Abstract

The global human population is perhaps at the face of an unprecedented challenge due to the most devastative infection of a new virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition to the discovery of vaccines against the target virus, important research findings have been published. The present paper attempts to explain the reasons behind the deadly nature of Covid-19, its evolutionary history, pathogenic damage to humans and even death. Since the first report of Covid-19 in the 1960s, the emergence of the current pandemic requires more investigations. The use of host cell machinery by the virus for its propagation through respiratory droplets of infected people and frequent alterations of its structure, virulence, and interactions with the human cell are yet to be detailed. The history of pandemics since 430 BC as well as the sudden disappearance of SARS-CoV-1 are important to enhance our preparedness to combat such pandemics in the future. Adoption of some measures could ensure our win in the battle against Covid-19, such as bringing behavioral change among us at an individual level, a societal level, and in relation to governance and policy.

Keywords: Covid-19, History of pandemics, Behavioral response, human coronavirus, governance, policy, cytokine storm