New Delhi, Dec. 31 -- As 2020 draws to a close amid news of a second wave of covid-19 cases and the emergence of a mutant strain of the novel coronavirus in many parts of the world, there is hope yet that 2021 will be a better year for humanity.

Some silver linings are already visible. With vaccines becoming available, there is hope that our lives can return to a semblance of normalcy in 2021. Beyond vaccines, we could see the discovery of potential treatments for covid-19 complications, faster and more accurate diagnostic tests for the virus, streamlined regulatory responses to health emergencies, as well as greater collaboration among scientists globally.

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