摘要：With 50 million deaths worldwide, the loss of life caused by the influenza pandemic of 1918 far exceeded that in the first world war. Drugs were unavailable, and vaccine was still a dream. A century after, COVID‑19 came as an unexpected crisis for the still unprepared world. The virus continues to spread at a slow burn; intermittent lockdowns are the new normal, and global economy is sinking. Although an estimated 30 million people have been infected worldwide, and 1 million are dead, early projections were much worse. The public health strategies have saved the millions of lives. However, the world needs smart investments now to navigate through the present situation and simultaneously prepare for any similar future threat.
