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Comparison of Containing SARS-CoV-2 in Europe and Far East in March–May 2020: Modelling and Experimental Data

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SARS-CoV-2 and Coronacrisis

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Abstract

In this Chapter, we compare effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 containment in Europe (including Russia whose initial governmental response to COVID-19 made it a more European- than Asian-like country) and Far East (Taiwan, Japan, Korea) in March-May 2020 and elaborate recommendations to European and Russian governments regarding a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Surveillance and border-control measures should be strict to at least June 2022. No lockdowns are necessary. On the contrary, we see that total lockdowns were excessive in most countries and did not prove effective. Neither complete border closings are needed, nor disruption of national and international flights. Economies and businesses have already suffered too large pressure and damage because of the first awkward anti-crisis managerial steps in the situation of the pandemic. Instead, very tough border epidemiological control in airports must be implemented with infrared temperature detectors, portable SARS-CoV-2 antibody analysers and ready-for-use observatories for suspected passengers, as well as intensified everyday chemical sanitization of airport facilities. One of the most effective measures against rapid SARS-CoV-2 dissemination in public places including airports, railway and bus stations is augmented air filtration with special antiviral sprays brought to fibre washers. Medical care systems have to have surplus capacities to receive additional COVID-19 patients, if needed. Storage of individual protective units should be controlled and maintained at a germane level to avoid shortages.

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Acknowledgements

The author expresses his gratitude to the following persons who helped him to collect statistical data on COVID-19 tests in different countries: Catharijne van de Berg (The Netherlands), Clara Søndergaard (Denmark); Alma Kjær (Denmark); Luise Strøm (Denmark); Marie Kristiansen (Norway); Sille Lassila (Finland); Matilde Da Costa (Portugal); Ines Rodrigues (Portugal); Aðalborg Ragnarsdóttir (Iceland); Agata Sturrisdóttir (Iceland); Kristina Eriksson (Sweden); Hanna Sjöberg (Sweden); Monica Luzzi (Italy); Giuseppe Franchi (Italy); Carlo Mancini (Italy); Lola Sánchez (Spain); Ana Martínez (Spain); Sofia Ramirez (Spain); Daniel von Braun (Switzerland); Alicja Kamiński (Poland); Lady Cecily Grey (UK); Poppy Moore (UK).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov St., Moscow, 119334, Russia

    Konstantin S. Sharov

  2. Department of Cryoendocrinology, Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Dean of Temple of St Transfiguration in Kharkov, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 23 Pereyaslavskaya St, Kharkiv, 61016, Ukraine

    Fr archpriest Evgeny I. Legach

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of National Academy of Sciences, Kharkov, Ukraine

    Fr archpriest Evgeny I. Legach

  2. Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    Konstantin S. Sharov

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Sharov, K.S., Legach, F.I. (2021). Comparison of Containing SARS-CoV-2 in Europe and Far East in March–May 2020: Modelling and Experimental Data. In: Legach, F.a.E.I., Sharov, K.S. (eds) SARS-CoV-2 and Coronacrisis. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2605-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2605-0_7

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