Possible vaccines offer hope, solution

By Jacob Fisher

The world we live in is one that has been ravaged by a pandemic for over a year now. In the thirteen months since we first heard about the virus in Wuhan, China, we have battled constant lockdowns, quarantines and mitigations. We have battered the storm. Scientists have been working around the clock to come up with vaccines in one of the fastest turnarounds in the history of medicine.

Within the span of one year, scientists have developed not one, not two, but four different vaccines each with their own very promising trials: Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, and Gamaleya. As it currently stands all of these vaccines, except for Oxford-Astra-Zeneca, have trials reporting above 90% immunity according to BBC sources.

These vaccines will be coming soon, as the United States is planning on beginning vaccinations by mid-December. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are expected to pass Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration by Friday, Dec. 4. Healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities will receive the vaccinations first.

“Even after vaccines start to be distributed, there won’t be enough for the wider public to be immunized until April or May of 2021,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s foremost expert on infectious diseases, said during an interview with CNN.

So what does this mean for JJC? The vaccine will not be distributed in time to change the spring semester, but we can be hopeful for the fall.

The biggest concern amongst people is whether or not these vaccines will be mandatory, especially for students. Schools are focused on creating the safest environment for students.

If we have herd immunity (70% of all people are immunized) at JJC, then we could see a drastic removal in restrictions. It wouldn’t be surprising to see in-person classes in the fall of 2021, and I think that’s something we all can hope for.