“Until we see convincing evidence that a vaccine has a large population-level effect, we will still need to mask and distance and restrain ourselves. Too many of us won’t. Too many will believe that the vaccine has saved them, and they will throw themselves back into more normal activities. That could lead to big outbreaks, just as winter hits at its hardest.” America has made a lot of mistakes when it comes to dealing with the virus. And, as hard as it is to accept, we probably have a long road ahead, even if a vaccine is approved sooner rather than later. Aaron E. Carroll in the NYT: Stop Expecting Life to Go Back to Normal Next Year. I don’t even remember “normal” at this point. I’d settle for a return to facts and a spirited, communal effort to make things better. Uncle Sam Wants You To Join the Norm Corps.

+ For a counterpoint, we turn to President Trump who explained during a pretty epic town hall that it will just disappear, even without a vaccine. “You’ll develop a herd mentality. It’s going to be herd development and that’s going to happen. That will all happen. But with a vaccine, I think it will go away very quickly.” (You herd it hear first.)

+ WaPo: Maine wedding ‘superspreader’ event is now linked to seven deaths. None of those people attended.