The World Will Live More and More with Pandemics: How to Control Pandemics Without Confining the World?
Introduction
The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic shows us that the world is a village. At a very short time, an epidemic (high number of contagious diseases in a locality or a country) can become a pandemic (transmission of contagious disease on a continental or global level). As the world is currently like a village due to rapid means of transport (planes, high-speed trains, etc.), epidemics will very often become pandemics.
Closing the conference centers, sports stadiums, places of tourism is to confine the world with all the businesses. We are facing World confinement that does not say its name.
Viruses, bacteria, etc. that create epidemics and pandemics are vulnerable to disinfectants that can be sprayed on surfaces, holes, air, hands, etc. There are also barrier methods to prevent transmission. How can we control the epidemics and pandemics without confining ourselves and confining the economic and social activities essential to the survival of humanity, ultimately confining the world?
Isolation and Quarantine
When there is a rapid increase in cases of illness in a locality, this requires time to identify the contagious agent responsible and the measures and means of prevention. The time is short to avoid the risk of a pandemic like the case of Covid-19. Two urgent actions:
- Isolation of the locality: All the unknown epidemics should be considered as a global risk and imply a neutral international body that would take measures of isolation. It would mobilize the financial means to support the affected population. The conflict of interest limits the decisions of local and national authorities.
- Quarantine of people at risk: People who have left the locality within a maximum of three weeks and their contacts should be quarantined and tested if possible. If the test is positive, they should remain under controlled quarantine until the negativity ends. If the test is not yet available, they should return to the community (home and work) after three weeks of observation.
Physical or Social distension
For any beginning of an epidemic for which the transmission methods are not yet known, the distance of at least one meter should be strictly compulsory. For public transport by bus, taxi, etc., it is essential to have one passenger per chair.
Disinfection
Disinfection by spraying common areas (surfaces and holes) should be compulsory for public services, businesses, and any operator providing services to third parties. Households should be sensitized to disinfect common spaces and holes (toilets, sinks, etc.). Hand washing and disinfection should be mandatory, especially those who provide services to the public and those who use public services (airport, transportation, including buses, taxis, etc., hotels and other accommodation), shops, etc.). Hand disinfection before and after serving a customer. Hand disinfection before and after being served.
Port of Mask
In the epidemic locality and the surrounding localities, it should be mandatory wearing of masks by those providing services to the public and those who use public services (airport, transport, including buses, taxis, etc., hotels and other accommodation, stores, etc.). Even though fabric masks do not protect at the same level as surgical masks, they are more accessible for large-scale protection. Very high-risk personnel (health, tellers, etc.) should use the professional mask with a high level of protection.
Conclusion
The world (like a village) needs a common mechanism (authority and actions) to control quickly and effectively the epidemics that may increasingly be pandemics. It will avoid the confinement of the populations and the cessation of economic and social activities essential for the survival of humanity, as is the case for Covid-19 (Coronavirus).
Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, MD, MPH