COVID-19 Pandemic: lessons learnt and the way forward

Abstract

Although the scientific community had been predicting and preparing for a pandemic for the last 10 years, many policy makers did not envision that a virus could cause such devastation to human life, economies and to the social structure. COVID-19 has taught us many bitter lessons and while moving forward it is important to understand that this current pandemic is yet to end. However, COVID-19 is unlikely to be the last pandemic that we face, Due to certain human activities such as urbanization, deforestation, increased human and animal interactions and climate change, we will see more pandemics emerging in the coming years. Preparedness and anticipation of such an event is the only way forward.