[adamjcook]

> maybe the biggest reason we're doing all this is to flatten the curb so hospitals don't get overwhelmed.

I think the other, possibly just as important, reason to lower the infection count is that medical professionals are yet unsure of the long-term, chronic health impacts of this disease and that there appear to be some preliminary signs of significant respiratory and pulmonary issues that can effect many age groups - perhaps even in those not necessarily requiring hospitalization.

It would appear that medical science has a few additional treatments in their toolbox now (as compared to, say, March or April) that lower the severity of the disease and helps prevent death in some populations, but still, many concerning unknowns remain.

At least that is what I have seen here and there from several medical professionals that I have seen on Twitter over the past few weeks...

[erik_seaberg]

They say any vaccine would take at least a year, and I don't think we have the fear and determination to protect the majority from this for so long.

[zwily]

If everything goes perfectly, there are a couple vaccines that could start being given out in Q4 this year. Experts are being realistic and conservative though and not playing those timelines up.