When can we reasonably expect things to improve?

STRAIT – Due to the new year, Michigan did not release state figures on COVID on Thursday or Friday.

An update is scheduled for Saturday which will contain data for the last few days.

As the vaccine rollout continues, many are excited that 2020 is finally over. While that doesn’t mean the coronavirus is gone by midnight, experts are weighing when it’s realistic to expect things to return to normal.

Current estimates are that it will likely be closer to the end of 2021. While there are vaccines out there, the number of people who get vaccinated and how quickly they will impact that timeline.

Dr Matthew Sims is the Director of Infectious Disease Research at Beaumont Royal Oak. He said mask wear, social distancing and other precautions will remain in place until at least 70% of the population is vaccinated.

“We’re going to need it until we get close to that 70%,” Sims said. “And that’s what will allow us to reach that 70%.”

He’s not the only one to think so. Local 4’s own Dr Frank McGeorge – an emergency room doctor at Henry Ford – said the same thing.

“There is already some evidence that there will be reluctance to vaccinate, especially in minority communities. There are also things we don’t know about vaccines that will play a role – how well will they stop transmission, not just symptomatic illnesses, that’s a big difference, ”McGeorge said. “So how long does the immunity last?” These things will affect how long it takes to achieve broad public immunity. “

The same reflections are also taking place at the national level. Dr Anthony Fauci said masks, social distancing and other precautions will need to remain in place until the majority of people are vaccinated.

The restrictions may ease over the summer, but things are not expected to return to normal until the end of the year.