Professor Joaquim Segales (Spain): If we reduce safety measures today, the disease will increase

A new interview on our channel. We talked to Joaquim Segales, Professor of Virology, Head of the Department of Animal Health and Anatomy at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona ). Joaquim Segales is a member of the Spanish virologists council, aimed to create a vaccine and find an antiviral drug to treat COVID-19.

Professor Segales says that the summer heat can not prevent the virus from spreading. He believes that what saves us from the virus is the development of herd immunity.

"High summer temperatures alone will not affect the spread of the disease unless other measures, such as social distancing and wearing masks, are taken," said Professor Joaquim Segales. "On the other hand, if the measures are relaxed, the incidence will increase until herd immunity is developed: either naturally or through vaccination".

Joaquim Segales predicts that the vaccine will be available at best in a year and a half. "Although there are a large number of vaccines that have been developed so far, they need to be tested for safety and immunity," he added.