A rapidly spreading respiratory disease could result in a Holocaust in less than two days.
The world is not prepared for a pandemic. This is the outcome of the first report from a WHO laboratory, which draws up the numbers of a planetary debacle. On the human level (80 million deaths in less than 36 hours) and economic (loss of 5% of world GDP).
“If it is true that history repeats itself, a terrifying threat awaits us, capable of creating instability and insecurity. The world is not at all prepared for this scenario,” it reads among other things.
The report encourages the creation and enhancement of systems capable of detecting and circumscribing infections, in a creative effort to prepare the world for this eventuality.
“For too long we have suffered a mixture of panic and oblivion when the prospect of a pandemic presents itself. We make all our efforts only when there is imminent danger, only to forget about it immediately afterwards,” the report continues.
5 steps to take
The report identifies five types in initiatives to counter the problem: state investment. More capillary organizations. Prevention systems in each country. Coordination between the various UN nations. Incentives for prophylaxis.
If history repeats itself
If a pandemic like the 1918 Spanish flu happened today, estimates the WHO, would cause damage of about 3 trillion euros, according to World Bank estimates.
If a similar contagion struck today, with a population four times larger and frequent travel to and from every part of the world, the catastrophic consequences would go far beyond the very high number of victims. A pandemic would destabilize national securities and impact the economy and trade. It would set society back many decades.
“The world is in danger, but we are a community with the tools to save itself and our economy. We need strong and concrete actions."
World Health Organization
