Covid-19 | Health | Technology | What if there is no re-infection? by Jassi Pannu | Comment

A century ago, experts predicted that human cities with populations of millions could not be sustained for long due to the inevitable spread of disease. But technological changes have helped us avoid many of these, at least in the developed world Infections.

Vaccines and drugs are not the only inventions we rely on for this type of prevention. We no longer see soap, toilet flush or clean tap water technologies They are truly disease prevention revolutionaries. They are cheap, ubiquitous and commonplace in developed countries. However, these technologies They combat large numbers of outbreaks without needing to know the name of each pathogen. Epidemics like cholera still occur in developing countries, but this is a matter of global political will, not a lack of technological tools.

Los technologies prevention Infections The next generation is at our doorstep and we can incorporate these tools into our environment COVID-19 last International distribution of the world. But to make this future a reality, we must consider prevention Infections As a political priority, just as important as responding International distribution.

As in the past, we must evolve technologies Fundamentally changing our environment. Total eradication should be the goal today Infections Breathe from the table.

It starts with cleaning the air. A more ambitious version Technology Clean indoor air can quickly suppress the spread of even the most contagious pathogens, such as measles, at a cost sufficient to establish them everywhere people congregate and breed. Achieving this will require innovation beyond better ventilation and air filtration. These include bulbs that emit germ-killing wavelengths that are even safer for humans. These types of discoveries can reduce community spread and even memorialization of the common cold.

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Researchers have also progressed to other advanced anti-infective capabilities. International distribution. Vaccines are, of course, the pillar of prevention. Efforts are underway to make vaccines effective against entire groups of viruses, such as all coronaviruses. But modern vaccines should actually prevent it Infections Rapid breathing should be used widely and quickly, if possible, early.

The United States government is investing in microneedle vaccine patches and nasal spray vaccines that can be self-administered. These can be quickly mailed to every home, eliminating the need for medical and drug administration by trained health workers.

prevention Infections This will be a very difficult and ambitious challenge for the 21st century. But, based on the story, it is achievable and worth aiming for. We have never gained more momentum against the scourge of infectious diseases than we have today. There are more people around the planet involved in development and deployment technologies vs Infections Now more than any other time in human history. These recent developments, accelerated by International distribution of COVID-19They reach a tipping point. By investing technologies As public health has done for generations, we can adapt now, and we can build on it COVID-19 The Last Pandemic.

– Glossed, Revised and Translated-

© The New York Times

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