Five years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic - what have we learned?
Mar 11, 2025
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Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an Infectious Disease Specialist renowned for his insightful commentary during the pandemic, shares his reflections five years after the COVID-19 crisis began. He discusses the early mismanagement of responses, the evolving public trust in health authorities, and the emotional toll on healthcare workers. The conversation highlights both the tragic losses and the advancements in vaccine technology, emphasizing the lessons learned about health equity and public health literacy in the wake of such a transformative global event.
Experts recognized COVID-19's severity early on, as warnings in late 2019 prompted critical discussions about potential global spread.
The pandemic eroded public trust in health authorities, emphasizing the need for transparency and better communication in future health crises.
Deep dives
Recognition of Early Seriousness
Many experts recognized the severity of COVID-19 earlier than the general public. An infectious diseases specialist detailed how a report from ProMed Mail raised red flags on December 30, 2019, indicating a pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, China. This prompted immediate discussions among colleagues about the potential for a significant outbreak, including analyzing travel patterns suggesting global spread. The early acknowledgment led to the publication of one of the first peer-reviewed papers on the topic, underlining how some health professionals were acutely aware of the looming crisis before it escalated.
Lessons Learned and Communication Failures
Significant mistakes were made in the response to the pandemic, particularly in appreciating and communicating uncertainty. Early reliance on influenza pandemic strategies did not translate well to COVID-19, illustrating a lack of adaptability in public health responses. Experts also noted a slow recognition of the benefits of masks, a critical tool for infection prevention, which contributed to ongoing divisiveness around public health measures. The need for better communication of emerging data and policies was emphasized, with leaders urged to keep the public informed as situations evolved.
Changes in Public Trust and Vaccine Hesitancy
The pandemic has notably affected Canadians' trust in public health authorities, with a clear divide in public perception emerging. Some individuals were impressed by rapid advancements in science and vaccine development, while others became disillusioned by inconsistent policies and communication. This erosion of trust contributed to increased vaccine hesitancy for childhood immunizations, such as measles, highlighting the long-lasting effects of the pandemic on public health engagement. Experts emphasized the necessity of rebuilding public trust through transparency, humility, and honest discussions rather than by shaming and blaming individuals for their concerns.
It was 5 years ago today the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic because of the novel coronavirus.
It marked the start of a very different way of life, disrupting almost every part of our society, including our concept of time.
What have we learned from that fateful day 5 years ago, and what has been the impact on society and on public health?
Host Gurdeep Ahluwalia speaks with Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch, @BogochIsaac, about his recollections and thoughts on how we changed as a society because of Covid-19.
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