News this week that a Pfizer trial vaccine for COVID-19 appears more than 90 percent effective and could well be ready for wide distribution next year has created a surge of hope. And that's what we need, amidst the alarming nationwide surge of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The evident success of the vaccine in trials involving some 43,000 people each receiving two doses makes us want to sing and dance, at nine months and counting. But keep that singing inside the shower and do that dancing solo because even joy spreads the vile COVID-19 virus. Turn that hope into the energy to stave off so-called COVID fatigue and stick with masks, social distancing and handwashing — because beating this pandemic means staying alive to get the shots. About 240,000 have died in the United States, and 1 million new cases — 1 million — were reported in 10 days.

Besides hope, the likelihood that Pfizer's vaccine will be available in 1.3 billion doses in 2021 stirs a bit of local pride, given that the pharmaceutical giant has a long presence in southeastern Connecticut, and that 200 employees in Groton are involved in the complicated plans to produce and distribute the vaccine. Thank you, neighbors.

Nevertheless, timing will be everything — as it usually is — and waiting is hard — as it always is.

In the days since Monday's announcement by Pfizer, numerous medical experts have expressed identical hope and caution: "The goal is now no longer to learn to live indefinitely with the virus," say a pediatrician and a lawyer writing in the New York Times Opinion pages. "It's to get as many people through the winter as possible without getting sick. ... A death avoided this winter is a life saved." 

Dr. Paul Offit, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the F.D.A.'s vaccine advisory panel, was specific: "This will not replace hygienic measures — it will be an adjunct to hygienic measures," he said. "You owe it to others to make sure you wear a mask." And, according to CDC guidelines released Tuesday, a mask protects the wearer as well.

Between now and the time when one or more vaccines become widely available, much has to happen. Pfizer and other drug companies will continue testing and, if all goes well, apply to the FDA for emergency authorization and ultimately full-scale approval. The states, including ours, will simultaneously be moving ahead on plans they have submitted to the federal government for distribution and deciding who gets each level of priority for the vaccine. Congress, whether lame-duck now or newly seated in January, will no doubt be urged again to consider more financial assistance to businesses and individuals — with a goal of tiding them over while the vaccine is readied.

The rest of us have one main task, and it is the same as before, but with new incentive: to avoid heedless actions that spread infection. If anything, we have to get more serious about our efforts to prevent the viral spread. A lot of damage could be done before any vaccine becomes available.

The independent reviewers of the Pfizer trial and the FDA decisionmakers still have much to examine, including possible side effects, whether children can be safely vaccinated, and how long vaccination is effective. Pfizer itself has mobilized three committees to work on allocation of vaccines, explaining the science to non-scientists, and communicating the vaccine message to the public. Hospitals, health districts and the military all have assigned roles to play and distribution plans to coordinate.

None of that lessens the excitement of a vaccine on the horizon. Yet, as everyone knows, the current administration has a starkly different take on what should be done, or not done, from the presumed incoming administration. President-elect Joe Biden named his coronavirus task force as his first priority, but he will have no governing authority until Jan. 20. The Trump administration could make a critical, life-saving difference by cooperating so that a majority of Americans feel confident about being vaccinated when the time comes.

The object for everyone is to keep Americans safe until the vaccine makes us safer.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.