In a recent book (Memories of a virus and other pandemics published in Universe of Letters from Editorial Planet and in Kindle Edition) I have tried to show how the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2), which has caused death and pain in the world population and havoc in the economy and social life, was favored by the prevailing (political, social and cultural) conditions. And on the other hand, that the development and duration of the pandemic -which has already lasted for two years- are related to the decisions adopted by the leading groups, motivated more by the interest of ensuring their continuity in power and the desire to obtain economic benefits than to achieve the common good. The trends of 2020-2021 (for which the figures are now shown) and the hypotheses formulated in the book have been fully confirmed in recent months.
- Two years ago, at the beginning of January 2020, the authorities responsible for the health services of Wuhan (China) recognized the appearance of cases of “a viral pneumonia of unknown origin”, as some doctors and other concerned people had reported days before on social media. It was not possible to hide it anymore. On the 11th, the official media announced the first death caused by that disease (whose agent was identified as a coronavirus). Actually, many think that others happened before. In any case, since then they began to be counted. Until the time of writing this note, worldwide (according to the WHO) 5,631,457 people have died from covid-19 (name given to it on March 11) (1.55% of the more than 364,191 .494 in which it has been detected). Because the virus, present since December 2019 in many places in China, spread rapidly and aggressively: on January 13 it was detected in Thailand, on the 20th in the United States, on the 24th in France, on the 29th in the United Arab Emirates, on February 25 in Egypt and the following day in Brazil.
- In these two years the virus has caused incalculable damage to people and societies. Suffice it to say that 4.78% of the world’s population at that time suffered from the disease, that 0.07% died from this cause and that many of those who have overcome it have physical and other sequelae. In some of the most populated countries these percentages are very high: in the United States 21.75% and 0.26%, in Brazil 11.44% and 0.29%, in the Russian Federation 7.91% and 0.23 %, in Iran 7.48% and 0.16%, in South Africa 6.05% and 0.16%, in India 2.93% and 0.04%. It must be taken into account that these numbers do not show the reality (in truth, even more serious), because in many States the statistics are very deficient and in not a few they are used to manipulate public opinion (at the convenience of the governments). Barely, and with reservations, the figures mentioned – terrible – bring us closer to understanding the tragedy caused by the coronavirus, whose origin has not yet been revealed. But they do not reflect it in its magnitude: because, in addition, the pandemic unbalanced the world economy, threw millions of families into poverty, condemned hundreds of millions of men and women to ignorance and lack of culture. Even more: it provoked political changes that adversely affect the lives of entire peoples in all regions of the world.
- The world economy suffered a serious setback (-3.36%) because the pandemic affected industrial production, international trade, the movement of people and goods, and the construction of infrastructure. All the big economies, those that drive the rest, had a negative behavior in 2020 (except China with +2.35%): the United States fell by -3.64%, Japan by -4, 59, Germany -4.57, UK -9.69%, France -7.86%, Italy -8.94%. The same thing happened in the following in importance: Canada at -5.31%, Korea at -0.85%, Australia at -0.004%, the Russian Federation at -2.95% and that of Spain at -10.85%. Some very dynamic and recently emerging ones also fell: India by -7.25%, Brazil by -4.06%, Mexico by -8.31%, Indonesia by -2.07% ( although that of Turkey increased by 1.79%). The decline in economic activity caused serious damage to almost all aspects of social life and the deterioration of services, at the same time that the measures taken to prevent contagion forced the limitation of communication between people and the suspension of activities, such as those of education or international cooperation, essential to guarantee development.
- All countries, even those that had a slight growth, were affected. But not all were the same. Thus, the GDP of Latin America and the Caribbean decreased by 376,000 million (a drop of -6.72%), that of South Asia by 195,000 million (-5.71%) and that of Sub-Saharan Africa by 37,000 million (-2.02%). ). Some were better equipped than others to face the pandemic. They suffered long before what I have called the “social pandemics” that make them especially vulnerable. The virus laid bare reality. Some affect the spirit, such as dehumanization, materialism, indifference, banality; others material life, such as poverty, hunger, disease, submission; or finally, social and cultural action, such as ignorance, authoritarianism, violence, discrimination. All, in truth, are the result of the denial of a common origin, of a creator Father who calls for transcendence. Given the previous vulnerability, few societies might (or wanted) to provide adequate responses to the emergency. Governments made mistakes that had dire consequences. However, little has been insisted on their responsibility for the decisions they made, many with full knowledge of the harm they might cause. Only a few voices –such as those of Pope Francis or the Secretary General of the UN– called for reflection and solidarity.
- On March 11, 2020, the Director General of the WHO, declaring that the body considered the disease a pandemic, warned that “it would affect all sectors” and called for States to adopt a “panoramic approach”. -governmental and pan-social”, around a comprehensive strategy. It was not well heard. Another approach, more utilitarian, guided the measures that were taken: it deprived the love of exercising power and the desire to obtain economic gains. In many cases, the protection of life and health was sacrificed. It was more important to ensure the continuity of the leading group. To this end, for example, information that warned of danger was hidden or manipulated or measures that imposed limitations on individual freedom were eliminated (so as not to bother millions of voters). At the same time, attempts have been made to guarantee the operation of productive activities (or limit restrictions). For this purpose, many initiatives were justified, such as stimulating remote work, increasing subsidies to companies or allowing shows to be held with thousands of people. The amount of fiscal expenditure has increased considerably due to the needs of the social services and production sectors. The public debt also rebounded without considering its effects on the future of the peoples.
- In countries with authoritarian regimes, the pandemic made it possible to strengthen control over the population, by limiting freedoms (especially information). It also served to try to hide actions that public opinion rejects: overthrowing governments, repressing or silencing democratic movements, imposing economic programs and even continuing wars. Two distinct (and contradictory) trends have emerged in Western countries. On the one hand, measures have been taken to restrict rights, but on the other, governments have renounced their leading role. Rather than set long-term goals, they have preferred to follow the inclination of the majority. As long as fear prevailed in the face of the unknown disease, they were able to impose behaviors that involved sacrifices for all. But little by little, they gave in to the demands of very active groups reluctant to accept limitations. Thus, sometimes, with the aim of obtaining electoral benefits, the spread of the virus was facilitated.
- It must be said that men and women throughout the world have shown that they prefer to maintain their way of life (materialistic, hedonistic, selfish) rather than modify their behavior to avoid contracting the disease and to prevent it from spreading to others. Although the first can be described as an irresponsible attitude towards oneself, the second supposes the forgetfulness of the solidarity that obliges us towards the other members of society. This attitude, contrary to one of the principles that inspired the great modern revolutions and on which it has been tried to build the societies of our days, seems to be gaining strength. To justify it, it is argued that by nature man is called to live in freedom, whose limits each one can set. Although it may seem strange (following almost two hundred years of socialist preaching), this way of thinking has gained many followers. Without a doubt, it has been an important cause in the extent that the infections of the latest variants of the virus have acquired.
The coronavirus that appeared in Wuhan in December 2919 has marked the history of our time. But, to a large extent, its effects were produced by the action of men. Also, although it may seem a paradox, they themselves have contributed to limiting them (with preventive measures or the creation of vaccines), while at the same time giving relief to those who have suffered them. They are – no doubt – contradictory beings.
The figures referring to the covid-19 pandemic are taken from the coronavirus dashboard of the World Health Organization (as of January 24, 2022). The population data and economic behavior of the countries appear on the World Bank website.
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