Introduction
For the entire existence of humanity, the world has fought against several pandemics such as SARS, H5N1 avian influenza, Ebola, and swine influenza. Nowadays, the world’s whole population is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, which was caused by globalization and advanced methods of distant communication. Each pandemic caused irreparable damage to the population and economies of many countries.
Effects on global economies
Pandemics and epidemics of the 21st century, such as Ebola, H1N1, and COVID-19, negatively affected the global economy, and lingering economic problems appeared. According to Garibaldi, Moen & Pissarides (2020), the average loss in global outputs is approximately 2,6%. Pandemics that started at the beginning of the century still affect the global economy, and total output is still 3% below the pre-pandemic level. Percentages of production depend on the location, and they might vary at a high rate. For instance, the East and South parts of Asia have low percentages of output loss, about 1,22%, while Europe and central Asia have around 5% of output loss (Garibaldi et al, 2020). Tackling uneven economic losses is a top priority for the global economy.
Actions of national and global healthcare systems
Analyzing the COVID-19 pandemic, World Health Organization urged every country in the world to take such measures as lockdowns, mask and gloves wearing, creation of distance education, and working. The coronavirus restrictions differ according to governments’ expectations and beliefs in the healthcare industry. Acting to stop the virus’s global spread, most countries closed their borders, and tourism traveling became almost restricted. Governments did not stop cooperating, and rescue aircraft with doctors globally help in peak locations.
Differences in methods
Many countries put their own conditions to fight against the virus. For example, in Japan, medical professors decided that people who have light cases without any symptoms should stay at home and not be tested. Controversially, Indian experts believe that everyone should be tested even if they had minimum contact with the coronavirus carrier (Tanne, Hayasaki, Zastrow, Pulla, Smith & Rada, 2020). In some countries, hospitals changed their working methods, and many planned appointments were canceled in order to prevent the adverse outcome of COVID-19.
Impact of economics and healthcare systems on each other
The spread of viruses has resulted in a massive slowdown in economic development. Brodeur, Gray, Islam & Bhuiyan (2021) stated that the development of economics is becoming unpredictable, and instability of the labor market, supply chain, demands, and growth of GDP might cause a number of negative consequences. These drawbacks can vary depending on the strength of restrictions set by states and how people are following these rules. Moreover, a prolonged lack of freedom can cause mental health issues and increase economic inequity (Brodeur et al, 2021). On the other hand, the intensified fight will accelerate the recovery process and preserve future generations who will manage to revive the fallen economy.
Risk factors of diseases
Viruses often mutate, and it is difficult to understand why some people suffer from unpleasant symptoms while others do not. The key risk factors for catching viruses like Ebola, COVID-19, or swine influenza are age, location, and concurrent chronic diseases. According to Tenforde, Kim & Lindsell (2020), the older a person is, the weaker his immunity, and viruses easily penetrate the body. Moreover, location and sanitation play a huge role, and such viruses as Ebola easily survive in African regions. Furthermore, such chronic diseases as asthma and bronchitis put an individual at high risk.
Conclusion
With the advent of viruses, there is less stability globally, and it is essential to adapt to all changes in personal and economic lives. Decreased economic value can be saved in the future if all efforts will be invested in the fight against viruses.
References
Brodeur, A., Gray, D., Islam, A., Bhuiyan, S. (2021). A literature review of the economics of COVID-19. Journal of economic surveys, 35(3).
Garibaldi, P., Moen, E. R., Pissarides, C. A. (2020). Covid Economics. CEPR press.
Tanne, J. H., Hayasaki, E., Zastrow, M., Pulla, P., Smith, P., Rada, A. G. (2020). Covid-19: how doctors and healthcare systems are tackling coronavirus worldwide. Thebmj, p. 368.
Tenforde, M.W, Kim, S. S. & Lindsell, C. J. (2020). Health Among Outpatients with COVID-19 in a Multistate Health Care System Network. PubMed, (69)30, pp. 993-998.