【医師　英語エッセイ】THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PEDIATRICIANS ANDOUR LIVES AND ON THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD

 In April 2020, modern Japan's first-ever state of emergency was declared in response to a sudden increase in novel coronavirus cases. Although the Japanese people are generally considered optimistic, we are now in a world where it's not easy to meet our acquaintances and friends, and even our parents or siblings due to the avoidance of 3Cs (Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact settings), observance of social distancing, etc.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a problem that involves not only Japan but also the whole world. That is why it necessary for all countries of the world to work together to address virus problems, sharing accurate knowledge and information. Since there still are some countries where vaccines and other supplies are insufficient, the spread of infections cannot be suppressed, resulting in the spread of new variants of the virus. Top priority should go toward preventing a further spread of infections as quickly as possible.
In such circumstances, there are changes in people's behaviors. Up until the COVID pandemic, Japanese people used to visit medical facilities without hesitation when they felt ill, physically or mentally. However, people now hesitate to visit medical facilities thinking that meeting other people is problematic from the idea of social distancing or 3Cs. Instead, they try telemedicine services, transmit the prescription to a pharmacy by fax or telephone, and receive the medication by mail or through home delivery. I had been expecting that such convenient methods would be realized in not too distant future. Ironically, it has come true so soon owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. It appears as if much of human progress like technological innovation has evolved from man's fear or desire for security.
For such pediatricians who handle and treat many infection cases as myself, COVID-19 means income drops. People now refrain from seeing doctors for minor reasons. Pediatricians in particular, whose main business has been to handle infection cases, practically have no client to see now. The reasons are considered to be the decrease in infection cases because of people's careful infection measures and people's fear of COVID-19 infection.