Universal Ethics and the Corona Moment
Abstract
It should not have happened but it did - the corona virus. A lack of ethics was the main reason. What are the positive values that must guide our actions and behaviour to deal with the pandemic? How can we turn the situation around and build a new future that is better than what we had before? The opportunity is there and we must make it happen - this is the corona moment - when we need to apply universal ethics.
Full text
What should not have happened
How could a virus from a small animal cause a pandemic and turn the whole world upside down? Hundreds of thousands of deaths have occurred and caused hardship for many more. It is the worst global economic recession since the 1930s, companies have been made bankrupt and millions face unemployment and increased poverty, especially in developing countries. Every single person on earth is exposed to the effects of Coronavirus. Countries and societies have been locked down, individuals are in isolation and people are dying alone in hospital beds or in homes for the elderly with no family members close by. New York was forced to bury some bodies in mass graves as the families could not afford a proper funeral or the dead had no next of kin. All of this was unthinkable and unimaginable just a few months ago.
If we, in our ultimate sophistication, cannot deal with a virus, what can we deal with? Ultimately it is not about the economy, not about politics, not about the healthcare systems, not about scientific advancements and ability but rather a failure to adhere to and respect basic human values – Universal Ethics. Regardless of how “advanced and sophisticated” our world is, if we do not get the values right, there will be untold future challenges and problems that humanity will struggle to handle. The “new” future must include Universal Ethics adopted by all.
How did we end up here? To start with we must look to the possible origin of the virus - linked to inhabitants from the city of Wuhan in eastern China, who consumed the meat of pangolins, believed to have been the intermediate hosts of the Coronavirus but originally carried by bats. This was an illegal and dishonest activity. Who was at fault? Individuals who bought the animals at the wet market and those who had imported the endangered animals (violating the ban in international trade in place since 2016). The local and central government did not enforce the ban and ensure that trade and consumption were prevented. The cover up, a lack of transparency, by Chinese authorities of the initial discovery of the Coronavirus, meant that it had time to spread within China and to other parts of the world before concerted action could be taken to stop it. If these violations of law and ethical values had not been committed the pandemic would never had occurred.
Some companies and people, driven by greed, have produced fake and falsified medication, claiming to have positive effects or even be a cure for patients suffering from Coronavirus. This has been particularly prevalent in developing countries. This is also dishonest and illegal and can have negative health consequences.
Although at a very early stage of the outbreak it was well known that there were Coronavirus cases in northern Italy many people, especially from Scandinavian countries, travelled there for skiing holidays. Even the State Epidemiologist of the Public Health Agency in Sweden, believed it was safe to travel to the northern part of Italy. This violated the precautionary principle, which was established in Europe in the 1970s for environmental and public health matters. If the consequences of an action are not clear, one must take the safer option and err on the side of caution. Other examples of precautionary actions are the use of track-and trace systems, testing individuals for the virus and wearing face masks to help prevent the spread. Results of surveys show that a considerable portion of people who test positive for the virus do not show symptoms and that a portion of those (six to eight percent according to a study from Singapore) in turn can spread the virus. Logically this means that all healthcare staff should be tested and should wear full protective equipment to prevent passing on the infection. This is particularly important for those working with the elderly - a risk group. To do anything else goes against the precautionary principle and, I might add, common sense. Despite this, some countries chose not to undertake extensive testing or to recommend the use of full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face masks for healthcare staff. In some countries, including Sweden, sufficient quantities of PPE and masks were not available at the start of the pandemic. It took weeks and in some cases months before the required amounts were available. This is due to a lack of systematic preparedness to acquire and store the equipment required in an emergency.
At the start of the pandemic, pictures of Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, showing hundreds of people close together on the beach, sunbathing and surfing, were shared by global news networks. In several places around the world, including Sweden, young people, who still believe they will not be seriously affected by the virus, have been enjoying themselves and partying, not respecting social distancing rules and showing minimal to no regard for the risk of spreading the virus to others, especially the elderly. This adds an unnecessary burden to healthcare systems and exposes the risk group. What if these young people end up in a car accident and need emergency healthcare? They would also likely be affected. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that young people may still get sick from the virus and need hospital care. During the later stages of the pandemic, the younger generation between 20 and 35 years of age were the reason for the rapid spread of the virus in many European countries because they did not adhere to the social distancing rules. This is an example of selfishness and complete lack of compassion, consideration and respectshown by some young people to other people and, indirectly, themselves. Quite a few individuals I have met commented that they are not worried about the virus as they are young, in good health and do not belong to a risk group, implying that it is almost acceptable to lose a few older people with underlying diseases who would have died soon anyway. This is unethical and represents a serious lack of compassion and respect for the risk group and a selfishmentality. Some observers have speculated that the Swedish Corona strategy was driven by achieving herd immunity, although this has consistently been rejected by the Public Health Agency in the country. At a digital press briefing on 12 October 2020, the Head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that to have an ambition to achieve herd immunity is unethical. “Never in the history of public health has the strategy been to achieve herd immunity in response to a pandemic.”
