The title of the textbook “Controversies in the Pandemic” may mislead readers to assume that the book itself is contentious. However, the intention of the editors and authors is not to incite but rather to explore the multitude of issues that arose during the pandemic, leading to confusion, uncertainty, and fluctuating opinions. Much of the medical literature published during this time resulted in conflicting claims that caused anxiety and skepticism among both medical professionals and the general public.
Experts contributing to this book present information in an impartial and objective manner, allowing readers to consult the provided references and draw their own conclusions based on credible medical sources. The management of patients during the pandemic highlighted the necessity for collaboration across various medical disciplines to address the health crises, especially in the absence of definitive evidence in the medical literature.
Many healthcare workers devised their own solutions, hoping to alleviate the health problems emerging during the pandemic. Some of these solutions were shared in publications aimed at guiding other healthcare professionals. However, many findings could not be replicated, and in some cases, contradictory results were published, further complicating matters.
To provide clarity amid the confusion, the concept of this book was conceived. Now that the pandemic appears to have eased in the public consciousness, the editors have undertaken a swift review of the myriad dimensions and factors involved in addressing this complex, multidimensional health tragedy.
Some chapters of this book are based on groundbreaking papers such as the one entitled “Sialylated Glycan Bindings from SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Blood and Endothelial Cells Govern the Severe Morbidities of COVID-19,” previously published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences (IJMS) by Scheim and coauthors, which shed light on the critical interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and cellular receptors, providing crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying severe COVID-19 complications. Additionally, Patrick Berche, the great French researcher and historian, in his thought-provoking work “Gain of Function and the Origin of COVID-19”, discusses openly the concerns regarding the research aimed at probing enhanced pathogenicity of common viruses. A second contribution by Dr Berche, “The Enigma of the 1889 Russian Flu Pandemic: A Coronavirus?”, delves into the historical context of viral pandemics, raising intriguing questions about the potential presence of coronaviruses in past outbreaks, offering valuable perspectives for understanding the current COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful to Elsevier for allowing us to reprint these classic articles, having first appeared in La Presse Medicale, which have contributed significantly to our understanding of viral pathogenesis and the broader implications for public health.
It is emphasized by the editors and authors that the pandemic was not solely a medical issue, but also a humanitarian tragedy that profoundly impacted societies worldwide. COVID-19 disrupted the very fabric of communities everywhere, affecting every aspect of daily life. We have secured contributions from thought leaders in many countries throughout the world, in particular from India, the second-most populous nation on Earth, and the leader in the production of many medications and vaccines in use throughout the world.