Politics of disasters and other polemics of pandemics

“We are at war” said a European leader, a few days ago. He was perfectly right. We are at war against an invisible killer running around, wild – and very present in our neighborhoods.  But – everyone agrees, no comparison can be possibly drawn between COVID 19 and other epidemics and viral pandemics known in the history of humanity. The Plague. Cholera. Typhoid. Tuberculosis. Even – HIV. And most recently – Ebola. God knowns how many times we – as a “rational specie”, have had to question ourselves since ancient times: “now, what’s next?” Don’t bother about the notorious narrations transmitted over generations by means of holy books compiled by organized religions, and the notion of God’s punishment because of human sins, which would require “repentance” for salvation etc. All that is good stuff, indeed. But – hello, look here, faith matters aren’t the subject of this post.

Overview of viral emergencies over recent years since slowing down of HIV ravages around the globe.

In this communication, we are much more interested in the politics of disasters, exposing humanity in our nude mental misery and contradictions. And exactly, today’s COVID-19 global tragedy provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the above premises. Check it out – all countries, including the richest nations on this planet are stressed. All – at “war” against one tiny virus capable of killing millions if no barriers of protection have been put in place to stop its progression. In many countries – even the army has been mobilized to provide additional support to medical personnel and infrastructure overwhelmed by the crisis. All – holding their breath while families and communities continue to mourn the sudden dimise of their loved one’s fallen in the battle against coronavirus. Very sad – you can’t even take their remains to the final destination! 

Fortunately, beautiful Whuhan – believed to have been the originating city of COVID 19 shall soon get back to normal life again. Nothing in common with ancient Chinese cities of Hamin Mangha and Miaozigou, which saw several hundred – if not more, of their populations decimated by a furious viral killer almost 5000 years ago. No matter the sadness of today’s situation in the Italian Lombardy region, or even in several cities of France, with even increasing death tolls. There is great hope that COVID-19 shall come to pass. “Hold on folks – we shall overcome this. Sure – it is just a matter of time!”.  

It’s not just a matter of optimism. No – we shall certainly find the means to defeat COVID-19. Vaccines. Drugs. Syrups. All may be available very soon. The best scientific brains around the world have already been mobilized to provide a recipe against this aggressive killer. In only two months since January 2020, we are already hearing of a potential miracle molecule capable of preventing further progression of COVID-19 client diseases before reaching their terminal phase. Chloroquine. Oh yeah – Chloroquine!

OK, folks – wait a minute! The other day – while watching news on a European channel, I smiled just by hearing the mention: Chloroquine, very well known to men and women of generation. I was born mid-sixties. As a child, I hated Chloroquine – too bitter, for my taste. But God knows how many children in the sixties and seventies were saved from malaria and paludism around the world thanks to Chloroquine? Will this anti-malarial molecule have the same efficiency in the fight against COVID-19? Some say “yes”, some others “no”. Well – controversy has always been the driving force behind scientific advancements. And medical sciences aren’t an exception. I wish the answer was “yes”. But let us wait and see. Let’s hope the experts will be wise to avoid any rush in search for recognition. Science without conscious and risk mitigation is mere ruin of the soul!  

Talking about epidemics in ancient times, there exists a long list of authors and historians, who left us with a rich documentation of episodes, essays – and even myths and poetry, reporting on the human sufferings in disastrous times of viral outbreaks. For the sake of this post, my preference goes to Thucydides, one of greatest ancient Greek historians (460 B.C.–c.400 B.C.). His legendary narrations on the plague of Athens, which broke out during the second year of Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta got back to my mind. Thucydides descriptions of events that unfolded in Athens that time illustrate very well a few aspects of our reality today. Objectively, I admired this author – not only because he survived the plague of Athens – which probably killed Pericles, one of greatest Athenians political military leader and many other Athenians. He must have been a strong man, or a disciplined citizen of the state-city of Athens. But – his philosophical reflections on that ancient public health disaster provided us with clear codes for a better understanding of the human nature explaining our behavioural patterns when faced with pandemics, famine, wars, terrorism etc…   

That’s what I call – politics of disasters. Land. Water. Energy. Food. Health. Human beings fight for everything. And when things turn bleak in the landscape and resources get scarce, or while facing viral diseases outbreaks, human beings – instinctively or by political gambling, engage in a desperate search for scapegoats to blame “for what is happening”. Or just simply – “for what did not happen to prevent what is happening from happening”. In disasters, human beings find it very difficult to hold onto basic moral values. Integrity. Solidarity. Mutual respect. Forget it – who cares? Even usual religious beliefs become illusory. Don’t lie. Don’t steal. Don’t kill. Don’t fornicate. God is on vacation – mind your own business.

From the Antique all the way through the European Middle Age, and even beyond, pre-designated scapegoats were to be found among the “barbarians” and other infiltrated “collaborators” believed to have been paid by enemies to contaminate water tanks and food stuffs – by night, in order to influence the course of events. Not so long ago – the notion of barbarians evolved towards an abusive incrimination of “foreigners” indistinctively, and with them some poor women accused of betrayal or sorcery. Sources exists bearing testimony of the atrocity of the politics of disasters just enough to prosecute, convict and burn people alive for allegedly working against the highest interest of “our nation” and the well-being of “our people”.

No wonder that nationalistic and far-right politicians in different regions of the world would claim to know who really caused the COVID-19 terror affecting us today. Sure – they believe to know who put us into today’s troubles although the year 2020 had started perfectly well. Look at them pointing fingers on Illegal migrants and alleged criminal drogue deals who spread diseases all over the place. And therefore, tough measures have been proposed to parliaments towards securing national borders or erecting new walls to protect “our people” from COVID 19. Didn’t you hear them trying to humiliate China – accused of being incapable of feeding its own population leaving them with no option but to eat raw bats and snakes. In the same register, conspiracy theories have emerged amongst far-left marginal groups accusing capitalistic medical laboratories to have “invented” COVID-19, to sell new drugs, sanitary gels and chirurgical masks. It was already the case, in the early 1980s when HIV was believed to be an invention of scientists and secrete services Agencies. To make things worse, in view of the current scarcity of masks and gloves recommended to strengthen sanitary protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19, rumors and fakes news have invaded urban streets and social media consolidating the general confusion.       

Going back to Thucydides – one must realize that the politics of disasters has had a strong impact on the course of historic events. In some situations, it even has accelerated the end of era for better or worse. We know that Sparta won the Peloponnesian war although victory seemed long promised to Athens. What is most relevant for us here, is less the war – but the impact of the plague of Athens on the course of history.

It is likely possible that COVID-19 will be – soon or later, defeated and we shall be fine again. Yes, humanity will – as per our habits, forget and move on. However – one little doubt remains. What shall happen – if that wasn’t the case? How if COVID-19 was to mutate its RNA (ribonucleic acid) and proliferate into a different genetic signature? In that case – fear and anxiety will still be confined with us. And that’s when a new global political and socio-economic shift, including an innovative health preparedness approach will become an imperative.

Are we ready?

Should we wait until then?

Think about it!