Confronting antimicrobial resistance beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 US election

Abstract

Globally, the USA has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, 1 and still needs to simultaneously respond to another looming potential pandemic. The rise in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections that are undetected, undiagnosed, and increasingly untreatable threatens the health of people in the USA and globally. In 2020 and beyond, we cannot afford to ignore antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Bacterial infections unsuccessfully treated due to AMR claim at least 700 000 lives per year worldwide and are Confronting antimicrobial resistance beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 US election These emergencies arise in the context of the larger global climate emergency. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the window for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid catastrophic climate change is rapidly closing. 22 Similarly, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services warns that there is only a short time to act on threats to biodiversity. 23 Continued reliance on fossil fuels, destruction of ecosystems, dissemination of persistent toxic chemicals, and other environmental depredations-many of them permitted, if not promoted, during the Trump presidency-are incon sistent with a healthy future for humanity. The alternative is a transition to ways of living that protect both natural systems and the health of current and future generations. This path requires new approaches to generating energy, producing and consuming food, chemicals, and other manufactured goods, travelling, and designing and building cities. The vast public investments some governments are making during the COVID-19 pandemic could spur this transition, 24 and US leadership could be catalytic. The outcome of the US election will have far-reaching consequences for planetary health.

The silent pandemic: Emergent antibiotic resistances following the global response to SARS-CoV-2

“…In summary, the current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has brought society to a standstill and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. The need for disinfection strategies and treatments for deadly infections cannot be understated (Hardie, 2020;Hsu, 2020;Strathdee et al, 2020). Importantly, though, both the disinfection and therapeutic strategies used to combat the spread and severity of COVID-19 are anticipated to exacerbate another global crisis: antimicrobial resistance.…”

Public KAP towards COVID-19 and Antibiotics Resistance: A Malaysian Survey of Knowledge and Awareness

“…Similarly, previous studies reported that majority of the population believed viral infection could be cured by taking antibiotics [ 22 , 23 ]. The poor antibiotics-related knowledge among our respondents suggests increased risk of antibiotics misuse, which may further exacerbate global antibiotics resistance [ 28 , 29 ].…”

How the Field of Infectious Diseases Can Leverage Digital Strategy and Social Media Use During a Pandemic

“…Another example of real-time, postpublication peer review comes from the description of Dr. Elisabeth Bik [ 21 ] regarding the rapid publication of Gautret [ 22 ] et al describing the role of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19. Another commonly cited benefit of social media includes flattening of healthcare hierarchies, fostering collaborations between institutions and among individuals of all stages of training, which is particularly relevant in a year when in-person meetings have been curtailed [ 23 , 24 ]. This is especially true for trainees and young faculty who may be parents of young children who face time, financial, and other barriers to traditional networking opportunities.…”