The coronavirus is expected to remain in circulation for years, according to new research, but is likely to be downgraded to nothing more than a common cold.
With much of the global adult population expected to be vaccinated in the next year or two, the virus will linger mostly in children, who typically suffer mild symptoms and often none at all.
Research published in the journal Science on Tuesday suggests children will then become immune to Covid-19 and carry that into adulthood.
Both factors should lead to the virus being significantly downgraded in years to come.
Once everyone is exposed to either the virus or vaccine, the adult immune system will be trained to fight the virus and will not be overwhelmed by it, as is the case presently
The study by Emory University in the US state of Georgia worked on a model that explored potential changes in viral transmission and disease severity of emerging human coronaviruses.
It looked at how viruses changed through the transition phase towards the stage at which they were endemic – or commonly seen in society – and considered three separate measures for immune efficacy that wane at different rates.
Scientists concluded all similar coronaviruses elicit immunity with familiar characteristics, with Covid-19 most similar to the common cold.
“The timing of how long it takes to get to this sort of endemic state depends on how quickly the disease is spreading, and how quickly vaccination is rolled out,” said Jennie Lavine, a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University, who led the study.
“So really, the name of the game is getting everyone exposed for the first time to the vaccine as quickly as possible.”
In an endemic state, the virus will remain in circulation but can be controlled. Infections will not increase exponentially and the vast majority of people who come into contact with them will have at least some immunity.
An effective inoculation programme could accelerate Covid-19's endemic state within 12 months and researchers predicted that the virus will be of concern only to those under five in the years ahead.
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Abu Dhabi pupils press ahead with exams amid pandemic - in pictures
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Even then symptoms are likely to be mild, or may not even show at all.
Scientists looked at how human beings responded to other coronavirus pathogens such as Sars, Mers and the four other common cold viruses in the past to draw their conclusions.
Dr Kavita Krishnan, who is head of laboratory services at the Premier Diagnostic Centre in Dubai, who was not associated with the study, supported that theory.
“Sars-Cov-2 will eventually become endemic and will be no more of a threat than the common cold, similar to other coronaviruses,” she said.
“The process could be shortened by vaccination-induced immunity, which would limit the number of potential hosts to favour less-virulent versions of the disease.”
Children are constantly exposed to new pathogens as their bodies develop and build immunity.
It is one theory as to why younger people have been better equipped to fend off severe symptoms of Covid-19.
"Once everyone is exposed to either the virus or vaccine, the adult immune system will be trained to fight the virus and will not be overwhelmed by it, as is the case presently," Dr Krishnan said.
“Children are more adept than adults in defence against the virus because they are constantly challenged by pathogens that are new to their bodies.”
Similar research on other coronaviruses, such as the common cold, found a child’s first infection usually occurred before the age of five.
After then, as viruses continue to circulate, children still get infected but do not become ill as their immunity builds.
A similar pattern is expected with Covid-19 in the years ahead.
So far, the UAE has administered almost 1.3 million shots of the Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines since they were approved for use.
On Tuesday, the UAE's leaders appealed to the public to take the shot after cases rose to more than 3,000 for the first time. The country recorded its highest daily cases on Wednesday, with 3,362.
"Once we reach 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the community immunised, either by vaccine or previous Covid infection, the risk of viral transmission will reduce dramatically," said Dr Adel Alsisi, chief medical officer at Prime Hospital, Dubai.
“It is why all government and health authorities are motivating the public to be vaccinated.”
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Read more about the coronavirus
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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