In July we persevered in adapting to a normality that is written every day, always new and different. And in a new paradigm of interpersonal relationships, we relearn to trust each other, while the world opens and revives gradually, but at different paces.
Over here, we are witnessing the opening of borders, although away from the best opportunities to rebuild Portuguese tourism in difficult pandemic times, while many Portuguese have allowed themselves to invade public spaces, seeking to enjoy the summer, despite the misfortune that has befallen more of a dozen parishes, which are forced to take a step back from the end of lockdown, due to the worrying epidemiological situation in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region.
Also in neighbouring Spain, several regions adopted measures to lockdown again, and the world, in general, is faced with the resurgence of new cases of infection by Covid-19.
The economic crisis and the agreement for the European recovery fund exhausted the national press in covering the pandemic, which, in July, reached a record of daily cases of infection worldwide (more than 230 thousand in one day, advanced the WHO), and the need to adjust other sectors, such as Justice, became even more evident in the face of an unprecedented scenario in recent decades.
In July, the discussion on the use of the mask was back, as it became mandatory in civil construction (one of the sectors that remained active since the beginning of the pandemic), and it was also imposed in outdoor spaces, a measure decreed by several regions in Spain.
Between the uncertainty of the moment we live in and communication, often incongruous and sparse in fundamentals, it is a fact that in exceptional times, the Law (which was fully busy with the "Espírito Santo Universe" case) was called to intervene. And in July there was the first arrest for the crime of disobedience and spread of disease, resulting from the failure to comply with the Covid-19's containment measures. In addition, this month was conducive to interventions by the authorities to disperse the various gatherings that made the news in the country.
"Who knows/When luck is good or bad/Who knows/What tomorrow will bring". Timeless words of Portuguese fado, and that fit the summer of calamity, sung by the illustrious Amália Rodrigues, celebrated this July, when the centenary of one of the most notable fado singers and ambassadors of our culture abroad was celebrated.
In July, Responsibility was called for, especially in a month marked by new outbreaks and the return to more restrictive measures across the globe, in a disparity of behaviours that access to information alone cannot change.
What did not change was our commitment to the entire FMUL community and, therefore, we remained attentive and committed, proud of the teams and the work that has been carried out by everyone until then. An example of this is our Library, which we highlighted at the start of another month of intense activity, sharing the story of Susana Henriques, Teams’ Coordinator at the FMUL Library, in which we understand her passion for the profession and the importance of Libraries in Higher Education.
We discussed the current priorities of national oncology, in a debate with Professor Luís Costa on the effects of the pandemic in this medical specialty, and looked at the remote consultations with Professor João Eurico da Fonseca, responsible for the CHULN Rheumatology Service (Northern Lisbon University Centre).
We examined the challenges facing Heart Surgery in current times with Professor Fausto Pinto, and we shared the work of a team that is committed to the implementation of a medicine of increasing quality and innovation, in the latest issue of the journal Heart and Vessels.
We took another step forward in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, with the approval of the drug that resulted from the research conducted by Professor Joaquim Ferreira, this time by the regulatory authorities of Japan.
We also recalled the “Creation of GAPIC” on the occasion of its 31st anniversary, in an interview with Professor Leonor Parreira, who coordinated the Office for Support to Scientific Research at FMUL, between 1997 and 2002.
And because knowledge and information are essential to respond to a situation as challenging and uncertain as the one we face today, we reiterate the importance of further strengthening the link between Science and Politics, in a careful analysis of the covid-19 outbreak in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, taking into account the process that dictated the return to the new normality in the context of a pandemic.
We also warned of the risks of gatherings and focused on defensive behaviours, which should be a concern for everyone at this stage when, as we have noted, there is still much to discover about the new coronavirus, despite the relentless effort to consolidate all knowledge acquired so far.
For this reason, we called for the strengthening of public health teams and for more coherent and effective communication on the part of government officials, with a view to pointing out the challenges that we face in the near future, when seasonal flu and SARS-Cov-2 will live together for the first time next fall and winter, as Professor Ricardo Mexia stressed.
And we set out again in defense of respiratory etiquette, physical distance and the widespread use of masks, reinforcing that they are essential and urgent measures to fight the pandemic, in a careful analysis by Professor Ruy Ribeiro.
Group immunity also plays a major role in the fight against the pandemic, and it has become an object of study in the scientific community. Our Professors Ana Espada de Sousa and Luís Graça spoke about it, sharing the evidence of the studies carried out to date.
We studied the impact of age on the production of protective antibodies to covid-19 and explored the possibility of predictive factors in patients with a more severe or mild disease.
We marked World Brain Day and World Hepatitis Day, proceeding towards new scientific discoveries, going beyond the limits circumscribed by the pandemic with the research of the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in patients with HIV infection.
We released the results of the ULisboa’s testing campaign, an action coordinated by FMUL that started in May, showing that 98.5% of the individuals analyzed did not come into contact with the new coronavirus.
We recognize that it is not time to let our guard down. It is time to have a pedagogical attitude with the population, as uncertainty goes hand in hand with the setbacks in this constant challenge that has taken the world by storm.
We therefore demand reflection, planning and, above all, timely action and we also call for greater investment in Science, the cradle of discovery and the principle of Humanity's innovation and progress.
July was also the time to take a look behind the scenes and examine some protagonists of Mentoring 2.0, and know the first reactions to the National Access Test for choosing the medical specialty.
We also closely examined the clinical experience with antiretrovirals and looked at the research projects highlighted by the decisive importance in the treatment of covid-19.
We talked about Freedom in a time of pandemic, a global health crisis that affected a tiny percentage of asymptomatic pregnant women, according to data from a study by the CHULN Obstetrics Service.
In an objective and responsible manner, we renewed our commitment to the teaching of medicine, which does not lack vacancies to guarantee excellence, and we intervene in the public discussion about the reality of medical education in Portugal.
The WHO is certain that "there will be no return to the 'old normal' in the near future", but it points to a path towards a more favourable situation in the panorama of the global crisis that we all face today. This path, regardless of the epidemic curve that each country is experiencing, involves “taking decisive action”. And it is never too late to act.
“What we need is to be strong/To be strong and not to be afraid”, Amália Rodrigues sings to us, and so we move forward, with our attention focused on the future, outlining strategies and anticipating obstacles, at the same time that we open space for new ideas and projects, preparing the best yet to come. Because, above all and as always, advancement is the priority, establishing new goals to consolidate the top place that FMUL occupies in Medical Education and Science in Portugal.
Sofia Tavares
Editorial Team
