According to The New York Times, the once seemingly unrealistic goal of reaching 3 million daily vaccinations for Covid-19 has now been achieved. Data reveals that within the past 5 days alone, more than 5 percent of Americans obtained a vaccine shot! Per 100 people, 50 Americans are being vaccinated.

Although masks and social distancing have become the new norm, when can Americans expect to be back where they were before this virus hit? I did some research and here’s what I learned:

First, the death rate for Covid has been declining. Most of the 65+ Americans (who are most vulnerable and at-risk to die) have been vaccinated! With these vaccines rolling out, there is a smaller number of hospitalized patients and fewer fatalities. ABC News wrote, “Experts say fall could become the season of a ‘new normal’ in which the world slowly reopens and people will reconnect but with masks, routine testing and possibly even vaccine cards to allow them [to] enter movie theaters or restaurants… Infectious disease experts agree at least 70-85% of the country needs to become immune to starve the virus.” Although the vaccines have prevented thousands of deaths, the U.S. is still averaging about 64,000 new cases per day. Research shows that if we keep this rate of vaccines continuing, the U.S. could go into June with as many vaccine doses for 300 million citizens (available for ages 16+) and we could have a better summer! 

However, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says, “I know the idea of relaxing mask-wearing and getting back to everyday activities is appealing. But we’re not there yet.”  The prevention measures being rolled up at a fast pace will only create a surge in cases in the future, so we have to take things slow. Making sure 90% of Americans are vaccinated and healthy should be the main goal for now. 

So a normal summer is definitely possible and by the fall, life will most likely return to how it had been before the virus: schools reopening full time, restaurants opening with very few limitations, and fewer public restrictions. Until then, getting vaccinated and continuing to wear masks are the most important things in ending this pandemic!