Having pandemics is a normal thing the world goes through. For example, SARS-CoV is a coronavirus that infected many people in 2003. Now, SARS-CoV-2, another type of coronavirus, is causing a lot of deaths in the year 2020. With all of these pandemics happening, what is used to prevent this, and is it possible to defeat a future virus?
One way that we can do to prepare for the next pandemic is to have the supplies we need ready. Right now, there is a big shortage of masks, hospital gowns, and basic hygiene things. We could stock up on these things in the next few years so that there won’t be a shortage next time.
Another thing that is is being investigated right now is having robots to clean and disinfect places so that it’s safe for humans. There is already a robot called Stevie who helps elderly people feel less lonely in retirement homes or other places. Having an infection is one of the biggest threat to older people so scientists thought about putting a UV light device on Stevie. UV light can basically cut up things at a molecular level that kills bacteria. However, it didn’t work so they put it on a different robot called Violet.
This can be investigated more in the future so that these robots can help sterilize hospitals, caretaker homes, etc. By doing this, a virus could be controlled and pandemics can end faster.