State of the Globe: The Trials and Tribulations of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Separated but Together, Telemedicine Revolution, Frontline Struggle against “Silent Hypoxia,” the Relentless Search for Novel Therapeutics and Vaccines, and the Daunting Prospect of “COVIFLU”

摘要

During the past 4 months, we have witnessed unfolding ofthe COVID-19 pandemicthat by nowhasaffected every corner ofthe planet, infectingmorethan 3.3 million people, killingmorethan 234,000,[1,2]and directly or indirectly affecting billions ofindividuals.[3] The quick risein bothcasesand deaths was dueto the high infectivity ofthe virus, quickly overwhelming health-caresystemsand prompting physical distancingmeasuresof historically unprecedented scale.[4] Thespeed and robustness of public health responses within individualcountriesappear to beassociatedwith early successfulcontainment, fewercases,and lower mortality.[5,6] Driven by fears justas powerfulas hopes, the humanity is nowfirmlyunited in defeating thecommon enemy, severeacuterespiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).