What outcome was anticipated if proper studies had been conducted in early 2020?

The anticipated outcome of conducting proper studies in early 2020 was a better understanding of drug efficacy by March. This period was critical as the world was facing the COVID-19 pandemic, and early research into potential treatments and drugs was necessary to assess which therapies could be effective against the virus. Understanding drug efficacy would have allowed healthcare providers to make informed decisions on treatment options more rapidly, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes during the pandemic's initial phases.

While developing a vaccine sooner was a significant goal, the initial focus on immediate treatment options and understanding existing drugs was paramount in the early days of the outbreak. Similarly, while decreasing infections and increasing research funding are important, the immediate concern in 2020 was to gain a clear understanding of how current medications worked against the virus, which would inform treatment strategies and resource allocation moving forward.