A young Thai traditional dancer is back to her stage at the world's famed Erawan Shine with a "New Normal" lifestyle, wearing a mask while keeping social distancing following the state instructions against the spread of Covid-19 in May, and a smile, still. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad

COVID-19: The most defining public health crisis which has defined the most environmental challenges for years to come

The new virus has given people the hard lessons in regard to public health as well as the environment as it has exposed a poor relationship between humans and nature that needs a major overhaul before it is too late

From the first few “mysterious” cases in late December last year in Wuhan City in China, Covid-19 become quickly known worldwide as it spread out and infected a great number of people in many countries in a short period of time. From that day (December 31 as officially declared), the world’s recorded cases (Worldoeters) have stood at 83.06 million so far, with more than 1.81 million deaths.

Amid the public health crisis, the world’s scientists have also learned one hard fact that the poor relationship that humans have with nature could have prompted the outbreak of the virus, especially via their excessive utilization and exploitation of nature such as deforestation, wildlife consumption, and others that could have unleashed it and several others.

They have also learned that the current lifestyle, if diverted to a more climate friendly trend, could help the world avoid the catastrophe from climate change, following positive changes due to the disruption by Covid-19.

The scientists have jointly called for a drastic change of the current lifestyle and economic trend to re-balance the relationship.

While the calls are growing and the scientists are vying for the best solutions to offer to resolve such the imbalance relationship, humans have still been put to the hard test by Covid-19 in almost every corner of the world, including here, Thailand, which was the first country outside China which met with Covid-19.

As being the most defining crisis, which has defined the most environmental challenges, Bangkok Tribune picks Covid-19 as the most critical news issue of the year and invites readers to look back through the hard time we have been through together as well as the lessons learned_ both socially, economically, and environmentally.

Note: Some photos have been on display as part of the Photo Essay Exhibition: Through the Hard Time (@BACC, Dec 22-27), to show human spirit and lessons learned during the hard time of Covid-19 this year.

The City of Bangkok begins social distancing and restrictions on some activities to try to curb the outbreak of the virus, which has exploded from some boxing stadiums and entertainment venues in the city, March 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Ordinary people including a Tuk Tuk driver keep social distancing and wear a mask to protect themselves after the news has broken, March 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Some businesses and activities are declared closed, including night entertainment venues like Pat Pong following the city instructions, March 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The famed boxing stadium, Rajadamnern, is also closed following the city instructions, March 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Social distancing measures are in full force following the state of emergency, which is in effect from March 26 on, March 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Restaurants and cafes are not allowed to be fully opened. They are allowed to serve only take-away or food deliveries, prompting several places to close down temporarily, March 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Social distancing marks are every where in public premises, March 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Thailand Under ‘curfew’ 03.04.2020
The curfew at night is declared from April 3 on, prompting almost all of the roads empty at night, April 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The city’s downtowns including Siam area then go quiet following the curfew imposed, April 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The city’s downtowns including around the Erawan Shine have gone quite quiet as the dusk falls, April 2020.
Life goes on under the curfew, April 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Life goes on under the curfew, April 2020.
Life goes on under the curfew. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The “New Normal” practices begin with no boundaries of any traditions, May 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The “New Normal” practices are introduced in beauty salons to keep customers and service providers safe from Covid-19, May 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The “New Normal” practices begin with social distancing measures in place in restaurants and cafes. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The tracking application is introduced to help track cases as the restrictions are further loosened in public premises, May 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
Last but not least to get back too are boxing stadiums and their fighters. July 2020. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The fighter’s spirit. Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad