A/HRC/45/12 Council in its resolution 42/21, including by applying them to the grave situation confronting workers in the COVID-19 pandemic; (g) Strengthen environmental governance to address the destruction of nature as an essential measure to prevent exposure to health hazards, such as further outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, creating effective long-term collaboration between stakeholders, including policymakers and local communities; (h) Recognize the circular economy and sustainable consumption and production as key to reducing the risks of future zoonotic diseases, and urgently undertake efforts to improve resource conservation and the detoxification of economic output; (i) Create permanent structures for rapid responses to infectious diseases, such as tracing and tracking systems, to mitigate and contain the spread; (j) Ensure full compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005) and international human rights standards; (k) Ensure maximum transparency in all matters regarding public health and exposure to hazardous substances, including the COVID-19 virus, for example with respect to decision-making and levels of contagion; (l) Ensure that everyone has access to health care, and scientific progress, as a human right, and also ensure the preparedness of health systems, including for pandemics; (m) Recognize medical professionals and public health experts as human rights defenders, and ensure that their right to freedom of expression is respected and protected, and that effective remedies for violations are duly provided; (n) Enhance international cooperation, including bilateral and multilateral assistance for States in need, and increase all aspects of support for WHO. 98. The Special Rapporteur recommends that businesses: (a) Recognize that the rights to life and health, and all other human rights, take precedence over the privilege of profit-making activities, and that they stop threatening politicians and interfering in public-health decision-making; (b) Support efforts to prevent and minimize exposure and ensure that the right to safe and healthy work is recognized in policies and practices that include, among other things, precautionary measures to protect older workers and other vulnerable groups; (c) Implement the principles on human rights and the protection of workers from exposure to hazardous substances, as encouraged by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 42/21, and ensure that they are applied to the grave situation confronting workers in the COVID-19 pandemic; (d) Redesign consumption patterns and production methods to conserve resources, become free of toxic substances and advance a circular economy, thereby reducing stress on natural habitats, minimizing the risk of the emergence of future zoonoses and reducing the risk of death from pollution and other contributing exposures. 22