WE ARE facing a global emergency, and politicians who appear to not believe in science are putting us all at risk.
That this statement applies equally to coronavirus and climate change says something about the era in which we live. Our response to the ever-widening outbreak has surprising parallels with our efforts to tackle global warming, though at accelerated speed. There are some transferable lessons.
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First, we must listen to scientists. There have been reports of public health officials in the US being told not to speak to the media without first clearing it with the White House. This is a mistake. As with climate change, open discussion of the risks and uncertainties is the only way forward.
Likewise, science alone can鈥檛 guide our response. In the coming weeks, politicians will face difficult decisions over whether to restrict people鈥檚 movements, perhaps even locking down cities as happened in Wuhan, China, where the covid-19 outbreak began. They will need to weigh the social and financial fallout against the public health risk. Many people can鈥檛 afford to self-isolate without pay for two weeks, so should governments pay them to stay at home? A virologist can鈥檛 answer that.
鈥淲e must calibrate our caution to the outbreak, neither denying the issue nor giving up in despair鈥�
As climate change rises up the agenda, people increasingly look for advice on how they can help mitigate the crisis, whether it be flying less, recycling or reducing meat intake. The role of individual action in this fight is still being debated, but with the coronavirus, it is clear that handwashing will help protect your own health, and that of others.
In fact, as the virus spreads, we may need to take more drastic action, such as preparing food supplies to allow us to self-isolate. Younger, healthier people in particular should see this as a civic duty. Although they may only develop mild symptoms if they become infected, they risk passing the virus to people who are much less likely to be so lucky.
This isn鈥檛 a call to panic buy or begin prepping a bunker. As with climate change, we must calibrate our caution, neither denying the issue nor giving up in despair. The virus can be beaten 鈥� but at what cost will depend on our response.
