[The Typing Baker] After the Pandemic Ends... How Will the COVID World Be Remembered?

The World of Invisible Intruders

"Infectious diseases are now mostly coming to an end."

Hearing this now, when everyone must wear masks and those who don’t get vaccinated cannot even gather in groups of three or more at night, would make anyone scoff. However, this statement was made not a few years ago, but as far back as 1969 by William Stewart, the Director of the U.S. Public Health Service. At the time Stewart made this remark, it was an era filled with arrogance, believing that antibiotics and vaccines had achieved great success against existing infectious diseases and that all epidemics could be conquered. Most viral diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella were effectively reduced through vaccine development.

However, since the 1970s, the emergence of numerous "new viruses" proved this to be an illusion. Starting with the HIV virus causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the Ebola virus, many viruses such as Avian Influenza (AI), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and COVID-19 have been discovered, causing countless casualties.

Nevertheless, the author emphasizes that humanity did not only suffer disasters through these experiences. Through viruses like HIV, humanity became cautious of infectious diseases again and rediscovered immune cells such as T cells, leading to renewed advances in medical science. The recent COVID-19 pandemic also marked the launch of the first messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, establishing a system for faster responses to new virus outbreaks. It also serves as an opportunity to find solutions through various innovations, such as developing "universal antivirals" and "universal vaccines" effective against any virus, to overcome the crisis and prevent recurrence.

So, as we prepare to transition to "With COVID," how can we overcome COVID-19? The author discusses the importance of T cells, which AIDS reminded us of. If "memory immunity" is established through vaccines or previous exposure to other coronaviruses, there is hope that COVID-19 will eventually become like any other common cold.

However, this rapid response also leaves us with another challenge. Many people still say, "I will get vaccinated later when it is safer," due to the perception that the vaccines were developed too quickly. Among 5.8 million unvaccinated adults, only about 9% have applied for additional vaccination, showing persistent distrust in vaccines. Rumors range from claims that vaccination increases appetite or affects male and female physiological functions to absurd conspiracy theories that vaccines implant microchips in the body. In fact, this vaccine hesitancy is not new. Just as there were rumors that the first vaccine developed by Jenner, which used cowpox to prevent smallpox, would turn people into cows, similar myths continue today.

To overcome this, the author stresses that "we are each other's environment." This reminds us that immunity is not an individual issue but a societal one. Just as wearing masks was not only for oneself but for others, vaccines are also necessary for the safety of all of us.

Looking back decades from now, what kind of memory will COVID-19 leave us? It is impossible to know for sure, but one thing is clear: just as many past and present infectious diseases discussed in this book have done, COVID-19 will also form memory immunity in us. This will help society evolve with better social systems and scientific capabilities when the next "Disease X" arrives.

(The World of Invisible Invaders / Written by Shin Ui-cheol / 21st Century Books / 16,000 KRW)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.