Pontifical Academies propose
lessons to be learned from Covid-19 pandemic
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| Plastic vials containing tests for coronavirus in a medical laboratory |
The statement, entitled "Responding to the Pandemic,
Lessons for Future Actions and Changing Priorities", was issued by the
Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical
Academy of Social Sciences have put out a joint
statement proposing action to be taken in the face of changing
priorities brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. The five-point statement
is dated 20 March.
The importance of early response
The statement, entitled "Responding to the Pandemic,
Lessons for Future Actions and Changing Priorities," emphasizes the
necessity of an instantaneous initiation of public health measures in every
country. People who test positive for the Covid-19 virus are to be immediately
quarantined, alongside the people with whom they have come into contact.
The document also acknowledges the lesson on the importance
of early response learned from the coronavirus pandemic. It noted that
governments, the media and the scientific community “failed to ensure responsible,
transparent and timely communication.”
“We received advance warning of the outbreak a few months
before it hit us on a global scale”, the document says. “In the future, we need
to better coordinate efforts on both the political and health care fronts to
prepare and protect the population.”
Support for the scientific community
While highlighting the essential role of the scientific
community, the statement calls for better funding for research at the national
and transnational levels.
“Strengthening basic research enhances the capacity to
detect, to respond, and to ultimately prevent or at least mitigate catastrophes
such as pandemics.”
The statement also advocates for collaboration between
international agencies and professional associations.
Protection for the poor and the vulnerable
The Covid-19 pandemic is a common threat that has
far-reaching social, economic and political effects. The poor and the
vulnerable are often most at risk of suffering injustices in these situations.
The document thus enjoins humankind to prove that it is a “Family of Nations”
or a “Family of Peoples” with a “common origin and shared destiny.”
“Pandemics represent a threat to the millions of refugees,
migrants and forcibly displaced. We implore the global community to intensify
efforts to protect the most vulnerable among us,” the statement reads.
Global interdependency
Under normal circumstances, the increasing
interconnectedness of the world facilitates the exchange of ideas and
information, the document says. This leads to the enhancement of the prosperity
and wellbeing of many nations. However, demands for national isolation are on
the increase as a precautionary measure during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Pontifical Academy recognizes that closing borders might
be necessary in some places to halt the spread of the Covid-19 virus. However,
it insists that “national borders must not become barriers hindering help
across nations. Human resources, equipment, knowledge about best practices,
treatments, and supplies must be shared.”
“Seeking protection through isolationism would be
misguided and counterproductive. A trend worth backing would be a strong demand
for greater global cooperation.”
“We insist that global crises demand collective
action", the document reads. "The prevention and containment of
pandemics is a global public good (Laudato sí) and protecting it
requires increased global coordination as well as temporary and adaptive
decoupling.”
Freedom, solidarity and compassion
The Pontifical Academy calls for social cohesion
irrespective of social, technical or health policy agenda. It advocates for
freedom that is coupled with responsibility and solidarity, since “nobody can
succeed alone.”
The statement ends with a call for cooperation at a time
when social distancing is necessary for health reasons.
“The act of staying at home is an act of profound
solidarity. It is to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’.”
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