In communist China, where everything is under direct governmental control, it has taken several months for the rate of new infections to level off. The curve of infections there will start to drop from now on. So in practice, this means that in a totalitarian regime, where near total lockdown was enforced, we are talking about five months at the least.
In democratic countries, it is much harder to enforce total lockdowns. It can be done, but emergency legislation is needed first. So in general, we should expect the virus to last until the autumn at least.
Here in France, all shops and restaurants have been forced to close (wisely, IMHO) as of last weekend. Only food stores and other essential shops are allowed to stay open.
The UK, sadly, has been slow and weak in its response so far. The prospects for the USA do not look good, either - partly because Trump refused to use the WHO tests and insisted on an American alternative being developed. This slowed identification and isolation of those infected.
Animals will suffer indirectly, too, as Tobi has rightly pointed out.
In democratic countries, it is much harder to enforce total lockdowns. It can be done, but emergency legislation is needed first. So in general, we should expect the virus to last until the autumn at least.
Here in France, all shops and restaurants have been forced to close (wisely, IMHO) as of last weekend. Only food stores and other essential shops are allowed to stay open.
The UK, sadly, has been slow and weak in its response so far. The prospects for the USA do not look good, either - partly because Trump refused to use the WHO tests and insisted on an American alternative being developed. This slowed identification and isolation of those infected.
Animals will suffer indirectly, too, as Tobi has rightly pointed out.
