Pandemics in History

Outbreaks of disease in the history of human mostly lead to endless and at times, different issues that extraordinary masterminds need to offer solutions. Scientists are opportunist; they continuously examine the “what”, “when”, “who” and “how” of every circumstance to relief humanity. With the current Coronavirus outbreak, scientists from all disciplines must consider how to offer the pandemic another understanding focal point and, most importantly, offer critical answers for the related difficulties that threaten social structures for survival.

Coronavirus and its studies

Ever since the outbreak of Coronavirus, scientists in the health sciences and allies have begun to study etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, histopathology, clinical evaluation/treatment and diagnosis of COVID-19. An overview of scientific work in this area shows excellent contributions from Asian researchers, particularly from China, where the epidemic started. These hardworking researchers never gave in to a medical examination of what should be done to fight the virus. They continued to follow this path even in dangerous working conditions which led to the loss of some of their lives. They showed what researchers need to do consistently to continually seek solutions to relieve the pain of their fellow men, even in times of a pandemic.

Medical scientists must study the genomic sequence of the new Coronavirus in different regions of the world. Interestingly, other medical experts are diligently investigating this phenomenon to find out more about the Coronavirus by proposing preventative measures and, above all, finding medicinal remedies and vaccines to combat it ultimately. For example, while doctors look through the lens of conventional medicine, herbal doctors are experimenting with ways to use herbal extracts to make medicines that can strengthen the immune system and provide a powerful immune buffer to fight Coronavirus. These efforts are commendable. Extra effort needs to be put in finding more efficient means of testing COVID-19 patients, contact monitoring, and precautions/precautions for Coronavirus.

Coronavirus and Technology

Engineering researchers, particularly computer and mechanical engineers, are developing technologies to curb the spread of COVID-19. In some countries, digital technologies such as drones and robots have been developed and used to synthesize the manual application of locks. Mobile technologies are also being developed, such as the development of new apps for tracking contacts of COVID-19 patients and patients who have had contact with them. For example, MIT researchers are developing an artificial intelligence-based system to integrate manual tracking of contacts by public health personnel based on short-range Bluetooth signals from smartphones. In South Africa, ambulances are used with electronic test kits and laboratory services that have been developed through careful research to test and track people with COVID-19, even in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

In Ghana, the Ministry of Health recently launched the COVID-19 app, which can be used to detect people who are infected or who have had contact with carriers of the COVID-19 virus. These technologies, developed as a result of rigorous studies by some mechanical engineers and computer hardware and software engineers, are used to help combat COVID-19. Further technological tools are still needed to combat Coronavirus and dedicated technology researchers are always on the table to study these potentials.

Coronavirus and Agriculture

Researchers in the field of agriculture have an excellent research task in store. The ban led to a record high of post-harvest losses in countries. How can post-harvest losses be effectively reduced in times of pandemic and downtime? How can farmers use online marketing strategies and platforms to connect with customers and protect their products to prevent them from suffering substantial financial losses? What can the Ministry of Food and Agriculture do to help these poor farmers face the closure crisis? How can perishable agricultural products be efficiently processed into non-perishable products by food producers? These are great topics that farmers should investigate during this pandemic outbreak. Unfortunately, studies have yet to be conducted in these areas.

Coronavirus and Tourism

The tourism and hotel management sector is seriously affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. Many planned tours and tourist activities have been canceled due to travel bans. The worldwide tourism sector is estimated to lose high revenues of nearly $ 2 billion. Now, is the time when researchers in tourism and hospitality management could consider practical and virtual means for marketing these tourism websites through intensive research on smart tourism and e-tourism. Slight attention has been paid to this growing sector in tourism, particularly in developing countries. This pandemic should be the time when field researchers would find ways to raise public awareness of smart tourism and e-tourism.

Coronavirus and Social Sciences

Social sciences and humanities scholars such as sociologists, anthropologists and cultural scientists are tasked with examining the sociological effects of the COVID 19 epidemic, such as how to deal with social fears resulting from the pandemic. When assessing the economic impact of COVID-19 on businesses, the need to address e-business, e-marketing, e-banking and other electronic forms of doing business are essential issues that need to be explored.

Social and cultural anthropologists should examine the cultural and social perceptions of different people in the regions of the world regarding Coronavirus and recommend the use of culturally relevant measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, psychologists and psychiatrists must suggest ways to deal with post-traumatic quarantine disorders, stigma and discrimination against COVID-19 patients and their families.

In conclusion, this is the time for educational technologists to develop proactive methods for teaching online on various forms of learning management systems, intelligent tutoring systems and social media platforms. Artists must creatively produce cartoons and other types of characters in electronic formats to advertise them online in the fight against the myths and misinformation surrounding the treatment of COVID-19 and the need to eliminate all forms of stigma and discrimination against of individuals tested are for COVID-19. This is, of course, the time when researchers from all fields of study must work together to explore pluralistic tools to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic.