Leaked Pentagon Memo Warns Of COVID Resurgence: Pandemic May Be “Globally Persistent” Through 2021

The military site Task & Purpose reports:

The Defense Department should prepare to operate in a “globally-persistent” novel coronavirus (COVID-19) environment without an effective vaccine until “at least the summer of 2021,” according to a draft Pentagon memo obtained by Task & Purpose.

“We have a long path ahead, with the real possibility of a resurgence of COVID-19,” reads the memo, authored for Secretary of Defense Mark Esper but not yet bearing his signature.

“Therefore, we must now re-focus our attention on resuming critical missions, increasing levels of activity, and making necessary preparations should a significant resurgence of COVID-19 occur later this year.”

“All indications suggest we will be operating in a globally-persistent COVID-19 environment in the months ahead."

My latest: A leaked Pentagon memo warns of 'real possibility' of COVID-19 resurgence, vaccine not coming until summer 2021https://t.co/RIlzouzLNb

— Haley Britzky (@halbritz) May 19, 2020

NEW: A Pentagon memo obtained by @TaskandPurpose states that the military should plan on operating without a COVID-19 vaccine until "at least the summer of 2021"

This contradicts the "by the end of this year" timeline laid out by SecDef Esper on Friday https://t.co/9sxmx63h7x

— Jared Keller (@jaredbkeller) May 19, 2020