Mon 27 April 2020:
While cases and deaths plateau, the world remains in wait-and-see mode as scientists race to develop treatments and, eventually, a vaccine for the virus.
Some governments are studying measures such as “immunity passports” as one way to get people back to work — but the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that people who survive COVID-19 cannot be certain they will not be hit again.
Deborah Birx, the doctor who coordinates the US coronavirus response, said the WHO was being “very cautious”.
Several countries, including France and Germany, plan to introduce virus tracing apps to alert users if they are near someone who has tested positive.
The technology has already rolled out in Australia, sparking privacy concerns, and has been widely used in Singapore.
In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo said a first stage of a reopening would start on May 15 if hospitalisations decrease.
But for some conservative-led states, that timeframe is too long.
Rejecting the advice of top disease experts, the US state of Georgia has allowed thousands of businesses to resume operations, and Oklahoma will let restaurants and cinemas reopen from May 1.
“People are still going to get it. But Oklahomans are safe and we’re ready for a measured reopening,” Governor Kevin Stitt told Fox News.
Some governments are studying measures such as “immunity passports” as one way to get people back to work — but the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that people who survive COVID-19 cannot be certain they will not be hit again.
Deborah Birx, the doctor who coordinates the US coronavirus response, said the WHO was being “very cautious”.
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