Social distancing to last into 2022?

75756A5E-120A-4932-810C-2FD980DB785E

A Harvard University study says absent an effective vaccine for the novel coronavirus, the U.S. may have to endure some form of social distancing into the year 2022.

The study, published in the journal Science, is based off of what scientists have learned so far about the novel coronavirus that causes SARS-CoV-2, the official name of COVID-19, and other coronaviruses.

"We projected that recurrent wintertime outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 will probably occur after the initial, most severe pandemic wave. Absent other interventions, a key metric for the success of social distancing is whether critical care capacities are exceeded," the study's authors wrote.

"To avoid this, prolonged or intermittent social distancing may be necessary into 2022," it said.