DRUŠTVENO - EKONOMSKE I MEDIJSKE PROTIVREČNOSTI PANDEMIJE C O V I D - 19 SA AKCENTOM NA REPERKUSIJE U DRŽAVAMA ZAPADNOG BALKANA/SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND MEDIA CONTROVERSIES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITH A FOCUS ON THE IMPACTS IN THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

 The current pandemic COVID - 19 is an essential planetary threat with numerous social, economic, media, legal, ethical and other contradictions. Permanent expansion, dramatic escalation, insufficient research and possible appearance of new modifications of this plague are evident. Retrograde trends with catastrophic consequences and the inauguration of emergency measures are present in all spheres of public life. Negative repercussions and lack of cooperation are especially noticeable in the countries of the Western Balkans subregion. Controversies are manifested in international cooperation, world solidarity and the pernicious weaknesses of health systems. The imperative is set in a modified, comprehensive integrated approach to prevention and countering challenges, reconfiguration of the WHO, pragmatic functioning of other global actors and more efficient organization at the national level. The first-class role in curbing the phenomenon of coronavirus, other global epidemics and accidents belongs to science and education with adequate engagement of relevant social actors.