I think we’ve reached a point where a vaccine can be developed relatively quickly (in days); but months long clinical trials will continue to throw monkey wrenches into things once the virus “outsmarts” the vaccine. The lengthy clinical trials are necessary so I am not sure what can be done here. Construct better vaccines that are more insulated against variants?

but that would make conservatives sad.

There have been at least four countries across four continents which have identified major variants of concern during the past 18 months. It’s likely at least 1 or 2 more will surface before we can vaccinate enough of the world to slow it down. Unless I am woefully uninformed, it seems like resistance to wearing masks is largely an American phenomenon due to 45 and right wing media.

don't use weakened or 'inactivated' viruses but instead use mRNA. that makes it a LOT harder for viruses to evade the vaccine.