I’m amazed how this idea seems to endure, even in the face of dozens of countries showing reductions of 90%+ (Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Australia, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, South Korea, France, etc) or even complete elimination (China, NZ).

Just because the US and UK can’t get their act together doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

It's not over until those countries' policies are back to how they were prior to the outbreak (borders open, travel allowed, no lockdowns). Until then, it's just hoping for the best for when they do.

Unfortunately this requires either indefinite lockdowns or indefinite suspension of international travel. What’s the point of eliminating 90% of infections if that remaining 10% is going to develop into a new outbreak?

China is still finding new cases so it isn’t eliminated. New Zealand can keep the virus out because it’s an island (but they better be prepared to live without tourism).

It’s all just not very sustainable.

If you have efficient testing, contact tracing and quarantine measures in place, you may be able to quell any resurfacing outbreaks.