitor travelers from these areas, as well as Taiwanese businesspeople returning from China.Huang Li-minInfectious Diseases Society of TaiwanFrom now on, any traveler coming from abroad, including our own compatriots, will pose a challenge to epidemic prevention. The bigger issue will be people returning after working or dealing in China, because there are still more infections in China than elsewhere in the world.The health expert said Taiwan will need to be on high alert throughout the foreseeable future.Huang Li-minInfectious Diseases Society of TaiwanFor this epidemic to be definitively put to an end, what is needed is widespread, effective, and safe vaccination. There has to be enough vaccines for the whole world. Under the best circumstances, it will be one or two years until a safe and effective vaccine hits the market.Since its outbreak in December 2019, COVID-19 has shown no signs of slowing. Experts say the world needs to prepare to fight the virus over the long haul.