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?
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Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.