Addressing the relevance of COVID-19 pandemic in nature and human socio-economic fate

Stoch Environ Res Risk Assess. 2022;36(10):3239-3253. doi: 10.1007/s00477-022-02191-5. Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Abstract

COVID-19 or Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) is a pandemic calamity that has locked people in their own houses. The effect of SARS-COV-2 disease has caused a decrease in the economy as businesses, transportation, aviation, and industries have been halted. Many people have died, and many are trying to survive this pandemic. As we all know, the virus of SARS-COV-2 can be transmitted through physical contact, and the government has taken up specific measures like closing up schools and colleges, closing up malls/markets/public places, and imposing lockdown in cities. It is expected that these measures can result in a decreased infection rate. On the one hand, SARS-COV-2 Has halted economic or developmental growth, but on the other hand, our nature i. e. our earth, is being provided with such conditions that it can restore its losses. Air quality has been improved in the lock down time. The emission level of different gases and particulate matters have slowed down in the Covid period. Water bodies have been clean and more transparent and propagate wildlife and fisheries. Due to the SARS-COV-2 lockdown, businesses and industries have halted, impacting the financial needs of many people around the world. The worry about surviving this pandemic and the financial crisis leads them to mental and emotional distress. This review article summarized the emergence of SARS-COV-2 disease and its role on human physical and psychological health. We also described the positive and negative effects of SARS-COV-2 on climate, environmental, and air quality with upcoming challenges for governments and populations around the world.

Keywords: Air pollution; COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2); Climate change; Environment; Lockdown; Physical & mental health.