Global COVID-19cases surge: Professor A. Sharman exhorts Almaty inhabitants to stringently enforce quarantine guidelines
Viral Reality Check: Surviving the Second Wave, Advice from a Kazakhstan Health Guru
Professor Almaz Shorman, head honcho at the Academy of Preventive Medicine of Kazakhstan, recently dropped some knowledge bombs in an interview on Almaty's chat platform. He warned Almaty locals to buckle up, as we're gearing up for a possible second wave of COVID-19.
According to the big cheese, some nations have managed to control the current pandemic wave— shout-outs to the likes of New Zealand, Mongolia, South Korea, and Singapore for a job well done. On the other hand, countries such as Italy, Spain, and the United States have had some serious outbreaks, leading to hefty death tolls. We can see the same consignment of chaos unfolding in countries like Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and Australia, which have entered the swing season after battling the winter.
One thing that's come to light is the so-called "post-COVID syndrome." Apparently, some people who get cured of the nasty bug end up experiencing other health complications such as fatigue, cognitive issues, heart problems, and more. The world's medical mavens are scratching their heads, trying to figure out why this is happening.
In light of these developments, it's crucial for folks to stay on their toes, especially as the fall-winter season approaches. New outbreaks have been reported in Europe and Asia, all thanks to the drop in temperatures and people huddling together. The situation gets scarily real when you consider that our very own behavior can determine whether we'll experience a second wave or not in Kazakhstan.
Prof. Shorman urges everyone to keep their distance, keep those masks on, and work on our hygiene game. Preventing the second wave is really in our hands. If it does pop up in Kazakhstan, the intensity will be largely determined by us.
Now that we have a sense of his dire warnings, let's get a better handle on the kind of lessons countries like Italy, Spain, and the United States have learned in dealing with the pandemic and preventing subsequent waves.
The Strategy Blueprint: Lessons From Around the World
- Suppression Measures - The World Health Organization's recommended method of smashing the camel's back is to implement quick-fire measures for identifying and isolating cases. The aim is to lower the virus's reproduction number to less than 1, thus breaking the chain of transmission.
- Flexible Healthcare Systems - Strengthening healthcare infrastructures, particularly in the areas where a pandemic's impact is likely to be severe, is a no-brainer. This includes bulking up hospital capacities, building pop-up medical facilities, and ensuring healthcare providers are well co-ordinated.
- Research, Research, Research - Money spent on research into diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines helps us punch above our weight when it comes to responding to new pandemics.
- Public Health Governance & Science Integration - Fortifying the decision-making process with scientific advice is paramount and can help us avoid the drama that played out in some countries.
- Mobility & Social Factors - Recognizing how mobility contributes to pandemic spread and implementing necessary measures to protect public health is a tricky game. The sweet spot lies in balancing health needs with social and economic factors.
For a more in-depth look at the unique strategies used by Italy, Spain, and the United States, check out our handy dandy guide below.
Tailoring the Blueprint for Your Country
- Italy - Pumped up its healthcare system and targeted its efforts on contact tracing and case isolation, with some pretty aggressive tactics.
- Spain - Placed a strong emphasis on surveillance, vaccination, and public health education.
- United States - Is focusing on better vaccine distribution, shoring up its public health infrastructure, and improving communication between federal and state governments.
- In the wake of the "post-COVID syndrome" and the potential resurgence of chronic diseases, it is essential to integrate mental health care into our health-and-wellness strategies during the second wave.
- Prof. Shorman's advice underscores the importance of building strong scientific partnerships across multiple fields, including medical-conditions, chronic-diseases, and mental-health, as countries prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19.
- As we leverage the suppression measures, adaptable healthcare systems, research, integration of science, and considerations for mobility and social factors, we must also recognize the role of health education in encouraging residents to prioritize health and wellness, amidst mental-health challenges associated with the ongoing pandemic.
