Six months of virus — we are still learning

Ten million cases and 503,000 deaths. The Covid-19 coronavirus has crashed globally with the thunder of a tsunami and it is not done with us yet. Today marks six months since the World Health Organisation was first told of a cluster of unusual cases of pneumonia in China. It was the start of our reckoning with a pandemic which has swept up lives, livelihoods, and economies.

Here, 22 people have died among 1528 total cases with 1484 recovered. Billions of dollars have been spent on keeping the economy afloat.

After beating the virus into submission to achieve a long run of no new cases, we now have 22 in active quarantine.

Our success in keeping our Covid-19 footprint small has meant our outbreak has become more an issue of economy and border security. Most other countries live with infection being a real possibility.

After being lauded for our handling of the first battle in the coronavirus conflict, we are now in trench warfare to keep Covid-19 from regaining a foothold in the community.

With the election just over two months away, our parties are also scrapping for political territory and advantage. Realistically, we are a long way from lowering the country’s drawbridge.

There is a lot happening in the wider world which is discouraging. Victoria is battling 10 coronavirus hotspots in Melbourne and may have to lock down some suburbs. Eight hundred Australian federal workers are heading to the state to help out.

Europe is the sole region to get its case numbers down. South America, south Asia and North America are doing worse, while Africa is rising. The jury is out on whether the European Union’s reopenings will damage its hard-won progress.

We have learned much. First, the coronavirus is not merely a respiratory problem but a complex virus which can attack multiple organs.

Secondly, the way of dealing with it has become clearer. A dangerous new surge in the southern US was predictable because some states re-opened while infection rates were still high, their testing levels inadequate, and mask-wearing spurned.

Thirdly, knowledge gained will help people protect themselves when the next virus strikes. Masks became more important in places of high community spread as symptomless transmission was identified and to compensate for failures in leadership on the pandemic.

Through this, we learned of the relative safety of outdoors over indoor activity. Catching Covid19 from surfaces or in short interactions is far less likely than being in a closed room, close to people, for a lengthy period.

The head of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said yesterday the pandemic is nowhere near over.

“Most people remain susceptible,” he said, “the worst is yet to come”.

As slowly as the past 182 days have passed, the world’s still in the early stages of the outbreak. Six months in, we are still learning. This newspaper is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to formalcomplaints@nzherald.co.nz. If dissatisfied, the complaint may be sent to the Media Council, P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www.mediacouncil.org.nz Include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.