How Can we get stronger after the COVID-19 ?

A virus of microscopic size has the power to influence the climate of the entire Earth.

Good immunity after coronavirus infection

A whole series of studies show very positive results on persistent good immunity in people who have contracted the coronavirus, even in those who have only had mild symptoms! Several articles are in the process of being published and still need to be validated by third parties, but many nonetheless reveal very interesting results.

In addition to antibodies, people who have contracted the coronavirus have other so-called memory immune cells (T-cell lymphocytes and B cells) that may protect over the long term on further exposure. Although the short-lived antibodies (IgA and IgM type) drop after 3 months (which is quite normal and observed for most diseases), several studies show the persistence of IgG type antibodies beyond 3 months in cured people, but also the longer activation of other immune cells including so-called "memory" lymphocytes (T and B lymphocytes). In addition, studies show that even people who are asymptomatic or who have only developed mild symptoms have activated memory immunity, without necessarily having detectable antibodies in the blood. Thus, SARS-CoV-2-specific T lymphocytes were identified in people without antibodies against the coronavirus in the blood (who were positive on nasopharyngeal screening but without symptoms or very few symptoms or in family members of COVID patients).

Currently we are also studying the mechanisms of immunity of the mucous membranes of the body (wall of the nasal cavity, intestinal mucosa, etc.) and the presence of antibodies in body fluids other than blood (in saliva, tears, etc.). Many immune agents play an important role in protection after infection, and not all of them can be measured by a blood test. In addition, while the presence of "long-term" IgG-like antibodies is desirable for good protection, other cells and immune mechanisms defend the body. They may also partly explain why healthy children and youth are less severely affected than older adults and sometimes do not seem to produce detectable antibodies in the blood. The presence of antibodies, even short-lived, is in all cases a sign of activation and stimulation of the immune reaction. A study of more than 100,000 people in England by the Imperial College of London (based on a rapid self-test kit for antibodies to yourself at home on a drop of blood from the finger) revealed the presence of antibody in 96% of people tested who had had an infection confirmed by a nasopharyngeal smear (with or without symptoms).

How did it affect the economy?

The global economic slowdown has had a significant impact on the environment. Pollution and the greenhouse effect have been drastically reduced in several regions of the world. These are indirect, but positive results of this unprecedented pandemic. Restrictions on economic activity, air, land and sea traffic, as well as the closure of industries and the confinement of the population have led to a surprising decrease in environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The economic slowdown caused by the pandemic is expected to have an impact equal to or greater than that of the 2008 global recession on emissions. In other words, we will have an absolute drop in global carbon emissions by the end of 2020 and maybe even until 2021 or 2022. Thanks to the containment of the population, wild animals have been observed in some cities: a puma in Santiago de Chile, a wild boar in the streets of Barcelona, ​​or a civet in India.

You should also read:

After COVID-19: Global perspective from the W.H.O

Protect and preserve the source of human health: nature

Economies are the product of healthy human societies, which in turn depend on the natural environment - the original source of clean air, water and food as a whole. Human pressures, from deforestation to intensive and polluting agricultural practices, to unsafe management and consumption of wildlife, put these services at risk. They also increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases in humans - over 60% of which originate from animals, mostly wildlife. Comprehensive plans for post-COVID-19 recovery, and in particular plans to reduce the risk of future epidemics, must go further back than the early detection and containment of disease outbreaks. They must also reduce our impact on the environment, so as to reduce the risk at the source.

Invest in essential services, from water and sanitation to non-polluting energies in healthcare facilities

Around the world, billions of people do not have access to the most essential services that are essential to protect their health from COVID-19 or any other risk. Hand washing equipment is essential to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, but is lacking in 40% of households. Antimicrobial resistant pathogens are widely present in water and waste and sound management of these pathogens is needed to prevent their re-spread among humans. In particular, it is essential that health care facilities are equipped with water and sanitation services, including soap and water, the very first step to interrupting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 like other infections. ; that they have access to a reliable source of energy that is essential for the safe performance of most medical procedures, and that health workers have professional insurance.

Ensure a rapid energy transition in the interests of health

At the same time, the sources and storage of renewable energies continue to see their price decrease, their reliability increase and generate the creation of more, safer and better paid jobs. Energy infrastructure decisions made today will be locked in for decades to come. Taking into account the full economic and social consequences, and making decisions in the interest of public health, will help promote renewable energy sources, leading to less polluted environments and healthier citizens.