With slow but steady steps societies are lifting restrictive measures, approaching normalcy and the pre-covid era. But how close are we to the end of the pandemic? When will we “clean” from the coronavirus? To answer these questions, Dr. Stamatoula Tsikrika, president of the Hellenic Association of Pulmonologists and pulmonologist at the “Sotiria” hospital.
According to the APE-MPE, it is not easy to determine the time of transition of the pandemic to the endemic phase, and even more risky is the possible prediction for its termination.
“Entering Lent and staring at Easter, we all wish to ‘cleanse’ as soon as possible of the coronavirus, which counts millions of human lives lost around the world. To be able to hug and kiss like two years ago, to get rid of masks and antiseptics and our daily life to return to the rhythms of the pre-covid era “, says Ms. Tsikrika.
How close are we to returning to normalcy?
“Does it seem utopian or ‘endemic delusion’ that our pious desire to get rid of the coronavirus quickly when epidemiological indices are still high and the concern about new mutations is troubling the scientific community?” “How feasible and true can the predictions for the end of the pandemic be at the given time?”, The president of the Hellenic Pulmonologists Association asks.
“We have to acknowledge that in no case are we at the same level of knowledge and treatment as we were when the virus first appeared. The contribution of reputable published research, expertise and cumulative science-based victories and the sacrificial offerings of health professionals can not be questioned by anyone. Since the beginning of 2020, the global medical community has for the first time been able to focus and unite forces exclusively on one disease, resulting in the rapid identification of the genetic sequence of sars cov-2 and the mass production and distribution of vaccines . In addition, with the advancement of research in a few months, new treatment protocols and antiviral drugs capable of acting effectively against the virus have been added. “
Planning specific actions
It is completely understandable, Ms. Tsikrika continues, that daily life can not continue with constant restrictions and prohibitions. The psychological, socio-economic and health effects are particularly painful and terribly unpredictable. Already, European countries, estimating the lower severity of the disease from the Omicron variant, but mainly based on the highest vaccination rates, both of the general population and of vulnerable groups, are gradually lifting the measures, starting with the release of the mask outdoors.
“The timing of the pandemic transition to the endemic phase is not easy to determine, and even more dangerous is the possible prediction for its termination.” However, he notes, “the design and planning of specific actions that will delimit the next phase of the pandemic must be a global health priority for both state health leaders and global organizations. The adoption of best practices in crisis management, the staffing of specialized public health systems, the booster dose of vaccination, the implementation of home treatment programs, the smooth and equal access of all citizens to appropriate treatments, the provision of quality indoor air , but also the provision of easy and low-cost diagnostic tests, are a series of targeted interventions towards the vision of the solution of the pandemic “.
If there is anything we have learned from the pandemic, the president of the Hellenic Pulmonary Association tells APE-MPE, “it is not to hurry and to move forward with strong and steady steps! Let’s hope that next year the celebration of Holy Monday will be covid free and the only masks will be the carnival ones! ”
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