Panel discussion: Pandemic COVID-19: myths, facts and consequences

The panel discussion on the topic of the global public health challenge "Pandemic COVID-19: myths, facts and consequences" was held today at the University of Montenegro.

Professor of the Medical Faculty of University of Montenegro (UoM) and specialist in epidemiology at the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Prof. Dr. sci med Dragan Laušević, expert associate at the Medical Faculty of UoM and infectologist / clinical pharmacologist at the Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) dr med Brankica Dupanović, immunologist at KCCG dr med Tamara Jovićević and psychiatry specialist at KCCG.dr med Tea Dakić anwered numerous questions about the virus.

The moderator of the forum was prof. Dr. Masha Zdralevic, from the Medical Faculty of UoM.

The key misinformation and consequences, as well as the importance of informing and educating the population about the virus, treatment, prevention and vaccination were topics of discussion. The role of professional and scientific authorities and public trust are important in all this.

Speakers sought to answer the question of how to draw the line between personal rights and freedoms and collective responsibility, and the effectiveness of "booster" vaccines, the best way to assess immunity from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

At the same time, they emphasized the importance of more significant investment in science, consideration of the aspects of the pandemic and the impact on life, especially on mental health, which, as it was stated, will be discussed after the postcovid phase.

This is the second panel discussion organized in accordance with the announced plan of the University of Montenegro to organize discussions on current topics of importance to the University and the society in which it operates, at least once a month during 2022.

The pandemic has demanded and continues to demand a response from public health authorities at all levels. Although it persists, efforts to understand the lessons it has taught us have already begun.

You can watch the course of the discussion at the links below: