I am now reading that we may never have a vaccine, and if we get one, it may not be very effective, and may not confer long-term immunity. WTH - I thought we were good at this stuff by now.

Part of the rationale behind restricting large gatherings was the assumption that we could wait this out while an effective vaccine and/or therapy would be developed. What if we can't wait this out, and it is inevitable that we'll all come into contact with this bug as it lingers among the populace?

Other from avoiding hospitalization surges, there may not be much to gain by restricting gatherings for everybody. Those in the high risk groups - likely 60 and older and with comorbidities such as obesity - will have to follow their own protocols while the rest live a somewhat normal life.