Life Kills Life Jan Greguš Center of Outpatient Gynecology & Primary Care Center of Prenatal Diagnostics Department of Philosophy, Masaryk University Life Kills Life Jan Greguš BSSb1194 Unintentional and Natural Threats to Security Division of Security and Strategic Studies Department of Political Science, Masaryk University The single biggest threat to man‘s continued dominance on the planet is the virus. – Joshua Lederberg The Covid-19 Pandemic Covid-19 in the Czech Republic • first case March 1, 2020 • progression of the epidemic similar to other European countries • differences in time shifts, immunisation levels and impacts on society • shifting there and back from „best in covid“ to „worst in covid“ Covid-19 in the Czech Republic • 4,6 mil infected (official numbers) • 45 thousand died • increased mortality by 50-70% in 2020/2021 • decreased life expectancy Two Critical Periods • 10-11/2020 high numbers of infected healthcare providers risk of not having anyone to treat patients • 2/2021 collapsing of healthcare capacities too many patients to too few hospital capacities • gamechanger – introducing m-RNA vaccines + vaccination Pandemic Ends, Virus Stays Situation in the Czech Republic • Covid-19 as a routine respiratory infection • still a threat, especially to vulnerable groups (elderly, imunodeficient, polymorbid patients) • a special chapter: long-covid (organ complications – pulmonary unspecific – brain fog, insomnia, chronic tideness) • consequences of postponing preventive and non-covid healthcare What does not kill you, makes you stronger. – Friedrich Nietzsche Really? • crises as impulses for development and further progress Have we learned? • 2020 lack of masks, respirators, hygienic preparations • 2022-2023 lack of antibiotics and antipyretics (flu season) Life Kills Life a virus kills a human Life Kills Life a human kills a human Humans as Threats to Humans • we were fundamentally unprepared • we were undisciplined and disobedient (not willing to make personal sacrifices for the common good) • we were lacking persistence in enduring hardships • we were willing to risk other‘s lives Humans as Threats to Humans • experts from other fields speaking publicly on Covid-19 (frequently ignoring, undermining and denying the threat) • spreading fake news, prejudices, lies, conspiration theories (contributing to public confusion further worsening the pandemic) • a militant anti-vaccination campaign Consequences • loose faith in evidence-based medicine (including vaccination) • return to middle-age thinking (belief in myths, prejudices, lies) • questioning laws of nature, historical facts, social and ethical norms • shifting in our moral attitudes • lies presented as truths, anarchy presented as freedom You know, Burke, I don‘t know which species is worse. You don‘t see them fucking each other over for a goddamn percentage. – Ellen Ripley Our Chance • to uncover negative phenomena about ourselves and our society • to analyse systematic mistakes (institutions, delayed lock-downs) • to combat those seeking subversion of society, political crises • to adequately response towards spread of lies and misinformation Because … • pandemics have been here since the dawn of humanity • Covid-19 just a reminder what viruses can do (20 mil dead, 0,25%) (high death rates in elderly people not reproducing anymore = not effecting genofond of separate populations (unlike plague) • viruses more lethal or with longer unsymptomatic latency The Deadliest Pandemics • The Plague of Justinian (6-8th century, European population drops by 50%) • The Black Death (14th century, world population reduced from 450 to 350mil, 20%) • The Spanish Flu (1918-1920, death ranges from 17-50 mil, possibly 100 mil; 5%) New Disease Outbreaks • a near mathematical certainty • 1.7 mil currently undiscovered viruses in mammal and bird hosts • 540-850 thousand potentially dangerous IPBES Workshop on Biodiversity and Pandemics • nearly all known pandemics – zoonotic diseases • spread due to close contact between wildlife, livestock and humans • the exponential increase in human consumption, trade and population = increased risk of pandemics, 5 new diseases in humans every year IPBES Workshop on Biodiversity and Pandemics • intensive agriculture – closer contact, easier transmission • increased meat production and consumption • human expansion into natural habitats – encountering new species • urbanization – population density, ideal conditions for disease spread • globalization – close contacts between populations, greater and faster movement within and between countries IPBES Workshop on Biodiversity and Pandemics IPBES Workshop Summary • the spread of zoonotic diseases originates from anthropogenic destruction of the environment • population growth and overexploitation of nature (deforestation, wildlife trade, animal agriculture) fuel these deadly diseases Need for Cooperation • the environment is without borders • the virus respects no borders, political ideologies, religious or cultural differences • despite our differences, in a globalized world, humanity is one organism, humanity is also without borders • the need for global cooperation as a must in addressing these threats to our security Prevention as the Solution • prevention instead of damage-control strategy • reduction of meat production and consumption • reduced wildlife trade • better biodiversity protection • greater investments into gender equality • universal access to contraceptive care • education, including environmental education Conclusion Paleontologists know that most species in the past were not extinct by fallen asteroids or volcanos explosions. Species usually die out suddenly during static times. A big portion of successful and global species are usually wiped out by viruses. Human is a successful and potent species with a well-connected global population. As such, he is a perfect target for viruses and other parasites. With increasing numbers and population density, he becomes a target better and better. New pandemics are sure to come, and we must be ready. The Covid-19 test has shown we‘re not. – Jaroslav Flégr Thank You for Your Attention Contact: jangregus@seznam.cz