The Origin Of The Pandemic:

The corona virus outbreak came to light on December 31, 2019 when China informed the World Health Organization of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of an unknown cause in Wuhan City in Hubei Province. Subsequently the disease spread to more Provinces in China, and to the rest of the world. The WHO has now declared it a pandemic. The virus has been named SARS-CoV-2 and the disease is now called COVID-19.Coronaviruses have enveloped virions (virus particles) that measure approximately 120 nm (1 nm = 10−9 metre) in diameter. Club-shaped glycoprotein spikes in the envelope give the viruses a crown like, or coronal, appearance. The nucleocapsid, made up of a protein shell known as a capsid and containing the viral nucleic acids, is helical or tubular. The coronavirus genome consists of a single strand of positive-sense RNA (ribonucleic acid).

Coronavirus And The Nature:

COVID-19 pandemic has made the globe to respect and preserve the nature in an eco-friendly manner. First human trial of Covid-19 vaccine finds it is safe and induces rapid immune response. Placentas from COVID-19 positive pregnant women show injury indicating abnormal blood flow between mothers and babies. DNA vaccine known as INO-4800 shows promising results in treating COVID-19 in animal models.COVID-19 infections surpass 7 million cases worldwide and over 4,00,000 deaths. New research suggests that DNA and RNA co-existed before the emergence of life on Earth. People with blood type ) are less likely to test Positive for COVID-19,large study shows. Wearing facemasks in Public is needed to prevent the second wave of COVID-19, new research shows. An anti-inflammatory drug called dexamethasone, has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the U.k.

Deteriorating Effect Of Coronavirus:

Coronavirus can attack insulin- producing cells in the Pancreas which triggers type 1 Diabetes in healthy people, new research shows. COVID-19 mRNA vaccine called BNT 16261 generates antibodies against coronavirus in healthy volunteers. Coronavirus DNA vaccine, INO -4800 shows Positive results in Phase 1 human trials generating neutralizing antibodies and T-cells responses. Doctors report an increase in delirium , rare brain inflammation and stroke linked to COVID-19.Scientists have developed a new blood test that detects Positive COVID-19 result in 20 minutes. Moderna’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine induced robust’ immune response. Seaweed extract outperforms Remdesivir in blocking the Coronavirus infection in mice, proving that it could be more potent than intramuscular injection.

Vaccination- Stages And Phrases:

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine shows positive results in Phase 1 trial, producing high level of antibodies without any dangerous side effects. Mouthwashes could reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission and viral load over the short term, new study reveals. Newly developed nasal vaccine prevents COVID-19 infection in mice, proving that it could be more potent than intramuscular injection. Russian COVID-19 vaccine shows signs of immune response according to a new study Published in the medical Journal, “ The Lancet”. Face Shields and masks with exhalation values are not effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission, new study shows. Oxford University resumes it’s COVID -19 vaccine trials after a short pause due to a reported side effect in a participant.

• Chinese Vaccine – Corona Vac
• British Vaccine – AZD1222
• American Vaccine – mRNA -1273
• German Vaccine – BNT162
• Russian Vaccine – Sputnik V
• Indian Vaccine – COVAXIN

Researchers isolated the smallest biological molecule to date that completely and Specifically neutralizes the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Fans of horror films showed more psychological resilience during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, new study shows. Trained dogs deployed at Helsinki airport can detect SARS-CoV2 with nearly 100% accuracy. Birds in San Francisco started singing differently during the COVID-19 lockdown ,new study reveals.

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine appears to work equally in Older People as it does in younger adults, producing similar levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of medicine. A group of genes inherited from Neanderthals may be responsible for some severe COVID-19 cases, new research reveals. People who survive serious COVID-19 have long-lasting immune responses against SARs-CoV(2) according to a new study led by Harvard Medical School researchers. These antibodies protect them against reinfection for a few months. SARS-Co V 2 can survive for up to 9 hours on human skin and can be completely inactivated within 15 seconds by ethanol.

Emergence Of Strains Of Coronavirus:

New Strain of Coronavirus called SARS-CoV has the potential to infect humans. It has been discovered in swine herds throughout China. People with blood type O may have a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and reduced likelihood of severe outcomes, study shows. After infection it takes 6 hours for SARs-CoV -2 to reach its full infectivity and 60 hours to begin destroying lung tissues, study shows. People with down syndrome are 10 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without study finds. Testing sewage provides an early warning of COVID-19 out breaks detecting community spread 5 days before hospital admissions rise. A tissue in the human eye, the cornea appears to be resistant to coronavirus infection in lab experiments study shows. More than 200 cases of coronavirus have been linked to sick minks on furfarms in Denmark , new data reveal.

