What you need to know about the COVID-19 pandemic on 15 May – World Economic Forum

1. How COVID-19 is impacting the globe

A new UN report highlighted the mental health threat COVID-19 presents to millions, as it fuels high levels of distress in many countries across the globe.

The isolation, the fear, the uncertainty, the economic turmoil - they all cause or could cause psychological distress, said Devora Kestel, director of the World Health Organizations (WHO) mental health department.

An upsurge in the number and severity of mental illnesses is likely.

Image: UN

3. How the COVID-19 pandemic is fueling the stay-at-home economyLockdowns have sparked a rise in activities that can be done at home, from cooking to gaming. Video streaming, strong for a decade, is also seeing unprecedented growth.

Streaming subscribers around the world (613 million) have surpassed the number of cable subscribers (556 million), according to the Motion Picture Association of America. Additionally, Disney+, saw a 75% rise in subscribers since early February and surpassed 50 million paid subscribers in its first five months.

Though researchers are working around the clock to develop a vaccine to combat coronavirus, a vaccine alone with not eradicate the disease. Huge challenges will still remain to ensure everyone in the world can be protected from infection. These challenges include:

We have a global problem that requires a global solution, says Seth Berkley, CEO of vaccine alliance GAVI. We need the best science in the world. We need the best manufacturing in the world. And obviously we are going to need industry from around the world to engage. If we have anybody left over anywhere as a reservoir of virus, it not only threatens them, but threatens the world.

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Written by

Linda Lacina, Digital Editor, World Economic Forum

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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What you need to know about the COVID-19 pandemic on 15 May - World Economic Forum