There has always been a declaration from the World Health Organization (WHO) about when a pandemic would end. In August 2010—when the last pandemic struck us, the H1N1— world’s apex agency declared: “The world is no longer in Phase 6 (full-fledged pandemic) of the influenza pandemic”. The H1N1 virus had largely run its course.” But as we enter the eighth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, a similar declaration seems a far cry. Unlike H1N1, the current one is far from over; it is setting records in terms of spread. So, how will the world will handle such pandemics in the future.
The H1N1 pandemic lasted 15 months, and arguably, it is the shortest pandemic spell in recent history. The COVID-19 pandemic, by far, has turned out to be unbridled and deadly, and has given no hope of a slowdown. It could beat historic records, as daily record cases show. As of July 8, 2020, more than 180 countries reported new cases by the thousands every day. But no fresh academic articulation of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic has caught people’s attention. Rather, there seems to be a certain feeling that many more such pandemics will be striking us. But are we prepared?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 16, 2020-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 16, 2020-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.
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A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara
