The threat of pandemic disease is not new: For decades, public health experts advised that a coronavirus outbreak was looming, global proportions, and that the world was not equipped to fight it when it arrived. Why did governments not prepare in advance?
I am of the opinion that Government of many countries never imagined that such a devastating viral disease will emerge, which will occur in pandemic form causing morbidity and morality throughout the world.
I am of the opinion that Government of many countries never imagined that such a devastating viral disease will emerge, which will occur in pandemic form causing morbidity and morality throughout the world.
It is the WHO, monitors such highly infectious spread of diseases. It is a sorry state of affair that WHO couldn't make it. We learn from past that such pandemic, outbreaks suddenly not giving much space to get prepared to combat. Sometimes back I read a review on pathogenic potential of highly virulent species, which pointed out the urgent need to enlisting highly pathogenic microbes and then do their gene sequencing for making drug or vaccine. Certainly it is a take away message from SARS COVID-2 that world need to unite and be prepared collectively to fight against such uncalled for crisis.
World cannot be prepared for any pandemic ...as extent of problem is so huge that it is almost impossible to deal it effectively, but preventive measures and organized efforts can mitigate (not eliminate it altogether) the fatal effects of pandemic. No single organization, no country alone can fight the adverse effects and fatal outcomes of pandemic, so blaming WHO and any other organization is of no use, this whole planet is a pretty mess, so developed and developing nations are struggling with their own unique problems, what can be done (Elite class has its own way of dealing present and future pandemics) luxurious underground bunkers have been prepared to save them future corona and anyother novel pandemic), poverty will increase and developing nations will suffer more,
Thank you very much for your comments. Each approach is interesting because it helps us understand the situation and the response of governments to the pandemic more broadly.
Ihab A. Satam thank you! We have to think about the answer that helps society to understand and overcome the fears generated by the virus.
1. Scientific Literacy
I would start with the cognitive capacities of laymen and decision-makers to understand and consume science. Do we as researchers do enough to communicate science? Do our educational systems do a good job?
2. Confidence in Science
Understanding what science says is not always enough to establish public confidence in science and scientific workers. It's another long-term process to build societal trust in science.
3. Conflict of Interest (politically and economically)
Science is not always in consistence with the political and economic interests of different parties, organizations, and governments.
4. Seriousness of Health Agenda
Our politicians play great games with health agenda to manipulate masses.
The countries weren't ready for it many of countries just concentrate on economic growth ignoring the health growth of their nation.India is so busy with buying defence equipment and forgot of the health requirements of the country
Swaran Kamble I totally agree. Thank you very much for the answer and explanation.
i once heard a saying "we prepare for the worst but don't expect or think it would actually happen". In other words, i believe one can never be totally prepared. Ee build strategies and measures based on research, past experiences, assumptions, forward planning etc but when disaster occurs in reality, the effects can someone even differ from plans. This does not mean one must not plan but also understand the current realities. however, this Pandemic has showed us/exposed the weaknesses of the world and its systems. We indeed have a lot to learn for the future.
Sorry corrections in previous comment ---- I once heard a saying "we prepare for the worst but don't expect or think it would actually happen". In other words, i believe one can never be totally prepared. We build strategies and measures based on research, past experiences, assumptions, forward planning etc but when disaster occurs in reality, the effects can somewhat even differ from plans. This does not mean one must not plan but also understand the current realities. However, this Pandemic has showed us/exposed the weaknesses of the world and its systems. We indeed have a lot to learn for the future.
I believe “Absence of a Global health governing body” is the key response to your question.
WHO although perceived by many to be the leading international health agency, is after all “powerless”.
The IHR (international health regulations) are non binding. The absence of global health binding laws or regulations to act against global health threats as in the case of trans-border infectious diseases in a way similar to, for example, global trade laws through WTO (world trade organization) which are binding to all member states of WTO.
WHO has no capacity, mean or budget specially since the 1980s budget freeze and replacement of rising budget with donor countries model, to cope with the global health threats efficiently.
With no single alternate global health agency as GAVI, Global fund, B&M Gates foundation or even other UN agencies like UNICEF, that has the needed power to govern a global health threat as large as a pandemic.
From my point of view the solution should be empowering and equipping the WHO to lead the global health scene properly and to prepare better, rather than blaming it for being so week. I believe it’s not the WHO’s fault but rather its member states (The world!) cumulative decisions since the 80s that lead us to this current situation.
Dear Dr Amany Sadek, thank you for your answer, explanation and contribution!!!
The outbreak wa so sudden that earlier politicians thought it was as common as common cold.
World is busy in economic growth not caring about the climatic change,nor health ,nor for economically backward people, racism and casteism all this they are busy with they are like when it comes we will manage this is the attitude
It was beyond their calculation. They were little bit confused too.
I think the concept of fighting the unknown, concept of novelty came into play more than anything followed by the perception of "this shall pass too". Etio-pathogenesis is still not clearly known, management is changing day by day as the new evidence is being generated on daily basis. Still there are so many things which are not adequately understood. No clear cut disease specific drug/vaccine targeting the disease only is available. Hit and trial approach has been more of confusing.
The argument regarding virus origin is still debatable. Even after the passage of so much time, we are still unable to track down whether it is a natural phenomenon or laboratory generated.
Moreover in the earlier stages, there was a false tendency and sense of security. It was perceived that we'll be able contain it like other infectious diseases recently like Ebola, Swine flu etc. There might be few sporadic cases but it won't spread globally. But this time things just went South.
Another major factor was the failure on the part of any global international health agency like WHO to take timely and appropriate action. Misleading information, constantly changing statements and advisories by the WHO were of no use. WHO has lost so much credibility due to the COVID-19 situation.
Another factor was the lack of vision and ability to foresee the future. The phenomenon of epidemiological transition i.e our journey from age of pestilence to hybristic phase of diseases must be taken into account while conducting research, designing health systems and implementing health services.
In addition to the fact that the pandemic was sudden, wide scale, rapidly spreading, unknown before. all these and other points are true. But the real reason is that the world was going the wrong way in using resources. Instead of building well equipped and prepared health care systems, nations were fighting each other, creating wars, building huge stocks of weapons which remained totally silent in the face of COVID-19. We hope the future will witness a new era of peace, coordination to make life not death.
I think so, forecast and prediction were not strong. We people thought that this flue also will act like previous viruses and it will not be very destructive like pandemic.
In fact, China ignored the warnings given by scientists regarding the outbreak of coronavirus disease.
The following review article entitled "Bat Coronaviruses in China" published in March 2019 had warned that "it is highly likely that future SARS- or MERS-like coronavirus outbreaks will originate from bats, and there is an increased probability that this will occur in China".
Article Bat Coronaviruses in China
Similarly the following review article entitled " Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus as an Agent of Emerging and Reemerging Infection" published in November 2007 had also warned that "the presence of a large reservoir of SARS-CoV-like viruses in horseshoe bats, together with the culture of eating exotic mammals in southern China, is a time bomb.The possibility of the reemergence of SARS and other novel viruses from animals or laboratories and therefore the need for preparedness should not be ignored'.
Article Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus as an Agent of...
Had these warnings been taken seriously by China, then the present situation could have been avoided.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Medicine
- Public Health