Covid-19's three potential futures: small outbreaks, monster wave, or ongoing crisis 

(HYACINTH EMPINADO/STAT)

What will Covid-19 bring for the U.S. this summer and beyond? While there are points of contention among public health experts, three likely scenarios have emerged: one where the current large wave of infection is followed by smaller waves of infection every few months; another where there is a second, bigger wave than the current one later this year; and, finally, a scenario where the outbreak now lasts in its current magnitude through 2022. Despite these different visions, many experts seem to agree that the world we knew before Covid-19 is unlikely to return anytime soon. STAT's Sharon Begley has more here.

Here's what else is new with Covid-19: 

• The FDA on Friday announced that it would be authorizing emergency use of Gilead's drug remdesivir, based on positive results in a government-sponsored trial. And watch a video here from STAT's Alex Hogan on how remdesivir works against Covid-19. 
• Seven states in the Northeast, including New York and Massachusetts, are part of a new consortium that will work together to purchase $5 billion worth of necessary medical equipment, including PPE for health workers and ventilators.  
• In addition to the thousands of medical staff on the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19 are crisis center counselors, who are fielding an increased number of calls from individuals struggling with their mental health during the pandemic. STAT contributor Gabrielle Glaser has more on one group of counselors in the St. Louis area here.
• The writers behind a new STAT First Opinion argue that before the U.S. can reasonably deal with the shortage of ventilators, it will need a system in place — including a database of available ones — to ensure proper and equitable distribution of these lifesaving machines.