Summary
This research’s specific objectives are to analyze the contemporary global pandemic, discover the most effective means to limit the spread of COVID-19, and prevent another epidemic from happening. The method used to study these objectives is secondary source research, focusing on defining the problem and describing the preventive measures worldwide and the UAE in particular. All of the above led to individual recommendations through the evaluation of the methods mentioned above. The paper’s central findings are the need for creative solutions to the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic and the overall cooperation between nations to stop the new epidemic from emerging. In conclusion, the UAE’s response to the pandemic was highly effective due to extensive testing and AI use. Lastly, the central recommendations are constant global health monitoring, execution of sanctions for perpetrators, and technology implementation.
Introduction
The COVID-19 virus has spread to nearly every state on Earth, with significant outbreaks in a number of countries. COVID-19 has been a test of many countries’ ability to deal with rapid increases in medical patient numbers and their ability to limit the spread of a virus. Understanding how this virus spreads is the first step in limiting future outbreaks. Researching regional approaches, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to outbreak prevention can help determine which methods are most effective. Similarly, global responses must also be analyzed to understand how a pandemic can be limited through international cooperation. Several potential solutions can be synthesized from the available data, which can then be evaluated to determine which methods are most effective. Additionally, recommendations for pandemic prevention can be formulated to guide government officials and medical professionals.
The Description of the Situation
A cluster of unknown pneumonia with unexplored etiology emerged in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. It was known that some of the initial patients visited a seafood market, where people were selling various wildlife species. The following virus separation from human subjects and a molecular study revealed that the pathogen was a novel coronavirus (CoV), initially called 2019-nCoV (Sun et al., 2020). Afterward, the World Health Organization (WHO) changed the name of the disease to COVID-19. This new CoV is currently the seventh Coronaviridae that can be transmitted to people. The virus started to grow rapidly due to the critical increase of cases.
The second phase occurred on January 13 and was highlighted by the accelerated expansion of cases due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in hospitals and families. During this phase, the virus reached areas outside of Wuhan and Hubei Province. Subsequently, by the end of January, the virus reached 29 provinces and six foreign countries with a total of 846 cases of the disease (Sun et al., 2020). Lastly, the third phase started shortly after, because of the unprecedented increase of cluster cases. On January 30, the WHO announced that this outbreak is a new public health emergency of international concern (Sun et al., 2020). The initial case of COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was verified on January 29, 2020 (Moonesar et al., 2020). Consequently, the quantity of infected individuals has continued to expand further. Overall, the COVID-19 expansion was very rapid, as it is a highly contagious disease spread around the globe over several months.
The Significance of the Problem
Additionally, the problem’s seriousness has undoubtedly provoked all countries to mobilize and implement specific preventive measures. The WHO has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, indicating that it will continue to spread actively (Moonesar et al., 2020). Besides, nations must prepare for the occurrence of extensive community transmission. Thus, the situation’s rapid development led to the subsequent serious changes to the state of global affairs, as the ability to move freely around the world has ended. Furthermore, different governments had to impose various regulations that limit citizens’ everyday lives. The virus’s contagious nature and the disease’s respiratory essence had affected many individuals within the UAE and beyond. Therefore, government officials have been dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic for over half a year, due to lack of appropriate medical treatment or vaccination.
Solutions to Prevent Global Pandemic
Solutions Implemented Worldwide
COVID-19 pandemic does not yet have a cure or a vaccine; thus, the preventive measures are the prevailing way of limiting the spread of the infection. Early testing, diagnosis, subsequent isolation, and treatment are essential to limit further spread. The most crucial approach for the individuals in the community to undertake is to routinely wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, and restrain from touching faces after being in possibly contaminated surroundings. Furthermore, social distancing is recommended, especially in areas that have community transmission. Some states had to implement strict measures, including event cancellation, prohibition or restriction of mass gatherings, border closures, and quarantine laws for entire areas or states (Güner, Hasanoğlu, and Aktaş, 2020). Lastly, to reduce COVID-19 transmission from asymptomatic subjects, the WHO promotes the usage of face masks.
