ISSN: 2577-4301
Authors: Tabish SA*
The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we are facing. The virus has spread to all countries except Antarctica. As of 17 August 2020 2020, more than 22,113,000 people have been infected, and over 778,530 people have lost their lives. The global spread of the virus has overwhelmed health systems, and caused widespread social and economic disruption. Putting societies and economies on hold (lockdown) has helped to limit some of the short-term impacts of the virus. The faster all cases are found, tested and isolated, the harder we make it for this virus to spread. This strategy will save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic. This pandemic requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response. This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and may never go away. Even if a vaccine was found, coping with the disease would require a massive effort. Countries are racing to slow the spread of the virus by testing and treating patients, carrying out contact tracing, limiting travel, quarantining citizens, and cancelling large gatherings. Educational institutions are closed. COVID-19 has the potential to create devastating social, economic and political crises that will leave deep scars. Every day, people are losing jobs and income, with no way of knowing when normality will return. The financial crisis is already having a severe impact on poverty and inequality. The informal sector, a large employer in many EMs, has been highly vulnerable to the lockdowns and demand drops caused by the pandemic. Millions of workers who have abruptly lost jobs and incomes need urgent attention. Currently, there is no vaccine available and there are few specific antiviral strategies. Several potent candidates of antivirals and repurposed drugs are under urgent investigation. There is an urgent need to increase pooled sample testing and also start undertaking anti-body testing. Life and livelihood are crucial. The lockdown must be rolled back in a phased and staggered manner while ensuring that high risk groups are encouraged to stay home. Strict social distancing norms, use of face masks and hyperlocalization to contain hotspots and areas of high risk should be the way forward.
Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Vaccines; Antibody tests; Preparedness; Clinical trials; COVID-19 pandemic
