These days, three years have passed since the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. unknown strain corona virus, to which there was no immunity before, brought humanity to one of the most dramatic consequences for the death of people from infectious diseases in modern history. Today, when society has learned to live with this virus, minimizing losses – because science may never be able to eradicate it – we are learning three main lessons.

First, the credibility of the impressive progress of the biomedical sciences, combined with specialized experience, technocratic approach and scientists, has played the most important role in the successful outcome of the fight against coronavirus. All over the world, pharmaceutical companies, universities and other academic organizations, non-profit research organizations and institutions funded from the international, state budget and private investment funds cooperate effectively. Research and production of vaccines was carried out quickly in order to safely immunize the population and reduce the chance of severe illness. Everywhere, as in Greece, priority was given to scientists in the fight against the pandemic. In general, the scientific community has outdone itself by offering valuable services to hospitals, laboratories and clinics in order to formulate the necessary diagnostic and therapeutic protocols, to conduct research to decipher the function of the pathogenic virus and, above all, next to the sick person.

Second, the successful management of the pandemic has highlighted the importance of public health. In our country, health authorities at the primary, secondary, tertiary levels, including university clinics and laboratories, and especially medical and nursing staff, have acted heroically during the pandemic, despite chronic shortages of staff and underfunding. At the same time, the scientific community participated in decision-making in close cooperation with the state for the day-to-day management of the pandemic. Simultaneously with immediate diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, additional needs are being met, such as psychological support lines and the establishment of long-term (long-term) Covid clinics. First of all, strengthening public health leads to a reduction in inequalities in access to the health care system.

Finally, the reaction at the international level was collective, united and fist-lined in relation to a common “pandemic” adversary. The response to the pandemic would have been slower and would have resulted in more casualties had the international community not recognized the importance of decision-making and, ultimately, the value of solidarity, as the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the interdependence of all of us on an individual and transnational level. With regard to international scientific cooperation, it should be noted that scientific journals are published in open access, which facilitates the exchange of scientific knowledge, which does not happen on issues such as cancer. At the same time, the development of modern technology has reversed the isolation caused by the enormous contagiousness of the pandemic infection and the difficulty of movement, thanks to telemedicine, distance learning and remote meetings, an element that, fortunately, continues to this day.

It is encouraging to record all and even a smaller number of dead and sick in national and international statistics. At the same time, ever-increasing immunization rates worldwide are leading us towards the end of the pandemic as we know it. Vigilance remains to protect the health of vulnerable groups, as demonstrated during the three-year pandemic. However, there is always uncertainty about whether the global community is sufficiently prepared for the potential threat of new viruses. Public awareness of infectious agents, the effectiveness of surveillance systems, the possibility of direct communication at the international level for timely decision-making, the adequacy of appropriate equipment and facilities are a relative priority.

The pandemic that has drastically affected us all teaches us. This once again proves that scientific, technocratic knowledge and experience, combined to achieve a common goal and collective focus, dedication and hard work, bring valuable results when there is a common vision of serving society.

* Ms Theodora Psaltopoulou is a pathologist and professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.