Control of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and Economy

The control of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic may be very long. There are many persons who have no signs but can transmit the disease. How to fight the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic at the same time allow all economic activities to run. Public health experts should be able to find measures to prevent epidemics without requiring total confinement or the cessation of certain economic activities. In this case, the control of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic should be done without stopping major economic activities which are among others, the transport of people, sport, conferences & meetings, tourism, cinema, music concerts & cultural events and schools.

What are the possible measures to combat Covid-19 (Coronavirus) without stopping the economic activities mentioned above?

 Mandatory screening

The screening with rapid tests that detect early the Coronaviruses with 100% sensitivity already exists on the market. They can be done compulsorily for the crew, passengers, hotel staff, before entering sports stadiums, conference rooms & meetings, parks and museums, cinemas, music concerts & cultural events. It is expensive but it’s better economically than stopping these vital activities for both the national and international economies.

Isolation mandatory if Covid-19 (Coronavirus) test is positive

Anyone with a positive test should be isolated until he/she is negative before continuing the trip. Consent should be obtained when purchasing the travel ticket or check-in. 

Spray disinfection with products with high virus-killing power and non-harmful

Spray disinfection of surfaces and orifices with products with the high virus-killing power and non-harmful, should be done on a regular basis and be part of routine hygiene at airports, bus and train stations, planes, trains, buses, sports stadiums, conference & meeting rooms, parks & museums, and schools. Public authorities should ensure effective inspection of these measures.

Mandatory wearing of masks

Anyone working at the airport, bus and train stations, crew and passengers, teachers and students, anyone working in the tourism and leisure industries should wear masks. Camera surveillance and other technological means should remind everyone who doesn't.

Compulsory Social Distension (the distance of at least one meter)

Airports, bus and train stations, parks, and museums should organize a distance of at least one meter. Planes, buses, trains, conference & meeting rooms, and schools should inform and insist that people do not touch each other.

Mandatory hand disinfection with certified products

Hand disinfection with certified products should be mandatory for anyone working at the airport, bus and train stations, crew and passengers, teachers and students, and anyone working in the tourism and tourism & leisure industries. Camera surveillance and other technological means should remind everyone who doesn't.

Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, MD, MPH

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Control and Deconfinement for National and International Economic Activities

Introduction

Many Covid-19 cases have no clinical manifestations but are contaminating. Thus, the complete end of the Covid-19 pandemic may take a long time. The number of unemployed is already very high, poverty and hunger are increasing. It is imperative to find effective means of Covid-19 prevention and national and international economic activities. Without international economic exchanges, national economies will be weak for most countries. There is a need to find measures to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and national and international economic activities. Some recommendations:

Mandatory Wear of Mask

The compulsory wear 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, shops, etc.). Even though cloth masks do not protect at the same level as surgical masks, they may be more accessible by most of the population. Very high-risk personnel (health, tellers, etc.) should use the professional mask with a high level of protection. The taxi drivers and the passengers should wear a professional mask until the total end of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Compulsory Social Distension (the distance of at least one meter)

The distance of at least one meter should be strictly mandatory until the full end of the Covid-19 pandemic. For public transport by bus, metro, etc., it is essential to have one passenger per chair.

Mandatory hand washing or disinfection

Hand washing or 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 others) accommodation, shops, etc.). The sink with water, soap, and disposable paper for drying hands should be at every entrance to public buildings. Hand disinfection before and after serving a customer. Hand disinfection before and after being served.

Compulsory Disinfection of Common Areas (Public & Domestic)

In addition to extensive spray disinfection of public spaces with appropriate equipment mandatory for public and private companies, the production of small containers of spray disinfectants is necessary. In addition to hand sanitizer outlets, it is essential to have also hand spray disinfectants for small common areas.

Mandatory Screening of High-Risk People

Accessibility to screening tests with high sensitivity and specificity is urgent. Persons providing services to the public (hospitals, airports, transport, including buses, taxis, etc., hotels and other accommodation, shops, etc.) should have access to rapid screening tests with the possibility of confirmation in case of positivity.

Mandatory Quarantine if Positive Test

People who are tested positive should remain under quarantine under supervision until the negativity ends.

Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, MD, MPH

Covid-19 (Coronavirus): International Authority for Epidemics of the United Nations Security Council (UN-AIE)

 Introduction

The Covid-19 pandemic shows us that epidemics constitute a major threat to global security (the world is really a village). Scientific and medical advice from international organizations such as the World Health Organization is accepted or not according to national politics. Mandatory joint action against a common risk is essential. It is the Security Council of the United Nations that has the mandate to compel states to take action towards global security.

Why?

Political and health leaders have assessments based on political ideologies, economic interests, and even culture. The last epidemics of SARS, Ebola, and now Covid-19 show us how the world can be seriously threatened at a very high level and even see entire populations seriously affected directly (disease) and indirectly (economy). When Covid-19 started in late 2019, no one knew that we are facing a pandemic that will paralyze the world (confinement of populations at home with important consequences like a rapid increase in unemployment and poverty). The world needs authority in addition to scientific and medical advice from organizations like the World Health Organization. These organizations will continue their role as advisers for evidence-based decision making.

How?

The United Nations Security Council creates an Agency of the International Authority for Epidemics (UN-IEA) with the mission of deciding what joint actions States must take to protect the world from the threat of an epidemic that is beginning. The UN-IEA will establish offices where it deems necessary (national or subnational level) to collect information with a view to making decisions for action to control an epidemic that is beginning. Action to control the epidemic to be implemented by a subnational, national, or international entity (Provinces, Regions, Federated States, Countries, Transport Companies, Airports, International Air Transport Agency, etc.).

Conclusion

As it is difficult to know whether an epidemic will remain local or will reach the whole world as Covid-19 has done, countries will have to lose their autonomy in the control of the epidemics.

