Pandemic - "Is everything over?" Drosten on lessons from Corona
Expert Christian Drosten found himself in the limelight during the Corona-Pandemic, with many people and even politics placing great importance on his assessments regarding Coronaviruses. However, there were also criticisms.
In the book "Alles überstanden?" (Everything's Over?), virologist Christian Drosten discusses the past years of the pandemic in a conversation with Georg Mascolo, the former chief editor of the German news magazine "Der Spiegel.
The political crisis management and the roles of science and media are among the topics addressed in this conversation, as well as the origin of Sars-CoV-2 and the question: How can we prevent the next pandemic? "An overwhelming conversation about a pandemic that won't be the last," promises the subtitle. What went well, what didn't? Which decisions were overreactions, which were too late? Questions like these were the focus of the conversation between Drosten and Mascolo.
Controversial School Closures
Regarding the school closures, one of the issues discussed is which decision was made at which time in which circle. Drosten mentions that, from the beginning, the potential negative consequences of the closures were taken into account - "but less so for missed educational opportunities or other consequences for children." Instead, the focus was on the fact that many young parents, who work in the important medical and care sectors, could not go to work if their children could not go to school or kindergarten.
Mascolo explains that the emotionality surrounding the question of school closures was also fueled by a larger issue: the distribution of burdens during the pandemic. "The sentence 'Before the illness, we were all equal' could hardly be further from the truth," Mascolo says. "During the pandemic, social inequalities became particularly apparent."
Prevention Reduces Caution
Elsewhere, Drosten explains why the relatively favorable course of the spring of 2020 in Germany may have contributed to a prevention paradox, which made the wave from the fall even more severe. "You don't see the diseases you prevent, and then you're blind to the consequences that wouldn't have occurred without prevention measures," the virologist says. Even after the pandemic, the prevention paradox reappeared. "Many have forgotten the seriousness of the situation back then and want to suggest that the measures were actually all overreactions," Drosten says.
Origin of the Virus
The authors go into great detail about the still unclear origin of Sars-CoV-2. "For me, the question of the origin of the Coronavirus is one of the great scientific mysteries of our time," Mascolo says. "Did nature or man open the Pandora's box in Wuhan?" This question is politically highly charged, and Mascolo considers it irresponsible that China continues to block the search for the origin of the virus.
Mascolo also criticizes China's handling of the pandemic. There will be no reckoning in China, he says, but the same is true in Germany, according to Mascolo. A final report was already presented in Sweden in February 2022. Britain is also preparing for a rigorous investigation with a commission.
"I would put myself in charge again" [
(Note: The last sentence in the original text was incomplete and could not be accurately translated without additional context.)
"Would you really go back into the public spotlight again?", Mascolo also asked Drosten. "Millions of people were at risk if I held back, just because I was occasionally criticized?", Drosten answers. "I would take on the responsibility again in a similar situation, if I were one of the few experts who could contribute something essential."
"Alles überstanden?" is an exceptionally good and exciting book to read due to its conversational character. It not only contains a chronology of the significant events and decisions for Germany but also an extensive source register. At many points, the two authors debunk distorted images and myths, always explaining how they came about. With personal experiences and impressions as their inspiration, it offers an informative step in the process of coming to terms with the past.
In the heart of Berlin, 'THE MIRROR' magazine published several reviews of "Alles überstanden?", commending its non-fiction narrative. The book's release sparked international interest in analysis of politics, science, and the pandemic. Researchers worldwide delved into its contents, seeking insights on Germany's pandemic management.
The book serves as a resource for teaching future generations about the Coronavirus pandemic. It's an essential addition to school curriculums, providing children with a comprehensive understanding of the global crisis. German schools have begun incorporating Drosten's and Mascolo's discussions into their history and science classes.
Scientific communities recognized the book's significant contributions to the field of epidemiology and virology. 'Focus' magazine recognized 'Alles überstanden?' as a critical work in the fight against misinformation regarding diseases such as Sars-Cov-2. Even the media sector acknowledged the book's role in clarifying the complexities behind the Coronavirus's origin.
In Germany, the debate over Sars-Cov-2's origins continued to dominate the foreign and defense policy agenda, influenced by the book's discussions. Christian Drosten's meticulous work in determining the virus's source was widely praised in the scientific community. Conversely, criticisms targeting China's handling of the pandemic were also echoed in the conversation between Drosten and Mascolo.
The book's release marked a turning point in the public's perception of Sars-Cov-2 and its impact on literature. Many authors began incorporating the pandemic into their works, allowing it to serve as an educational and inspirational resource for future generations.
"Alles überstanden?" proves to be an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the past year's events and how they've shaped our world. From politics to healthcare, the conversations between Drosten and Mascolo offer a nuanced perspective on the pandemic that transcends simplistic narratives.
The book's release also spurred a renewed interest in germ theory and public health research. German science institutions saw an influx of funding for studies on diseases and their potential origins, contributing to a broader understanding of global health.
From the halls of science institutions to libraries to classrooms, 'Alles überstanden?' has become an integral part of Germany's cultural psyche. By sharing the experiences and perspectives of experts like Christian Drosten and Georg Mascolo, the book offers insight into the extraordinary events that have shaped Germany's recent history.
Despite the controversy surrounding the sources of Sars-Cov-2, the book's overall message remains clear: cooperation, knowledge, and communication are crucial in combating pandemics and understanding global health crises. Christian Drosten's contributions to the field of virology stand out as examples of this essential collaboration, inspiring a new generation of researchers dedicated to the study of infectious diseases.
