The 3 strains thing has been debunked by epidemiologists. It was poor reporting here. The strains are not meaningfully different at all. This type of virus mutates very slowly, and nothing is out there currently to counter that. What we're seeing with regard to 'strains' is entirely expected.
From what I've seen, most epidemiologists are sceptical of the reinfection stories, with reactivation or faulty testing (either first or second time round) the most likely reasons - of course, not just faulty testing, but the margin of error in even very good testing.
I'm not saying your worries are without foundation - I share many of them, as you know. But if I focus purely on reading expert opinions right now, they are not at all downbeat on the chances of finding a working vaccine, and one which, given the nature of RNA viruses, will work even as the virus (slowly) mutates. I could worry (I usually do) about a vaccine not working or being as effective as we need, but I see no basis at the moment for thinking that is in any way likely.
I absolutely do think that varying levels of restriction are now here for the long term, and the shift in how we are as a social species will be changed by this for a very long time indeed.
Originally Posted by: NickR