Some important guiding values
Patience and forbearance are essential values when people’s freedom is restricted by e.g. lockdown and curfews. If individuals do not respect the restrictions and the rules introduced, the spread of the virus cannot be stopped, resulting in more people getting ill or even dying. Some argue that you cannot expect people to be patient for extended periods - they will start violating the rules as they gradually lose patience. Politicians should appeal to the public to maintain a required ethical code, which is about values, not politics or legal regulations.
The Swedish Public Health Agency has been reluctant to recommend actions that limit or restrict the flexibility and freedom of individuals in the interest of reducing the spread of Coronavirus.
One problem during the initial stages of the pandemic was the hoarding of food and other supplies. The UK and several other countries reported empty supermarket shelves which then affected those most impacted e.g. National Health Service (NHS) staff, who could only get to stores after working long shifts at the hospitals. Stockpiling of medicines by the public was also reported in several countries of the world. These are indications of a lack of respect for others, a disregard of other people’s needs and, again, selfish behaviour. This all happened despite governments, at an early stage, confirming that there would be no shortage of food and other products in the grocery stores as the supply chains were functioning well without interruptions.
Is there a perception that the freedom of one individual should not be constrained by reasonable considerations for the health and wellbeing of others? Is there a lack of loyalty and willingness to give up something or make a personal sacrifice for the good of others? A poster had been set up at the railway station in Åre, the largest ski resort in the northern part of Sweden, addressing visiting tourists: “Think of us who live here, egoists”. Relevant values include “service to society and others” and “restraint”. It is about thinking of others and the consequences for society as a whole and how we can contribute to the common good. Restraint means we think twice before we act, especially if what we are planning to do could potentially have a negative impact on or directly harm others. We have a responsibility to ensure that we, as far as possible, acquire the knowledge and wisdom to understand the impact and consequences of our actions. We have the obligation to inform ourselves as much as possible about aspects of the pandemic, to effectively apply our discernment to make the best possible decisions.
A shift in values
Examples of actions and the list of values and behaviours that should have been and should continue to be avoided is long. But, the examples of positive behaviours reflecting essential core values, are growing rapidly. Concern, consideration for others and especially the vulnerable, are manifested in many ways. Community initiatives building on togetherness and compassion for others are increasing rapidly. Showing compassion with people close to us and those living in other parts of the world and pulling together is required if we are to be successful in gaining control over the pandemic. We are beginning to see a gradual shift in values.
Many have offered their time to help others, for example doing shopping for the elderly who have been confined to their homes to maintain isolation. A very large number of volunteers have come forward to work in the health services in many countries. These are terrific examples of individuals showing compassion and service to others, representing the best of human values. Donations for the prevention of the pandemic and care of Corona patients have been made by many people as well, including wealthy entrepreneurs and sports stars, demonstrating great generosity. The public has shown a huge appreciation for healthcare staff and applauded them in the streets of cities around the world for their incredibly impressive dedication and service to others.
Politicians rightly refer to health staff as heroes and have, quite rightly, provided concrete practical support for them, e.g. providing free parking. Grocery shops have also introduced separate fast lanes for healthcare staff. During the peak period of the Corona pandemic, healthcare staff in Sweden had their working week extended to 48 hours, while the salary was increased to 220 percent of their regular salary. I wish this sentiment and support would extend beyond the Corona pandemic and result in greater long-term appreciation and permanently higher salaries and status for healthcare staff in the future. We must shift our mental focus to do more of the things embodied in positive values rather than negative ones.
The Corona moment
This is a moment - the Corona moment - when we should take time to reflect on how we lead our lives and what our priorities are for living more sustainable lives, closer to the fundamental needs and ethical values of humanity. During this crisis, the world has slowed. Many people’s lives have changed dramatically and many are confined to their homes during lockdowns and curfews. How can we start the world up again in a consciously different way, guided by the values of Universal Ethics? How can we start up our lives bearing in mind what is important and less important. How can we apply Universal Ethics as a guide in our lives? The goal should not be to return to “business as usual” as quickly as possible, but to take the opportunity to improve on how the world is run and how we lead our lives. Business as usual resulted in this crisis and we must draw conclusions and learn from this time and prevent a repeat in the future. The temptation is to restore, as soon as possible, the way the world worked before the virus. It may be the end of the Coronavirus pandemic, but society will remain as vulnerable as before Corona and another virus or existential threat may come along soon to send us scrambling again, forcing us to deal with yet another crises situation.
The challenges are huge, but there are also some fantastic opportunities. Can we, together, re-establish common values that are important to humankind? Good and positive things can come out of adversity. As the whole world and its people have been affected simultaneously it should be easier for us to understand that we are interconnected, interrelated; that we need to show compassion for each other, from one part of the world to another and from one generation to another. We need to promote and adhere to a set of common values – Universal Ethics that, if practised, will help to prevent future events like the Coronavirus pandemic from occurring and enhance the ability, capacity and motivation for humans to tackle existing and future challenges together. Universal Ethics must be applied, not only in our interactions with others but also in our relationship with the environment, ecosystems and the planet.