As the entire world comes to grips with the threat of the new coronavirus -- with the latest death toll surpassing 250 -- it is integral for us in Bangladesh to remain on high alert.
To that end, there have been some positive signs on how we are handling the situation; already, a plane was sent to bring back the Bangladeshis who were in Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province where the virus broke out.
It is now up to our health department to ensure that these people receive the right treatment, and that they do not pose a threat to the rest of the country.
Already, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it to be a global health emergency, and this spread of the coronavirus could potentially become catastrophic if everyone does not come together to fight it.
For Bangladesh, it starts with the need to carry out effective screening at our airports for potential people carrying the virus.
However, it is unfortunate that our screening efforts at the airport have been hindered by a lack of personnel, staff, and proper equipment.
This is a dangerous precedent -- prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dealing with health emergencies, and the government and all relevant authorities concerned must address this lacking at the airport with priority.
Additionally, the people of the country must also be vigilant, and practice healthy habits such as wearing a protective mask and washing their hands at regular intervals.
Averting any health crisis requires a collective effort.