Competitive Growth Of Pharmaceutical Industries:

COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech shows 90% efficacy in preventing Coronavirus infections, phase 3 trials show. Moderna and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are around 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections, according to new data. Oxford Vaccine induces strong immune responses in older adults aged 56-59 and over 70 similar to those seen in participants aged 18-55.COVID -19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70 % of the Public wore face masks consistently, according to a new study. A baby was born with Protective antibodies after mom had COVID-19 during Pregnancy.

The U.S Food and drug administration announced Pfizer Vaccine is safe and Protective. The FDA grants emergency use authorization for Pfizer /Bio N Tech COVID-19 vaccine. Millions of doses are scheduled to be produced in the later period. More than 80% of COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Spain had a vitamin D deficiency, according to recent study.

Countries Fixture Towards Vaccination:

Vitamin D intake can lower the risk of pneumonia by decreasing the amount of inflammatory cytokines that cause a burden to your immune system. The FDA approves Pfizer/BioNTech and moderna COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use , mass vaccination begins in the United States. U.V –LED lights that kill Coronavirus in seconds can be installed in air-conditioning, vacuum and water systems study shows. Germany, France ,Spain ,Sweden ,Lebanon and Japan confirm first cases of the new Coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 Which was first identified in the U.K .Meanwhile a new potentially more infectious variant of the novel Coronavirus dubbed as 501.V2 has been traced to South Africa.Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Canada and Lebanon report their first cases of the U.K. Coronavirus variant B117a.

More than 10.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in 29 countries have been administered so far.

• 4.5 million doses in China
• 3.17 million doses in the United States
• 944,539 doses in the U.K
• 800,000 in Israel
• 4,40000 doses in Russia
• 131626 doses in Germany
• 95205 doses in Canada
• 57317 doses in Bahrain
• 36300 doses in Poland
• 24998 doses in Mexico
• 23895 doses in Denmark
• 14813 doses in Italy

India approves Oxford-AstraZeneca and locally made COVID-19 Vaccines and China approves its first domestic COVID-19 Vaccine for public use. Over 15 million people have received the COVID-19 vaccine so far. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine appears to neutralize a key mutation of Coronavirus variants found in the U.K and South Africa , new study shows. New Portable ,Ultrasensitive, Smartphone based Saliva CRISPR test detects COVID-19 within 15 minute without the need for lab equipment.

More than 24 million COVID-19 doses in 41 Countries have been administered so far

• 9000000 in China
• 7725000 in the United States
• 1692000 in Israel
• 1488947 in the United Kingdom
• 1020349 in the United Arab Emirates
• 800000 in Russia
• 583050 in Italy
• 532878 in Germany
• 294280 in Canada
• 277976 in Spain
• 198787 in Poland
• 130000 in Saudi Arabia
• 112427 in Denmark
• 107542 in Argentina
• 102301in Romania
• 84157 in Bahrain
• 80000 in France
• 70000 in Portugal

COVID-19 patients have distinct gut microbiome compared to people without the disease which may influence their immune response to the Virus. The Coronavirus needs cholesterol to invade cells from mega cells. Without its , it cannot sneak past a cell’s protective barrier study shows. Over 94.4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in 62 countries have been administered so far with nearly 4.47 million doses per day, data show.

Protective antibodies against COVID-19 pass from moms to babies during pregnancy, new study shows. Scientists uncover a potential anti-viral treatment for COVID -19. The drug called thapsigargin can protect against different virus types. Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is 91.6% effective at preventing Symptomatic COVID-19 according to interim trail results published in “ The Lancet”.

New tiny antibody can neutralize the Coronavirus. It could lower the chances of severe infection and be administered through nasal spray. Double- masking with surgical and cloth masks reduces COVID-19 exposure up to 96% according to a new report published by the CDC. Study finds Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 85% effective after the first shot, providing some evidence that the Second dose could be delayed.

The U.K approves the world’s first study to infect healthy ,young volunteers with the Coronavirus to test new treatments against COVID-19. The FDA approves Johnson & Johnson’s single shot COVID-19 Vaccine. It’s the third vaccine to be approved in the U.S. Over 236 million people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 across 103 countries. The average global vaccination rate is 6.67 million shots a day.

Disposable face masks could be recycled to make roads study shows. Creating 1 km (0.6 mi) of a 2-lane road would use up to 3 million masks. Nearly 300 million people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 across 111 countries. The average global vaccination rate is 7.65 million shots a day.COVID-19 vaccines can get us to herd immunity despite the variants Harvard Immunologists say.

Nearly 354 million people have been vaccinated against COVID -19 across 121 countries .The average global vaccination rate is 9.14 million shots a day. Moderna begins attesting its COVID-19 vaccine on babies and young children.6750 healthy pediatric participants are expected to enroll in phase 2/3.The Coronavirus outbreak came to light on December 31,2019 when China informed the World Health Organization of a cluster of cases of Pneumonia of an unknown cause in Wuhan city in Hubei Province. Subsequently the disease spread to more provinces in China and to the rest of the world. The WHO has now declared it a pandemic. The virus has been named SARS-CoV 2 and the disease is now called COVID-19.

