COVID-19 is hurting us more than just being a public health crisis due to the following problems:  Population growth, especially in the cities. The rise of the global middle class, which brings about mobility and travel, and interconnectivity. The phenomenon of global value chains. Anti-globalization tendencies, especially as manifested in the case of trade wars. Problems of governance regarding political regimes and failed states. The phenomenon of fake news. Anti-science attitudes and denia The most vulnerable populations In this episode, I'll go into why each of these factors contributes to problems we are facing today because of COVID-19, what's being done to solve these problems, and what opportunities are arising for you and me to build solutions to these problems.