In the light of COVID-19 pandemic I would like to ask where is the attention of global leaders in terms of preparedness against dangers such as infectious diseases?
With a strong leadership from young climate activists, the real threat of climate change got some recognition, unfortunately too late (or not enough), seems we surpassed the tipping point and our climate will change drastically.
With that being said, not only climate change is a threat to humanity. Mother Nature can have other daemons up her sleeves
Scientist from various disciplines have been trying to fight against infectious diseases for many years.
One of many interesting studies was done by Dr Sander Herfst from Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His research on Influenza A, experienced various setbacks from pure human nature – being concerned about bioterrorism.
I had a pleasure to attend his lecture on bioterrorism during my studies at Erasmus University, when he explicitly told us that the research was NOT done in order to create a lethal virus that will kill us all, but in order to PREPARE humanity for such real threat as pandemic outbreak of that particular disease.
The research of Dr Herfst and many others proves that scientists are globally trying to contribute to preparedness of human race for unavoidable pandemic outbreak of one of many viral diseases circulating in animal kingdom.
At the moment, world is battling #COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and so far as a third-party observer, I can say, I am greatly disappointed by lack of preparedness and prevention shown by world leaders. In some cases, this results in lack of protocols in place for lower ranks of leadership, such as educational institutions, group leaders, private companies etc. Leaving decisions of self-isolation to individuals, instead of the community. Epidemiologists are urging people to stay home to prevent further spread of the disease, however, if a company worker faces unemployment, he will rather show up to work. The same goes for business owners, who are facing unknown of global recession, while governments do not have any economical solutions in place.
Could that be prevented? I don’t want to speculate, because I simply don’t know. What I do know is that slow reaction of governments, lack of strict rules and protocols in place creates more chaos every day.
Each of us will have their own perspective on the global crisis that we are facing now, as international #PhD student on the last year of my lab work and my visa expiring in few months, I can say that staying home for unknown amount of time is scary. However, it is on our leaders to provide us with comfort of support and security.
Lack of strong #leadership nowadays hopefully will bring this problem to light and prevent this situation happening again.