On 18 March, a discussion about this new epidemic that is plaguing the world was broadcast live from the headquarters of the Medical Association, moderated by Marina Caldas, director of FDC Consulting.
Francisco Antunes, Jubilee Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Filipe Froes, pulmonologist, and António Diniz, infection specialist and coordinator of the CHULN immunodeficiency unit were present.
Everyone agreed that the best attack on this pandemic is prevention - avoiding contact, washing hands well and frequently and respecting the rules of respiratory etiquette.
Professor Francisco Antunes recalled that this is the 3rd epidemic caused by a virus of this kind. They are viruses that adapt to human transmission and then evolve towards a process of mutation. Infection specialists expected it to happen, but never with this dimension.
According to the Professor, there are 7 types of coronavirus that infect humans, of which 4 have been circulating among us for hundreds of years.
For António Diniz, there is still no specific treatment and although there is news of a possible vaccine, between the beginning and the end of the trials, serial production and subsequent distribution there is still a long time to go.
In the words of Filipe Froes, "it is sometimes necessary for a smaller living being to appear in order to demonstrate our fragility". "Sometimes we are prepared for nuclear wars...". He argued that after this is over, we should be better prepared for the next ones, in terms of coordination of action. The uneasiness that arises from lack of coordination between countries leads to social alarmism. He also stated that the European Union cannot be dependent on the production of drugs (and individual protection equipment) made outside the European area.
In addition to this video conference, the opinions of the chairpersons of the medical and pharmacists’ associations, Miguel Guimarães and Ana Paula Martins, respectively, were also heard.
If you have not had the opportunity to attend this debate you can do so now and here