There are those that profess the opinion to not “hold out hope for an effective vaccine any time soon”. There are also those that claim that manufacturing a safe and effective vaccine takes “10+ years or more”. There are many other ways to diminish the impact of an effective vaccine.
We now have, at least two, effective mRNA vaccines, where, previously, we never had a single one for anything. As noted, British approval has already been granted and US (EU) approval is likely on the way in a matter of weeks. We have, likely, at least three more vaccines (using more conventional processes, e.g., viral vector) that will surface in the next few months.
In addition, we have, at least two, effective monoclonal antibody treatments (Lilly, Bamlanivimab, US EU approval; Regeneron, Casirivimab+ Imdevimab, US EU approval). The MCAs are effective, non-vaccine, treatments for before CoVid-19 sends you to the hospital.
What we are seeing, in my opinion, is the greatest accomplishment by worldwide medical science in my lifetime, and in an astoundingly short period of time. It has been our best hope to defeat the pandemic and our hope is being realized – nobody rationally believes it is solved overnight. It is not a question of a glass half empty or half full, it is that we have another glass and that makes me happier than a nerd with a new chip!