But COVID-19 will not obliterate civilization, and we expect the disease to recede eventually. Its consequences are grave and will be lasting. Though lethal on a massive scale, this particular pandemic is not an existential threat. In this time of genuine crisis, governments too often abdicated responsibility, ignored scientific advice, did not cooperate or communicate effectively, and consequently failed to protect the health and welfare of their citizens.Īs a result, many hundreds of thousands of human beings died needlessly.
The pandemic revealed just how unprepared and unwilling countries and the international system are to handle global emergencies properly. In 2020 alone, this novel disease killed 1.7 million people and sickened at least 70 million more. Humanity continues to suffer as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads around the world.
