Former FDA Head Predicts the US Will Avoid a Fourth Wave of COVID-19
As the coronavirus vaccine roll out accelerates, some health experts are warning states against lifting restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the virus for fears that doing so too soon could lead to another wave…
As the coronavirus vaccine roll out accelerates, some health experts are warning states against lifting restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the virus for fears that doing so too soon could lead to another wave of new infections.
However, on Sunday, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told CBS News’ Margaret Brennan, “Well, I don’t think we’re going to have a fourth wave.”
“I think what we’re seeing around the country is parts of the country that are plateauing, and we’re seeing upticks in certain parts of the country,” he continued.
“Even if you account for the fact that maybe about 30 percent of the people being vaccinated previously had Covid, we’re talking about some form of protective immunity in about 55 percent of the population. So there’s enough of a backstop here that I don’t think you’re going to see a fourth surge.”
He said the U.S. may see a “plateauing” of new cases because of the variants of the virus and what he argued was the decision of some states to lift mitigation measures too soon.
“But I still don’t think that it’s going to be enough to create a true fourth wave,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Gottlieb’s comments come as the number of new cases of the virus has