Solutions Implemented in the UAE
The UAE response to COVID-19 has been heavy-handed, involving wide-spread testing, early recognition measures, and travel restrictions. By April 2020, the country had already conducted over a million COVID-19 tests, both for incoming travellers and at drive-in locations (Moonesar et al., 2020). The UAE has an efficient, well-financed healthcare system that could take on and contain the influx of new infections. Throughout the country, the spread of COVID-19 was limited by mandatory quarantines enforced with punitive measures, closing public areas, and limits on mass gatherings.
The UAE has also succeeded in implementing various creative and effective solutions during the fight with the global pandemic. The UAE has utilized the laser-based DPI technology, which allowed for large-scale testing within seconds and applied virtual chatbot that enabled people to learn more about their symptoms (Smart solutions to fight COVID-19, 2020). Moreover, the country had used the ALHOSN UAE app, which allowed individuals to receive test results directly to their smartphones. The government also used electronic wristbands to track individuals’ geographical location on self-isolation. Finally, the state used AI to trace compliance with COVID-19 regulations (Smart solutions to fight COVID-19, 2020). Overall, the UAE utilized various technologies, including smartphone apps, to reinforce COVID-19 rules and spread information.
Solutions to Prevent Pandemic in the Future
Some lessons can be learned from the current COVID-19 outbreak and the 2002 SARS outbreak to prevent a future global pandemic. Rapid communication between governments and international health organizations, in particular, was key to limiting the spread of SARS in 2002 (Wilder-Smith, Chiew, and Lee, 2020). This information can inform travel bans and limitations that can facilitate the barriers of the spread of any future disease. The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network was vital to communication during the SARS and the COVID-19 outbreak (Wilder-Smith et al., 2020). This organization, along with the WHO, should be expanded and better-financed to facilitate their work.
Evaluation of the Outcomes
The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has mainly been mixed, with different states adopting various measures to limit or contain the spread. Worldwide, such measures as travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines have some effect; however, the UAE’s response has some unique qualities. Firstly, the implementation of technology in preventative measures, from AI surveillance to robots on the street. The UAE has demonstrated an effective way to fight the virus using its considerable resources and technological know-how. While this solution may not be possible for all countries, it proves novel possibilities for the containment of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Conclusion
To conclude, COVID-19 is a highly-contagious disease that received global pandemic status in March of 2020. The virus became wide-spread and forced governments from various counties to implement specific preventive measures to protect their civilians’ lives. The UAE was exceptionally efficient in containing the virus’s spread due to the excellent large-scale testing and quarantine enforcement measures. Furthermore, apart from implementing the standard recommendations utilized globally, the UAE used creative solutions through AI and other contemporary technologies. The further development of various robots, mobile apps, and other innovative measures can ensure the successful way of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, the cooperation between the Gulf States and the rest of the world is essential to prevent another epidemic.
Recommendations
Reforming international institutions and implementing technology can help limit the spread of COVID-19 and fight future pandemics. Such organizations as the WHO should be able to monitor research labs that might have a disease risk. The WHO should be empowered to sanction states that permit potentially dangerous research. Sanctions should also be extended to countries that do not report and communicate about new diseases to ensure the reporting is less damaging than lying about an outbreak. Such technology as data science and AI can supplement researchers in tracking and analysing new infections to limit the spread and provide governments with actionable information.
Reference List
Güner, R., Hasanoğlu, I. and Aktaş, F. (2020) ‘COVID-19: Prevention and control measures in community’, Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 50(SI-1), pp. 571-577.
Moonesar, I., A. et al. (2020) ‘Rapid response: Informing United Arab Emirates’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic’, 52nd Technical Report of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, pp. 1-51.
Smart solutions to fight COVID-19 (2020) Web.
Sun, J. et al. (2020) ‘COVID-19: Epidemiology, evolution, and cross-disciplinary perspectives’, Trends in Molecular Medicine, 26(5), pp. 483-495.
Wilder-Smith, A., Chiew, C. J. and Lee, V. J. (2020) ‘Can we contain the COVID-19 outbreak with the same measures as for SARS?’, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 20(5), pp. 102-107.