Despite partisan grandstanding from politicians on all sides, scientists view the Coronavirus with surprising unanimity. No, Covid-19 isn’t a hoax; it’s a serious menace that’s already impacted tens of millions around the world and will likely disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States.

At the same time, it hardly represents a cataclysmic threat to civilization: within six months—in the time for the American election—the health and economic threats will have begun to recede. Prominent leaders will of course claim credit for a “miraculous” rescue, but they won’t deserve it—no more than they deserve blame for the current waves of fear and financial panic.

If nothing else, this virus should force elected representatives into more cooperation across party lines, along with recognition that politicos can’t control contagious diseases. They can’t magically protect your health, but they CAN work together to improve the health of the body politic.