Why the covid pill may be the key to going back to normal

Published in El Pais, 22 December 2021.

It seems like ages ago now, but do you remember what it was like when we had our first lockdown? Hiding in our homes, having a designated shopper go out in homemade hazmat gear and sanitizing groceries when you got back? Things are certainly different now with our increasing knowledge of the virus and vaccinations that allows us to go back to a resemblance of normal as we go to bars, restaurants, and travel (albeit with precautions). The news of omicron though has brought more fear and countries are going back to lockdown to stop the spread. Vaccines did not end the pandemic like we hoped which is why when Pfizer announced it is working on a new pill that will drastically reduce symptoms of the illness makes me believe it is time to change tactics from prevention to healing.

The original plan to end the pandemic was simple enough. Social distance, wash your hands and remain isolated when sick. Eventually with the introduction of vaccines you would have those that were naturally immune and those that were scientifically immune, creating an unattractive environment for Covid to spread and it would slowly die off. Unfortunately, we now know it does not work like that. Reinfections can happen, vaccinating provides some protection but only for a period and mutations cause new waves of infections.

 Of course, we should continue to get vaccinated with boosters and take precautions to avoid the spread but realistically this cannot be done long term. Getting vaccinated every few months is very costly that many countries cannot afford, and it will only be a matter of time where people are tired of this and eventually stop getting their booster shot. Getting Covid can also have major financial issues even for those with light to no symptoms. You can be stuck in a foreign land for two weeks or be unable to go to work simply because you tested positive.

This pill can change that. Studies show that it drastically reduces symptoms of Covid and will likely decrease the number of hospitalizations. This would change the fear associated with the virus and ensure that getting sick is no big deal. Everyone would have the pill in their medicine cabinet like ibuprofen for you to take when sick. You should still take some precautions like mask wearing and staying away from the vulnerable, but your life would not come to a complete halt.

Of course, all this is contingent on the pill being approved and becoming readily available and we should still be careful for now, but with this pill we might be able to finally go back to normal even if COVID is here to stay for good.