While social distancing & self-isolation can delay the spread of COVID-19, developing a vaccine and laying out the strategy to deliver it to every citizen in the world is crucial to stop the pandemic, a logistics expert says.
Pawanexh Kohli, Honorary Professor of Post Harvest Logistics at the University of Birmingham in the UK, said the pandemic has left everyone 'flattening the curve' by self-isolating to buy time for healthcare networks to cope with expected inflow of patients.
"We appear to have no other recourse against this invisible enemy, but to consciously isolate from unnecessary proximity until a vaccine is developed," Kohli said in a statement.
He believes a COVID-19 vaccine could be delivered either this year, if testing is fast-tracked, or next year.
Depending on how the disease spreads in the coming months, Kohli said, a conscious decision might be taken to waive some standard trials and safety procedures, adding that it will be a "tough risk assessment call."