What COVID-19 has taught the world

Abstract

Background: A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has captured global recognition in a short period of time by dramatically impacting people's everyday lives and emerged as a public health emergency. Undoubtedly, it shows that lessons learned from past coronavirus epidemics such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) were not adequate and thus left us ill-prepared to deal with the challenges presently raised by the COVID-19 pandemic 1,2 . Methods: COVID-19 adds to the list of previous outbreaks of infectious disease epidemics that try to remind us that we live in an ecosystem where the relationship between human and animal life, and the environment must be respected in order to survive and prosper. Rapid urbanization and our forestland invasion have created a new interface between humans and wildlife, and have exposed humans to unfamiliar species, frequently involving unfamiliar organisms and exotic wildlife 2,3 . Findings: Every pandemic is nature's way of reminding us that the interrelationship between all forms of existence needs to be recognized. To limit new infectious outbreaks, the transdisciplinary 'One Health' solution incorporating 'Health in All Policy' involving all stakeholders especially environmental health and social sciences is being advocated (Figure 1). Conclusion: Savings and investments should be made by everyone to meet the unexpected. Stigmatization and prejudice among individuals in the world should be discouraged. Special attention should be paid to the elderly, as their immune system is weak. Health and safety precautions such as physical distancing and health hygiene etiquettes should be considered as part of life. Global experience teaches that containment steps and active tracing of contacts are effective to minimize the economic burden of disease and enhance knowledge of disease processes, health issues, disease emergence, and re-emergence. These lessons will help us to battle future pandemics.