Coronavirus is not a one off. We’re hurtling into a decade of health crises

There is no incentive for research into low probability, catastrophic events such as Covid-19. It will only happen if government is willing to commit and fund it, writes Chris Thomas

Covid-19 has highlighted the fragility of health in this country (PA)

It would be comforting to think of Covid-19 as a once in a lifetime event. We’d curse our bad luck, but broadly look to go back to normal.

Unfortunately, this is a fantasy. Covid-19 is not a one off. Rather, it is part of a trend of growing global health challenges, posing an ever more persistent threat to our lives and our economy. There is no going back to normal.

Covid-19 is a symptom of a world where health security has become incredibly fragile. World Economic Forum analysis shows that the number of countries reporting a “major disease outbreak”, in any given year, has now doubled since 2010. Such acceleration is alarming – and almost mimics the exponential way in which diseases like Covid-19 spread.