We talked to Dr. Noreen Sheehy, a professor of molecular virology from University College Dublin. Dr. Sheehy will participate in the International Conference COVID 2020 on September, 30.
Dr. Noreen Sheehy says that in the absence of the vaccine, quarantine, isolation, physical distance and the use of personal protective equipment are the only ways to keep you safe from coronavirus.
COVID-19 is a serious infection because it is new and traditional ways of dealing with infectious diseases are not suitable for controlling its spread.
«There is no preexisting immunity, that results in more severe symptoms and disease. Normal flu can be controlled. COVID-19 can be spread very easily, at the moment there is no real way of controlling it, but a lot of measures are being taken to develop the treatment», says Dr. Sheehy.
According to the professor, the virus revealed that the world was not ready for a pandemic. She acknowledged the effectiveness of measures that were taken in China. «However, if another one happens, we will already have the necessary information», she says.
The second wave of the virus is likely to occur, Dr. Sheehy adds, as only a small percentage of the population has immunity. As for the immunity of those who have been ill, the professor explains why she has no clear opinion on this issue.
Noreen Sheehy also explains how the long-awaited vaccine will work. She expects it to be available in 6-12 months.
