Even in Quarantine, Time is Gold
By now, everyone knows how the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic imposed itself on our planet a few months ago. Tens of thousands of people have died in a short period. Each country closed its borders in an attempt to keep out this invisible enemy. Everyone had to go into ‘quarantine’ at home, except those with an utmost necessity and with permission.
We thank God that our wise leadership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has managed to surround this horrific new disease, thanks to science and technology, the right vision and firm management of our leaders. This fact is clear especially with the small numbers of victims and the dead compared to the high numbers in Europe and the United States of America (USA).
However, when the government imposed quarantine on everyone, most people suddenly found themselves as captives between four walls for long weeks, something the youths were not accustomed to. From this point, we feel the importance of knowledge and the necessity of its promotion from childhood. This is a passion that will allow those who were forced by circumstances to stay at their homes to make the best investment of their time. In this way, no one will feel bored and depressed by staying at home for long periods of time.
It is fortunate that knowledge at this time can be easily obtained through various media. The paper books, the historical depositories of knowledge, are in the home library, and if they are not, there is the Internet and its millions of e-books. There are also great websites that provide different kinds of knowledge. What is important is that every one of us should seek to allocate sufficient time for knowledge by any of the available means in this difficult time of isolation.
Likewise, any wise person can invest their time in practicing a useful hobby or learning something, such as drawing, painting, playing an instrument, writing poetry or a story, or learning a new language. What is important is not to make the days flee from your hands without benefit. As the saying goes, time is gold.
In this issue, we learn about the history of epidemics, how they ended, and the great damage that was occasioned to humankind before the discovery of effective medicines. We also try to forecast the future of epidemics and how to prepare for them, while focusing on the importance of scientific research and medical knowledge in eliminating Covid-19 and new epidemics we may face, God forbid, in the future.
We also try to forecast the future of epidemics and how to prepare for them, while focusing on the importance of scientific research and medical knowledge in eliminating Covid-19 and new epidemics we may face, God forbid, in the future.
In objective examination, we also monitored the experience of distance education in the UAE after the closure of schools due to this deadly virus, and its positive results and how to deal with the emerging challenges in the future.
We also have not forgotten in this issue to take a quick look at the importance of verifying information and advice on social media, and taking it from its reliable sources.
The surprise is that the Covid-19 pandemic has proved that we, in the UAE, are on the right path and that the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation is a great example of the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance knowledge and encourage innovation through the various digital initiatives that we launched to consolidate ideas related to the importance of science and knowledge in our lives to stay at the forefront of countries that work to advance and make their people happy.
