These failings have been particularly acute in Mount Lebanon, where COVID-19 has exposed gross deficiencies in health care services at a time when they are most needed.

Although the health care system is overwhelmed across the country, with medical workers and physicians fatigued beyond human endurance and hospitals already at capacity, the situation in Mount Lebanon has been more strained. Cases have been more prevalent in the governorate, which is in dire need of more health care facilities and greater coordination with municipalities in order to address a crisis of this scale.

In parallel, authorities in Mount Lebanon must ramp up enforcement of social-distancing measures. All gatherings must be prevented before they get a chance to cause damage, and unnecessary excursions must be stamped out.

Coronavirus has proved to be a formidable threat, but the only way to bring it to heel is for all of Lebanon to demonstrate the same fortitude and efficacy in the battle against it, As such, the health care sector in Mount Lebanon needs to improve its strategy and increase its capabilities to the same level as the rest of the country.

Moreover, the absolute importance of the vaccination drive, which Lebanon just started, must be impressed upon all residents, who need to understand that attaining herd immunity through the jab is the only way for life to return to normal, and to protect themselves and their loved ones from infection, and potentially death.

Finally, coronavirus does not distinguish between Lebanese citizens and those who are guests in the country, and our government is duty bound to safeguard the health of everyone residing in the country. Medical care must be afforded to all residents, whether Lebanese, Syrians, Palestinians or any other nationality without discrimination, as must vaccination efforts, if they are to be effective.