COVID-19 as a Disruptor and a Catalyst for Change.
Ian Freckelton
Abstract
COVID-19 has profoundly and pervasively disrupted the world's health, economy, security and attitudes. It has caused us to rethink what is most important for us individually and collectively, what we must change to retain viability as a species and as a planet, and what values and public health infrastructures governments need to embrace to avoid the next pandemic. COVID-19 has given a fillip to "One Health", the "Global Virome Project" and other co-ordinated initiatives to address the risk of zoonotic spillovers of disease. We are challenged to become more responsible in our workplaces and in public spaces. We have learned to trust and mistrust our governments in times of crisis. Our awareness of public health and the importance of evidence-based foundations for treatment and disease-prevention has been changed. Remote health service provision has become part of the architecture of conventional health care. Hybrid-working will become standard. Masks have become conventional accessories in congregate environments. Our respect and compassion for our health practitioners has increased but at a terrible cost. We have been reminded of the importance of direct and tactile communication with those whom we love.