Challenges Faced By The Legal Industries World Wide:

The globe is witnessing different Scenarios after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Firstly, the legal sector will be increasingly dominated by technology. The Pandemic created new needs and Challenges

• There is no Possibility to work in a Physical Space by the legal Professionals.
• Addressing the influx of work sparked by broken supply chains, frustrated Contracts, a wave of Resulting litigation.
• Increase in the use of Information technology techniques by law firms and legal departments.
• Rushing legal Organizations to explore options.

Trending Legal Techniques in technology during the pandemic era are as follows:

• Technology adoption will become the norm
• Successful Organizations will be more targeted in the usage of technology.
• Gearing the use of technology towards what drives value for the Client or internal Stakeholders.
• Artificial Intelligence will begin to be used for case prediction.
• Technology will enable rapid Scaling.

All these developments in the technology provides space for the Progressive growth of legal industry in a flexible manner in the Post-Covid world.

Commercial Contracts:

With COVID-19 disrupting supply chains throughout the world, enforcement of Contracts and the applicability of force majeure Provisions were critical topics for many clients from the start of the pandemic.

Real Estate And Constructions:

The Pandemic created severe disruptions to the Construction and real-estate industries, with government mandates forcing halts to Projects and waivers for Others as well as a multitude of issues related to Supply chain, employee Safety, Construction disputes, defaults and workouts in loan documents, leases and Other Contracts and a host of other Issues.

Consumer Financial Services:

The Pandemic has had on outsized impact on Consumer credit and the businesses that Provide Consumer financial Services, including ever-changing rules and regulations related to evictions and fore closures. The economic impact of the pandemic as a whole particularly the Consumer finance sector, will continue for the foreseeable future.

Corporate Governance:

Corporate Governance, disclosure Obligations ,material adverse-effect Provisions in transaction documents, government regulations , compliance, and government relief Program participation were key COVID-19 related Corporate issues throughout the Pandemic.

Cyber Security and Privacy:

Cyber Security and data Privacy challenges Presented by remote working, increased number of cyber threats and compliance with privacy protection throughout the Pandemic.

Energy and Environment:

Government regulatory actions assisting the essential energy sector, while also clarifying environmental Compliance Obligations across industry sectors, were significant areas of interest to clients during the Pandemic.

Health Care and Life Sciences:

Health case Providers and Life sciences Companies have been on the front lines fighting the pandemic from the start. From liability immunity measures to the expansion of telemedicine, businesses and organizations in the health care and life sciences sector face a daunting array of legal issues.

Insurane:

Insurance coverage Issues and related disputes were critical to many clients.

Government Relief Programs:

Relief Programs ,protection Programs, Lending Programs and other aspects of the Coronavirus Aid ,Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act were gaining importance in this Pandemic age.

Banking and Finance:

Financial Services providers faced a dizzying array of regulatory and legislative requirements as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Bankruptcy and Restructuring:

The Pandemic caused a massive wave of financial distress to businesses large and small, which will likely consume bankruptcy courts for years to come.

Intellectual Property:

IP issues Concentrated on government measures addressing delays in patent, trademark, Copyright applications as well as issues involving the Open COVID pledge and Protecting IP during the Pandemic.

Labor and Employment/Employee Benefits:

Issues associated with moving to remote work and returning to work, helping employees cope with the sudden changes brought by the pandemic and compliance with changing government policies and guidance dominated employer’s concerns throughout the pandemic. Issues related to Vaccines, Closing/re-opening facilities, navigating remote working and adapted Operations,COVID-19 related impacts on employee benefits plans and executive compensation will remain critical concerns in 2021.

Litigation:

Liability limits, disputes over failed business transactions, securities fraud and shareholder claims ,and how to hold trials, arbitrations and depositions during a global pandemic all exemplified key issues towards the clients.

Reopening –Return to Work:

Mandatory closures also were a important topic early in the Pandemic and are again as the Virus resurges across the country. As Vaccine distribution begins across the Country , employers ,health care facilities ,frontline workers ,schools and others will grapple with a wide range of legal issues. COVID -19 Task force continuously update as recovery measures from the Pandemic Continues. Advising on facility, employment benefits, and other issues continuously changing and challenging businesses.

Tax:

COVID- related tax issues include tax aspects of the CARES Act. Other government responses to the Pandemic , tax strategies in a time of lower valuations and estate Planning-issues.

White –Collar Litigations And Investigations:

Price-gouging, fraud, insider-trading, anti-trust, securities enforcement and a host of other white-collar litigation and investigation issues increased throughout the Pandemic. In addition to an increase in civil litigation alleging fraud and other white –collar claims associated with the pandemic. Criminal investigations and enforcement actions in several areas including securities/financial fraud, antitrust, health care and life sciences ,environmental issues!!! Written By: A. Jonah Elisa Shiny