As Alexey Agranovsky, a Russian virologist and professor of Moscow State University, says it is impossible to get prepared for the beginning of the second wave of the coronavirus infection. However, according to him, it is possible to remove stringent restrictions, such as pass control procedures or fines for using personal transport without digital passes or bans on walking in parks.
In recent days, there have been more and more discussions about positive dynamics regarding the novel coronavirus. The daily number of new cases has long ceased growing. Moreover, there is a slight decline in the incidence. Not so long ago a statistical spike was recorded for the first time, when the new number of registered COVID-19 cases per day was lower than the number of people who recovered from the virus in the same period.
Against the background of this news, experts and political scientists are increasingly talking about the gradual lifting of the quarantine, rather than about the spread of the coronavirus infection. Meanwhile, according to Agranovsky, after the situation around the virus has improved, a second wave of the disease should be expected. He believes that this wave is likely to occur primarily in the countries that have already experienced the first wave. Arganovsky recalled that experts from the World Health Organization are also expecting the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to his predictions, it might begin no later than the next autumn/winter season.
“I believe WHO has much more information than I do,” said Agranovsky. “In my opinion, it is likely to happen already in autumn or winter.”
According to him, the Japanese authorities hold a similar opinion. They have already announced that the second wave of the coronavirus infection is inevitable. Agranovsky believes that the second wave might be much softer and weaker than the first one. “A sharp spike in cases and a high level of mortality are unlikely, because many people have already developed antibodies and are immune to the virus,” he said. “We have not found out yet how long the immunity works and how strong it is. However, we are studying this issue, including tests for antibodies.”
Agranovsky stresses the impossibility of being ready for the beginning of the second wave of coronavirus. However, according to him, it is possible to remove rigid restrictions, such as pass control procedures or fines for using personal transport without digital passes or bans on walking in parks. In addition, he made a remark that wearing face masks in the open air is an unnecessary measure.