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SYMPOSIUM and ROUND TABLE TOPICS

COVID-19 and infectious diseases not only impact humans, but also affect equally the three aspects of sustainability development: (1) human health and society (2) economy and (3) environmental protection.

The multifaceted crisis that each infectious disease causes highlights the indispensable role of (1) Science and Technology, (2) Governance and Management and (3) Education and Civil society for the remedy and mitigation of the multiple effects of COVID-19 and infectious diseases. These three actors are essentially the 3 pillars of FLOGEN Sustainability Framework.

This symposium will address the multidimensional aspects of COVID19 and Infectious diseases by bringing together 2 groups of people: (1) medical researchers to present and discuss clinical, translational, and basic research in infectious diseases, clinical and laboratory-based research, clinical trials, reviews and case reports (2) Public Heath officials and related organizations dealing with successes and failures and efficient use of experiences gained for immediate recovery and long-term safety.

The topics include but will not be limited to:

1) Science and Technology
- Medicine:

COVID19
• Origin of coronavirus and cross-species transmissions
• Coronavirus structure and Mechanisms of action
• Immune system interactions and the "cytokine storm"
• Diagnostic strategies and molecular testing technologies
• Vaccine development and testing
  INFECTIOUS DISEASES
• Epidemiology
• Pathogenesis
• Clinical diagnosis
• Management
• Treatment
• Control

-Healthcare Systems:

• Clinical features of COVID and infectious diseases and stages of infection
• Preparedness of hospitals against infectious health crisis
• Prevalence of coronavirus infectious viruses in healthcare centers
• Telemedicine and digital technologies
• Risk assessment and management of healthcare workers
• Impact on patient care: COVID and non-COVID patients

2) Governance and Management
- Public health policy and management

• History of pandemics - lessons in health management
• Are social distancing and curfews effective?
• Case investigation and contact tracing
• Preparedness for Infectious hazards/pandemics
• Social isolation and equity in healthcare
• Containment and Mitigation strategies
• Digital epidemiological surveillance and monitoring

- Economy and Laws

• Impact on supply chain networks and globalisation
• Business restrictions and consequences on enterprises
• Blockchain technology and circular economy
• Growth rebounds and recovery; global GDP
• Financial and capital markets
• International Law and pandemics
• Emergency legal responses to pandemics

- Environmental Impact

• Carbon and energy-intensive sectors
• Waste management including medical waste disposal management
• Atmospheric pollution and respiratory diseases
• Impact on demand and supply of agricultural products and natural resources

3) Education
- School closures and transition to digital learning
- Impact on high education institutions and research centers
- Remote learning: equity, quality and student performance
- Future of education post-COVID

A round table discussion open to everyone interested will be organized at a specific date and time during the symposium. It will be a platform for high level representatives from various industries, technologies, and academic disciplines to freely discuss and debate all topics of this symposium, with particular focus on "The coronavirus pandemic's successes and failures" examined from different perspectives.