Community responses to COVID-19
Peter Charnock
Managing Director leading innovation in Biotechnology, Enterprise Software and SaaS
Are we inexplicably asking "Do the elderly or infirm deserve to live"?
As I witness the growth in global COVID-19 deaths, the many people ignoring distancing and isolation measures causes me to ask if individuals, consciously or not, are making ethical choices to minimise the value of the elderly and infirm members of our Communities? Are we deciding that their lives are worth discarding?
Ignoring social distancing, self containment and isolation may spread COVID-19 to the elderly and infirm, risking their lives.
The reasons, motivations and sometimes justifications for the choices people make, when it comes to social distancing, self-isolation and shutdown are numerous and varied.
- Maybe they just don’t believe the science, that the elderly and infirm are most likely to suffer and die, should they contract the disease?
- Perhaps like some of our elite sportspeople, they feel invinceable and assume their status applies to all members of the community?
- They could feel overwhelmed by the social and economic burden and powerless to manage and mitigate their behaviour?
- Young people may deny any ownership, as they didn't create the problem?
- Some choose denial and conspiracy theories; COVID-19 may be just one in a list of topics?
- Business, Economic or Social imperatives may overshadow consideration of "less important" individuals?
To be clear, our understanding of the novel coronavirus is evolving and growing. Our responses and communications may be improved. The data we base decisions on is frequently partial and inaccurate. Sources of misinformation are widespread, fanning confusion in vulnerable individuals. Politicians are motivated by their own agendas and sometimes not the benefit of their constituents. Calm, informed, pragmatic use of information is not a universal capability.
The reality is, if we have elderly or infirm friends or relatives, and we don’t avoid transmitting the virus, we risk killing them. It’s an ethical choice. To be made consciously.
Country/Geography Total Deaths 26th June 2020 Deaths Per Capita 26th June 2020
Global 486,003 people 0.0063%
USA 124,281 people 0.0374%
Brazil 53,854 people 0.0254%
UK 43,081 people 0.0655%
Italy 34,644 people 0.555%
France 29,371 people 0.0433%
Spain 28,327 people 0.0566%
Mexico 23,377 people 0.0182%