PRESS STATEMENT: LEARNING FROM THE PANDEMIC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The current pandemic has impacted almost all parts of the world, though at different intensities. It is pertinent to learn as much as possible about this pandemic to ensure that the world is able to recover fully. Because of the novel nature of this disease not all countries responded in the same way to address it which is expected. Many procedures however have been adopted by countries based on measures adopted by other countries (perhaps because measures taken by countries which were affected earlier were deemed successful). This lead to a significant number of countries adopting similar methods to adopt the scourge even through geographic, demographic and economic differences would certainly impact the effectiveness of these methods from one location to another. This resulted in some experts saying that there is a need for severe measures such as total lock-downs that completely restrict movement of people while other experts have advocated for less stringent measures such as stay-at-home advisories that are not enforced by security agents and allow people to purchase food and other items when they require it. There are some experts that predict a possible second wave of the scourge. It is critical to ensure that the world learns what truly works quickly (as opposed to what is perceived to work) so as to ensure that countries are fully prepared for any possible future reoccurrence if any at all. In the interest of humanity there is an urgent need for global and country-level research (across all countries) on critical areas relating to the pandemic. The following questions amongst many others will need to be answered?
What is the effect of using face-masks alone without social-distancing?
What is the effect on disease spread by applying social distancing alone?
What effect do lockdowns have on infection and death rates’ spread?
Comparison of the effectiveness in reducing the spread of the disease in countries (states) which had hard lockdowns versus those that had soft lockdowns (or even no lockdowns at all).
Effect of travel bans and border closures in controlling the spread of the disease?
What is the rate of deaths from people hospitalized as opposed to people not hospitalized?
What is the rate of infections and deaths in densely populated locations as opposed to sparsely populated locations?
What is the rate of death in upper-class cities and neighbourhoods as opposed to poorer communities?
What is the global economic cost of this pandemic (country level estimates are critical).
Which strategies are most effective (based on methods applied only)?
Which strategies are most sustainable for the long-term? For example while people could get used to wearing facemasks and going about their daily activities, social distancing would very very difficult to implement long-term because of the huge way it would affect every aspect of human existence. The global transportation industry (especially aviation) has been hit hard by this pandemic and it will be difficult to rebound if planes for example are expected to carry two-thirds (for example) of their normal passenger capacity to allow for social distancing in planes. Therefore strategies need to be effective for the long-term.
How long can countries (cities, states etc) cope with lockdowns before resulting into an economic crash and civil unrest (on a country basis)? This is important because it will allow governments to better understand how long and when they can adopt the lockdown approach (if at all).
How many of the deaths also had pre-existing health conditions and how many deaths were from people that were perfectly healthy before they got infected?
Are there external factors (such as weather, radiation, air pollution etc) that increase the likelihood of getting infected or inhibit an infected person from fully recovering?
What are the most effective measures for mitigating the spread of the disease in a hierarchal order?
What is the break down (country by country) of tests administered?
What is the rate of tests to positive and negative cases on a country basis and worldwide?
What is the threshold for testing which is required before a country has tested enough of its population?
What is the country by country recovery rate (as well as global recovery rate)?
Are there any commonalities with people that have recovered? Is there any conclusive information that can be deduced as to what makes some people recover while others do not?
What is the number and rate of those who tested positive and recovered and who tested positive again?
Going forward it is clear that the world has to learn key lessons from this pandemic for the future. A few recommendations are below:
Countries need to significantly increase transparency with information relating to infectious disease outbreaks (especially where human-to-human transmission has been proven).
The world needs to do a much better job in predicting or forecasting (through sustained research) possible future outbreaks that have potential to become pandemics.
Improvements and significant increase in the quality and quantity of health equipment (and materials) and facilities (especially personal protective equipment, facemasks, testing kits etc) available nationally and worldwide. It is quite alarming how simple things like face masks, PPE and hand sanitisers were just not adequate in some locations that experienced a surge in cases. A system should be developed to make it possible to produce these things on a large scale quickly (national and global coordination). For example if a disease affected the eyes and what is needed to prevent its spread is to put on eye glasses (protective or sunglasses for example) would it be possible to mass produce eyeglasses for hundreds of millions or perhaps even billions of people in a short time?
Countries need to find long-term solutions that do not violate the privacy of their people. Strong surveillance measures should not be encouraged or implemented.
The world has to find a way to increase global coordination and solidarity when facing a pandemic. No country is safe if other countries are not safe. Therefore countries need to leverage on each other for global containment (especially important for production and distribution of healthcare equipment). Because a pandemic has security implications it is important to identify and comprehensively address these issues nationally and globally.
Withholding critical information about this disease by anybody from the world is precarious. Adequate compensation is needed for countries (especially developing nations) which have been affected by the spread of this infectious disease if any country is determined negligent. Full accountability is required.
Understanding the root causes of the pandemic is urgent. This is because no one knows for certain when the pandemic will be over or if there will be a second wave. In addition, if another pandemic were to occur while the current one is yet to be fully contained the impact would be better imagined.
Countries need to create improved methods (by leveraging technology) to get farm produce that cannot be distributed (and would otherwise be wasted) to the people who are in need.
Irrespective of when the pandemic ends, there is a need to completely redefine the way we live and work. Companies, schools, businesses, governments etc need to move as much of their operations as possible online. This needs to be done in an urgent and aggressive manner.
There is an urgent need to significantly increase testing nationwide and globally. Testing should be available for all those who need it when they need it. Testing needs to be immediate where people can get results within a few minutes. Countries need to open up their economies as soon as is feasible.
Significant increase in contact tracing nationwide and globally.
Increased funding for local government areas (LGAs), state, national, continental and global responses.
Humanity shall prevail! God bless humanity!
Signed
Abiodun Ajijola
National Coordinator
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