Genome sequencing and its use in public health responses to COVID-19

Human history has been shaped by the heavy burden of infectious disease pandemics. Yet, despite bitter lessons learned from history, even those in living memory such as 1918 influenza pandemic and HIV/AIDS epidemic, COVID-19 stands unique sudden, immense health economic impacts to global human population. While costs have great, long-term consequences are still being revealed, urgent need for action also brought forward rapid developments innovations combat better prepare us future outbreaks. One area widespread adoption whole genome sequencing inform public responses. Genome during become key tracking spread SARS-CoV-2 at all scales, a degree that terms genomics, mutations, variants clusters now common vernacular politicians, officials general public. This article provides commentary on genesis evolution sequencing, its critical on-going role response pandemic.