When the pandemic has passed, will we labour intensively in an attempt to resuscitate dead ideas of the past; or worse still, descend into a world of paranoid and hostile tribes? Or, will we instead act as a cooperative family of nations striving together for peace, equality and the betterment of mankind? History will surely judge us.
Early reports from authorities in China suggest the viral load is higher in patients with more severe disease, which is also the case for SARS and influenza.
Despite allegations of gaining control and tales of information warfare, many leaders have expressed sincere gratitude to China for their unparalleled support during the current global crises.
As coronavirus cases in Europe and America continue to outstrip Asia, with the number of confirmed-cases in the U.S. alone more than three times the amount in China, it appears the use of face masks may now start to play an important role in their battle with the virus.
How long the metaphorical trench lasts for, or indeed, how deep it goes, will ultimately be decided by the length of time it takes world leaders to bring the pandemic under control. A look to China offers some hope. COVID-19 can and will be beaten.
Hospitals across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, are suffering an acute shortage of respirator masks, eye masks, basic hygiene products and other essential private protective equipment.
There are positives signs for closer international cooperation on fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic as the G20 video summit was convened and Chinese and US leaders had a phone call.
Despite these challenges, for students, online learning is offering them a chance to resume their education and to return to a state of normality that they haven’t experienced for many weeks.
It is not only the world of politics which has been rocked by the coronavirus, the world of business has been shaken from its ideological center as well.
It is indeed strange that in the eyes of the New York Times, the coronavirus poses a test to only the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and its spread across the country is exclusively the fault of the Chinese system of government. What about the spread across Europe?
Neither the less, with the WHO’s announcement that COVID-19 is now a pandemic, the time for containment appears over and the move to social distancing must happen across the world in earnest.
Different systems and cultures have led to different responses from country to country in dealing with the same situation, but all the countries should work together to combat this outbreak and its challenges.
