[SBS Special] Virus VS Human-Part 1 'Plague and Country' ③

Two years ago, WHO selected 'Disease X' as one of the list of diseases that would threaten humanity. Soon after, the Corona 19 virus hit the world. Is 'Corona 19' an unknown 'Disease X' that WHO warned? Is another disease waiting? Are we safe enough?

● Common Infectious Diseases, a new virus 'Unknown X'

Infectious diseases that spread beyond the interspecies barrier between animals and humans are called 'common infectious diseases'. Most of the new and strained viruses that threaten humanity from the past 'Sas' and 'Mers' to the present 'Corona 19' are common infectious diseases. The problem is that the frequency of new epidemics that harm people's lives is getting shorter and shorter, and no one knows when and how they will appear. In addition, it has a different aspect every time, so it is difficult to prepare accordingly. Experts say that it is clear that new types of common infectious diseases such as 'Corona 19' will continue to emerge, but when is the problem. Is it really possible to prepare for the unpredictable new virus X?

"This is not the last time. We have to foresee the next."
-David Keyman, author of 'The Common Key to All Infectious Diseases'

"A new epidemic has occurred nearly ten times since 2000. Now we have to accept it as fate."
-Dae-Seop Song Professor of Pharmacy, Korea University ● Pay

attention to 'K-prevention'

The number of confirmed coroners in Korea is currently 26th in the world. (As of April 22) Just two months ago, Korea had the largest number of confirmed patients after China, the origin of the 'Corona 19'. At that time, there were no reports that the initial quarantine was unsuccessful because it did not stop entrants from China. What was different about Korea's quarantine? If other types of epidemics occur, can Korea's defense system show the same capabilities now?

"The country the United States will set as an example is South Korea. It has prevented the spread of infection without a strict blockade."
-Bill Gates

"The transparency and accuracy of information is very impressive. The world must learn."
-BBC Laura Beaker, Seoul Correspondent

● The importance of public health revealed through the epidemic, is our public health sufficient?

When the corona 19 confirmed surged, up to more than 700 patients per day occurred. However, Daegu Medical Center, the only public hospital, and Dongsan Hospital that urgently emptied some hospitals were the only hospitals that could exclusively treat corona patients in Daegu Metropolitan City, which has 25,000 beds in 12 general hospitals and a population of 2.5 million. There was only one. When the number of confirmed patients reached 5,000, 2,000 people waited at home instead of the hospital room, and patients died while waiting, and many patients were urgently transferred to other areas for treatment. It was a dire situation that could cause a medical collapse. The situation is not so different for most other municipalities. Only five years ago, there were promises to suffer from MERS, increase public hospital beds, and establish specialized hospitals for infectious diseases. Even if it includes a national public university hospital, the number of public medical institutions is still only 5.4%, and the number of beds is only 10%. Is our medical system safe enough to prepare for the unknown disease, Virus X, to come?

SBS Special, about 100 days after the first corona 19 confirmed in Korea, considered how Korea was better than other countries and what needs to be complemented in the national response to the new epidemic. In addition, in a situation where a new epidemic was to be taken for granted, a question was asked about what is needed for the safety of the community.

(SBS New Media Department)

▶ “The whole world is in a war without guns”… 'Corona 19' that threatens humanity
▶ Good hospital standard is 'profit'?… Even if the hospital bed overflowed, there was no place to go.