The Security Council should meet urgently by teleconference to take joint actions to control Covid-19. Countries and States actions are not coordinated enough to be effective at the international level.

Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, MD, MPH

Covid-19(Coronavirus): Test, Travel & Stay Safe

Introduction

It is crucial to find effective means of Covid-19 prevention to allow national and international travel imperative for global economic activities. Without international economic exchanges, national economies will be weak for most countries. There is a need to find preventive measures to control the Covid-19 pandemic and allowing safe travels. Some suggestions:

Mandatory testing before any travel between cities and countries

The testing with high sensitivity and specificity with early detection is urgent. Persons providing the transport services (airports, taxis, hotels, and other accommodation, etc.) should have access to the tests as much as needed.

Mandatory Quarantine if Positive Test

People who are tested positive should remain under quarantine under supervision until the negativity ends.

Mandatory Wear of Mask

The compulsory wear of masks by those providing the transport services (airports, stations, taxis, hotels and other accommodations, etc.). They should use the professional mask with a high level of protection.

Compulsory Social Distension (the distance of at least one meter)

The distance of at least one meter should be strictly mandatory. For public transport by flight, bus, metro, etc., it is essential to have one passenger per chair.

Mandatory hand washing or disinfection

Hand washing or disinfection should be mandatory. The sink with water, soap, and disposable paper for drying hands should be at every entrance of airports, stations, hotels, and tourism sites.

Compulsory Disinfection of Common Areas (Airports, flights, hotels and tourism sites)

The disinfection with appropriate equipment and products should be mandatory for airports, stations, flights, hotels, and tourism sites).

Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, MD, MPH

Covid-19 Control: Transition from Home Confinement, Ban on International Travels and the Complete End of the Pandemic.

Introduction

Many Covid-19 cases have no clinical signs but are contaminating. Thus, the complete end of the Covid-19 pandemic may take a long time. Already some countries are starting to reduce confinement for economic reasons. But without international economic exchanges, national economies will be weak for most countries. Global Health needs to study measures for the transition from confinement, restarting of the economic activities, and the control of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some recommendations for this essential transition:

Mandatory Wear of Mask

The compulsory wear 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, shops, etc.). Even though cloth 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 at a high level of protection. For motorcycle taxis, the driver and the passenger must wear a professional mask until the total end of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Compulsory Social Distension (distance of at least one meter)

The distance of at least one meter should be strictly mandatory until the full end of the Covid-19 pandemic. For public transport by bus, metro, etc., it is essential to have one passenger per chair.

Mandatory hand washing or disinfection

Hand washing or 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 others) accommodation, shops, etc.). The sink with water, soap and disposable paper for drying hands should be at every entrance to public buildings. Hand disinfection before and after serving a customer. Hand disinfection before and after being served.

Compulsory Disinfection of Common Areas (Public & Domestic)

In addition to large spray disinfection of public spaces with appropriate equipment mandatory for public and private companies, the production of small containers of spray disinfectants is necessary. Hand sanitizer outlets should also have spray disinfectants for common areas.

Mandatory Screening of High-Risk People

Accessibility to screening tests with high sensitivity and specificity is urgent. Persons providing services to the public (hospitals, airports, transport, including buses, taxis, etc., hotels and other accommodation, shops, etc.) should have access to rapid screening tests with the possibility of confirmation by the case of positivity.

Mandatory Quarantine if Positive Test

People who are tested positive should remain under quarantine under supervision until the negativity ends.

Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, MD, MPH

Please support the establishment of "International Authority for Epidemics of the United Nations Security Council (UN-AIE)" to prevent future pandemics, by signing the petition: http://chng.it/WkJs768k

The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is a world threat of both medical, economic, social, etc. It is necessary for the port of mask and other control measures are implemented at the global level. Please support the establishment of "International Authority for Epidemics of the United Nations Security Council (UN-AIE)" to prevent future pandemics, by signing the petition: http://chng.it/WkJs768k

Rapid Study of the Prevalence and Incidence to Adjust the Measures to Control Covid-19.

Introduction

Many Covid-19 cases have no clinical signs but are contaminating. But the contaminated persons can be sick and die. As general confinement has a negative impact on the subsistence income of the populations and the economy of countries, it is urgent to know the prevalence and incidence of Covid-19. Rapid studies in different regions and cities are necessary. Control measures may be specifically adjusted to the prevalence and incidence of Covid-19 according to regions and cities. The possible options:

Option 1: Absence of Covid-19 cases in a region or city

If certain regions and cities do not yet have a case, the control measures can be a ban on entry and exit, reinforce physical distension, hand washing and the port of masks compulsory for the persons who provide services to the public (airport, transport, including buses, taxis, etc., hotels and other accommodation, shops, etc.). But economic activities within the region or city can continue while implementing other preventive measures. This will allow having reduced internal economic activities. Goods entering and leaving can be disinfected as possible.

Option 2: Presence of cases (without new cases) of Covid-19 in a region or city

For the regions and cities that do not yet have new cases, control measures should include isolation of cases, isolation of entrances and prohibiting exits, reinforcing physical distensions, hand washing and port of masks compulsory for the persons who provide services to the public (airport, transport, including buses, taxis, etc., hotels and other accommodation, shops, etc.). This will allow having reduced internal economic activities. Goods entering and leaving can be disinfected as far as possible.

Option 3: Presence of new Covid-19 cases in a region or city

For the regions and cities with new cases, control measures should always include confining the population, prohibiting entry and exit of the population, reinforcing physical distension, hand washing and the mandatory of the port of masks for the persons who provide services to the public (airport, transport, including buses, taxis, etc., hotels and other accommodation, shops, etc.).

Dr. Claude Sekabaraga

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:

1. 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.
2. 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