COVID-19: Faustus & Mephistopheles

ABSTRACT

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been an unprecedented event in recent history, a public health crisis, which has tested humanity as a species. The actions of the scientific professionals have stood out during the pandemic, whose joint efforts identified and began the careful study of its pathophysiology and the means to combat it. During the initial phases, and in the absence of scientific evidence, procedures and recommendations were developed based on plausibility and the desire to offer a therapeutic option and compassionate management. The subsequent course, with multicentre research works, demonstrated the limitation of many previous recommendations, ruling out therapeutic options and confirming the essential actions for the management of this crisis, leaving clear recommendations for future outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics trained healthcare professional, suitable resources, development of protocols based on evidence-based medicine and government strategies in the health services, to change the evolution of the pandemic. © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Medicina Crítica y Cuidado lntensivo