Last update:
22-Mar-2022

From April 2009 to January 2010 the world lived under the constant threat of a cataclysmic outbreak of infection caused by a new strain of the influenza type A virus, designated H1N1 2009. Similar, but much more devastating in its global consequences on public health and economy, was the outbreak of COVID-19, triggered by a new Coronavirus detected in China in December 2019. Back in the 17th century, the great strategist Carl von Clausewitz analyzed the tripartite nature of war, as comprising blind natural forces, chance and politics. In an analogous way, our strategy in the war against SARS-CoV-2 and its possible mutations can be depicted as tripartite: The pandemic, as a blind force of nature; chance/probability, in terms of its influence on health services and infrastructures, and on the possible genetic mutations of the virus; politics, as the necessity for decision-making regarding vaccination efficacy and safety. Proceeding to patient-centered provision of medical and preventive services, focused on conclusions derived from social sciences models, we could deploy an integrated strategy against COVID-19. This would combine preventive measures, diagnostic tests and vaccination with a flexible approach to the imposing and relaxing of lockdown, in pursuit of a fine balance between economic reactivation and the protection of public health.

Key words: Η1Ν1, Public health policies, SARS-CoV-2.