Covid-19 – What we should have done!

Posted on by Opher

The fact that we have this virus is not unexpected. We have known it was coming for decades.

Pandemics/epidemics are not uncommon. There have been a number in recent times – SARS, MERS, Swine Flu, Avian Flu, Spanish Flu, Ebola. There have been many science papers written, a huge number of dystopian novels and films and a general understanding that the big one was coming.

Covid-19 isn’t even the big one. It only kills about 1% (if treatment is available). The really big one will kill 99%.

So what should they have done (our beloved politicians).

  1. They should have prepared.
  2. They should have set up agencies to look into it.
  3. They should have made contingency plans.
  4. They should have funded research into viruses (instead of weapons).
  5. They should have created effective generic antivirals (we have none).
  6. They should have taken research out of the hands of companies and into the hands of governments.
  7. They should have developed global strategies and cooperation.
  8. They should have stockpiled protective clothing.
  9. They should have stockpiled beds, ventilators and drugs.
  10. They should have had facilities to make testing kits.
  11. They should have tested, isolated and followed up all contacts.
  12. They should have had robust contingency plans.
  13. They should fund health properly and have sufficient staff and facilities – with clear guidelines on how to expand should the need arise.
  14. They should have stopped these ‘wet’ wildlife markets.
  15. They should have stopped the opening up of our remote areas by hunters and loggers (that’s where these diseases come from).

In earthquake and tsunami areas they have plans. Why not with a virus?

South Korea did exactly this! The UK, USA, Italy and Spain did not. Result – tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths!

What is going to happen when the big one actually arrives????

Will we be ready or more of this false economy and complacency? This short-term thinking and stupidity??

If I can think of it then it should not be beyond governments to think about it. Scientists have been shouting long and loud. Nobody was listening!!

Incompetence and complacency rules!!