A very significant question everyone is anxious about is, when will this pandemic end? Clearly, the when and how remains unsure even to countries with advanced technologies. According to historians, “pandemics typically have two types of endings: the medical, which occurs when the incidence and death rates plummet, and the social, when the epidemic of fear about the disease wanes.” However, we are still far from these theories because everything at this time seems indefinite. Indefinite in the sense that our lives were reset due to this crisis and how things, in a split second, can change our comfort zones into a complete disaster. The world is definitely in a conflagration as of the moment and the real question is, will this ever end?

Beaches, parks, malls, and other places abroad could have been on your bucket list when you planned for this summer holiday. However, nobody anticipated the events that would turn our world upside down. The COVID-19 crisis continues to progress in numbers across the globe, the CDC advises the public to avoid non-essential travels to limit the spread of the disease. Although we may not all be visiting our dream destinations this vacation let's keep in mind that our Health is Wealth.

If you are one of the travelers that was unable to postpone or change your travel itinerary, here are tips from Travel Daily News International’s website that might help to avoid contracting the virus.

1. Test yourself. It is better to get yourself tested to make sure that you are not a carrier when you travel. Anyone who presents mild symptoms of illness and doesn't have proof that they are not infected will not be allowed onboard a flight. Plan ahead for this because in many places testing is not readily available without presenting with symptoms or having suspected contact with someone who has COVID-19.

2. Get medical history. Ensure you have the necessary documents that will signify that you do not have any illness related to COVID-19. You may bring an updated health record from the past two weeks to aid in a smooth routine check.

3. Get travel history. Traveling from one place to another and coming into contact with various people is the most common way to acquire the virus. This is why it is important to show your travel history upon check-in to check to see if you have been to a place that may have an increase of COVID-19 cases in which you need to quarantine.

4. Carry all essentials. Do not forget that proper hygiene will be your armor against the virus when you travel. Bring with you a pair of gloves, alcohol, sanitizer, and face mask. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use sanitizer regularly when you are not wearing gloves and avoid sharing food or drinks with another person. It is prudent to discard gloves after using them once instead of carrying for another use. Place all your devices and documents in polythene bags while passing through security checks. Consider everyone as a potential carrier for you to be extra careful on your journey.

5. Remember the guidelines. Keep in mind the fundamental guidelines issued to safeguard yourself. Make sure you are following the precautionary measures to have a safe and virus-free trip.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar is part of a worldwide pandemic caused by SARS- COV-2 virus. The first case was reported in Qatar on Feb 29, 2020. As of June 6, 2020, the total number of cases reached 67,195. The recovered cases stand at 42,527, with 51 reported deaths. The total number of tests performed in Qatar is 251,391.

On January 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a COVID-19 was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan, Hubei, China, which was reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019.

On March 9, 2020, Qatar announced a closure of all schools and universities until further notice and placed a travel ban on 15 countries: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Thailand.

On March 28, Qatar reported its first death case from COVID-19.

On March 31, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases recorded in Qatar stands at 781.

From April 30, 2020 until now, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases recorded stands at 13,409 and there are 12,027 active cases under treatment with 10 deaths.

On May 31, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases recorded in Qatar stood at 56,910 and there are 26,582 active cases under treatment. So far, 38 people have died from COVID-19 in Qatar. Qatar made wearing face masks mandatory to all upon leaving home.

In addition, Qatar introduced The Ehteraz mobile app and made it compulsory for all citizens to install when leaving home for any reason. The app uses GPS and Bluetooth technology to help track COVID-19 cases, informing users if they come into contact with someone who may have tested positive for the disease.

On June 3, the cabinet decided to allow four people inside a vehicle from Thursday, June 4 and families are exempt.

Qatar compared to world cases

Qatar is witnessing an increase in the number of deaths but Qatar continues to have one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates in the world. Compared to the other countries, the fatality rate is less but with a population of about 2.7 million people, the state has one of the world’s highest per capita number of confirmed cases. Qatar is among the top countries in terms of the number of tests in relation to the population reaching about 20,200 per million people.

The following is the current status of few countries as per June 6, 2020.

DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus: 5 doses, the final dose is given at 4 years of age, then a Td every 10 years thereafter

OPV/IPV (Polio): 4 doses, the final dose is given at 4 years of age

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 2 doses, the first being given at 12-15 months

Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV): 3 dose series (first dose is commonly given at birth)

BCG (TB vaccine) or TB skin test with result within 12 months of admission

It is often explained to parents that due to students coming from so many different parts of the world that we are a bit more hypervigilant with routine vaccine requirements. However, erase the variable of us being an international school with kids from many different places, the fact remains that the vaccinations required by ASD will aid students in remaining healthy not only within the school walls but as they travel to other places and get ready to attend university, many of which also require these vaccines.

Vaccines have been scientifically proven time and time again to help prevent the spread of diseases that at one time or another plagued the world. For example in the United States in 2019 there were 1,282 cases of measles in 31 states. This was the highest number of measles cases since 1992. More than 73% of these cases were traced back to a New York City community where groups of people were not vaccinated. With the decrease of children getting routine vaccinations during the current pandemic we risk being negligent and the reemergence of other diseases. This is highly concerning and highly avoidable.