What to learn from decades-long lessons
Covid-19 is a terrorist attack, and pandemics are terrorism. Complete lockdown, travel ban, several industries closure are unsustainable measures. One should think of more sustainable and effective ways to fight Covid-19 and future pandemics.
Similarities between terrorism and pandemics
Terrorism and pandemics are unpredictable; both strike unconditionally and spread fear and panic. Both attack every part of the world and love to hit big cities and densely populated areas.
The most impacted industries after a terrorist attack are tourism, airline industry, and entertainment. It takes time to restore trust and go back to regular occupation and booking rates.
The fight against the Covid-19
Several countries have taken different ways to fight the pandemic. There are three main strategies.
- Complete lockdown and isolation of infected cases
- Social distancing and isolation of infected patients.
- Social distancing with massive detection programs and tracking of infected persons.
The complete lockdown is not a sustainable solution. Also, locking down borders after a terrorist attack were not sustainable.
The quest for a Covid-19 treatment and vaccine is far beyond reach soon. Think of the HIV treatment that took decades and still no vaccine and think of the polio vaccine and again, no cure. It might not take decades, maybe a year or two, because of the international collaboration and the advancement of science; however, there is still a long way to go. Even after the discovery of a vaccine or treatment, there are several logistical and philosophical questions to be answered.
- Price of treatment or vaccine
- Production and distribution power
- Reserve vs. emergency need for other countries
- Equality of distribution within the healthcare system of each country.
How to win this long-term war
The fight against the current Covid-19 strain is a battle, not a war, and there are future battles ahead, whether against new Covid-19 strains or other viruses. There is a lot to learn from the experience gained since terrorism started to rise in recent decades.
Preventive and proactive measures go hand in hand in the fight against terrorism, and similar strategies should be used for the battle against the Covid-19 and future pandemics. Fighting terrorism is a long process that takes years, so does the fight against the Covid-19.
Preventive measures
The three human rights to fight the Covid-19
Preventive measures are vital by fighting illiteracy, unhealthy habits, and densely populated areas.
Though reports say that the virus does attack more unprivileged areas, the rule stays the same; no one is out of reach. This virus is very democratic; it struck the poorest man in that remote village and the queen of England and her prince son.
The privileged societies and classes need to understand that they do not live alone and that their bubble would not save anyone. Death is near, and no amount of money is enough is to save you when the time comes.
Either we stand together and think about how we will prevail together or keep acting randomly with self-centered strategies that can save you some time but not all the time.
Equal education rights, and not only rights, but chance, distribution, and quality. Which will lead eventually to healthy habits, better working opportunities, and conditions.
The right to get medical care, equal chance, distribution, and high quality to fight the Covid-19 and future pandemics at its primary fuel of spread. The host.
The right to live in a healthy neighborhood, with the right standards for ventilation and sun exposure.
Those are the three human rights to fight the Covid-19.
Proactive measures
Three health measures
Three primary health measures proved efficacy during the past few months.
- Washing hands
- Wearing masks
- Social distancing
These three measures are sustainable, with varying degrees of implementations. Washing hands are the easiest and least costly to implement. But do not take it for granted; millions of people around the world lack access to clean water and do not have soap. Providing clean water and washing hands is probably the most cost-effective in the fight against the Covid.
Wearing masks in public places is popular in East Asia since the Sars outbreak in 2003. It would not be difficult for other countries to enforce new laws that protect people in public areas, such as public transportation and shopping malls.
The third measure is social distancing, which varies from 1 meter to 2 meters, according to the country of your residence. However, soon enough, science will reveal the adequate social distance with the highest protective value, putting in mind that air ventilation plays a significant role in the virus spread.
Coping with social distancing
It is that third protective health measure that has the highest impact on economics. Distancing is not always applicable in many services such as restaurants, cinemas, and airlines. And not all jobs can be performed from home.
However, some broadlines rules can give such services a breath.
- Outdoor priority
- A limited number of people per square meter
- No waiting lines and better booking
- Quick health surveillance – measuring fever prior to entry to any facility
More proactive measures of inspection may be applied for traveling. Just like the strict security measures we all complain of at the airport. You are not allowed to carry guns and sharp objects at the airplane, similarly you are not allowed to get on a plane with fever or without wearing a mask. Negative PCR or positive immunity antibody tests will be added to the already strict visa regulations and background checks.
Use of technology
Current technology used for Snap Chatting, Tik Tok, and Facebook posting, are optimal for other more useful uses, especially at the time of pandemics.
- Location tracking using mobile devices for people with a history of Covid-19 exposure.
- Financial support using mobile financial services.
- Remote health care workers’ training and consultations.
- Gathering vast amounts of epidemiological data using the internet of things, big data, and artificial intelligence.
- Creating online social groups for psychological, financial, and logistical support, especially for the elderly.
International collaboration
Lastly, both terrorism and Covid-19 require international collaboration to fight it.
- Scientific collaboration
- Epidemiological collaboration
- Complete transparency.
In the end, humans will prevail, don’t allow fear to rule our world, only empathy, collaboration and hope will win this war.