The world is grappling with an infectious pandemic that has left every country and healthcare system flatfooted. The World Health Organization classifies Covid-19 as a rival infection caused by a new coronavirus, which can present mild to moderate symptoms for those infected (WHO, 2020). People diagnosed with Covid-19 exhibit symptoms of respiratory illness, with most people recovering without undergoing special treatment. However, the elderly and those with underlying diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, may exhibit severe symptoms that can result in death. WHO (2020) cautions that the virus spreads through saliva or nasal droplets; hence people should take extra precautions to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Little is known about SARS-CoV-2, the strain that causes Covid-19, although experts have already confirmed that it can be transmitted from one human to another (Aljazeera, 2020). Covid-19 has spread rapidly across the world, putting the world economy and public health at risk.
Across the U.S alone, there have been more than 100,000 deaths recorded since the global pandemic declaration, with over 4 million cases of coronavirus tested within the same period (Facher, 2020). A majority of the people lost their jobs as the disease brought to a halt the entire economy. With surging numbers of new cases reported daily, the U.S healthcare system has been overstretched, exposing its weaknesses and cries among the millions of uninsured jobless citizens (Facher, 2020). Most developing nations continue to bear with underdeveloped healthcare systems and inadequate infrastructure to contain the virus. For instance, Kenya has recorded a surge in new coronavirus cases over the past few months, with the Ministry of Health warning that if the number of those requiring ICU services sore, hospitals will be overwhelmed (Okeyo & Shikanda, 2020). Indeed, both the U.S and Kenya healthcare systems lacked a pandemic response strategy that would have helped the two nations manage the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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Since Kenya and the U.S recorded their first coronavirus cases, the public health response to the pandemic was slow and unsure. Nevertheless, as more cases trickled in, little was done by both countries to strengthen the public health system and stop further spread of the virus. The rising new cases and high casualties denote the ineffectiveness of the countries` preparedness to combat the pandemic. Okeyo & Shikanda (2020) note that Kenya's public health system is inefficient in handling increasing cases, especially those requiring critical care services. Moreover, the country does not have enough trained healthcare workers to handle Covid-19 patients. Like Kenya and many other countries, the U.S public response to the pandemic began with imposing travel bans and social gatherings to curb is spread (Schuchat, 2020). Other countries imposed full lockdown protocols while others opted for partial lockdown, more so in areas that were hit hard. Despite stringent public health responses to the novel virus, many people failed to follow the guidelines issued by their respective health departments.
Undoubtedly, the untrained healthcare workforce, ignorance from the general public, and lack of adequate protective gear were some of the challenges facing the public health response in fighting the infectious virus. Regardless, one lesson learned from the pandemic is to continually train the healthcare workers on how to handle similar infections. Most countries were caught unaware, and with limited information, healthcare workers did not know how to protect themselves from contracting the disease. Another lesson learned is adopting community-led approaches to strengthening acceptability, flexibility, and foster communication. Following community-led approaches in disseminating COVID-related information would instill people stick to the guidelines issued by the relevant health bodies. These lessons, among many others, will be critical in guiding public health response in future pandemics.
References
Aljazeera. (2020). Coronavirus: All you need to know about symptoms and risks . https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/coronavirus-symptoms-vaccines-risks-200122194509687.html
Facher, L. (2020). 9 ways COVID-19 may forever upend the U.S. health care industry . STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2020/05/19/9-ways-covid-19-forever-upend-health-care/
Okeyo, V., & Shikanda, H. (2020). Hospitals may soon run out of space, kenyans warned . Daily Nation. https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/hospitals-may-soon-run-out-of-space-kenyans-warned--1770320
Schuchat, A. (2020). Public health response to the initiation and spread of pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24–April 21, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report , 69 . Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6918e2.htm?utm_source=mp-fotoscapes
WHO. (2020). Coronavirus . World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
