Are We Ready for a Major Epidemic?

　　Since last December, the novel coronavirus outbreak in Chinahas drawn widespread attention from far and wide. Accordingto experts, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has outstrippedSARS of 2003 and the H1N1 pandemic of 2009 in termsof the damage it has created. The fact that there are still novaccine nor specific medicine for the former two epidemics hasmade people even more worried about the current situation.

　　The spread of the virus has respected no borders, and in theface of this common enemy of mankind, the WHO DirectorGeneralTedros Adhanom called on the world to unite together tofight against the epidemic. The Chinese government has taken themost comprehensive, strict, and thorough prevention and controlmeasures it could have taken, and positive results have beenachieved as a result. The death rate remains low, breakthroughshave been made in medical treatment, and the number of patientscured and discharged from the hospital continues to grow.

　　China’s quick responses and effective measures have earnedit applause and extensive support from the international community.

　　Political leaders from many countries have madepositive comments on and supported China’s fight against theepidemic. Dozens of countries and international organizationshave reached out to China immediately, providing much-neededemergency medical supplies. People of other countries have alsocheered for China and sent sincere and moving messages ofencouragement.

　　Under the coordination of the WHO, researchers around theworld have strengthened cooperation to fight against the epidemicside by side. On January 7, China shared the genome sequenceof the novel coronavirus with the international community,enabling many countries to rapidly detect suspected casesin their own countries so as to carry out effective prevention. OnFebruary 11 and 12, a two-day global research and innovation forum led by the WHO was held in Geneva to mobilize internationalaction in response to the novel coronavirus emergency, gatheringroughly 400 participants, including leading scientists from virusrelateddisciplines around the world and representatives of publichealth agencies.

　　Meanwhile, a team of international experts led by the WHOarrived in China to work with Chinese experts. Their fields ofexpertise include clinical management, virology, vaccine and drugR&D, epidemiology, public health, ect. More efforts will be madeto speed up scientific research and innovation and build a globalnovel coronavirus detection and tracking network.

　　Since the outbreak, China has been actively trying to treat thedisease by combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) andWestern medicine. After being treated with TCM, patients withmild symptoms recover more easily, those in severe and criticalconditions can be improved, and some sequelae will be avoidedfor convalescent patients.

　　A total of 23 COVID-19 patients were discharged from the HubeiProvincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese & Western Medicineon February 6 after receiving the combined treatment of TCMand Western medicine. On the same day, the Guangdong ProvincialMedical Products Administration officially announced thatPneumonia No.1, a traditional Chinese medicine granule, will beused in 30 designated hospitals to treat COVID-19 in the province.

　　The rapid development of modern transportation and informationtechnology has brought people living all over the planetcloser together. In the face of a major epidemic that transcendsnational boundaries, it’s necessary for the whole internationalcommunity to work together, which is not only an importantmanifestation of internationalization, but also the rational attitudeand inevitable approach required to surmount the publichealth emergency.

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