I wrote about 3 linked lessons from Covid that we need to learn for the future in this editorial for @ScienceMagazine
science.org/doi/10.1126/sc…
1/5
science.org/doi/10.1126/sc…
1/5
1. Massive, unwieldy, intransigent systems fundamentally changed because of the need to control Covid.
Implies that most sticky problems remain unsolved cos of "won't" *not* "can't" -> we must demand honesty from govts about which solutions are considered necessary & why 2/5
Implies that most sticky problems remain unsolved cos of "won't" *not* "can't" -> we must demand honesty from govts about which solutions are considered necessary & why 2/5
2. Some sticky problems aren't even recognised as solvable! e.g. annual deaths from flu & pneumonia. These reduced massively last 2 years .
Instead of using flu as a benchmark for Covid, question the benchmark.
Instead of return to normal, ask if normal can't be better. 3/5
Instead of using flu as a benchmark for Covid, question the benchmark.
Instead of return to normal, ask if normal can't be better. 3/5
3. Urgent problems can remain unsolved because we don't recognise their immediacy. Humans feel urgency on v short timescales. We saw this both in repeated delayed Covid action & rapid action in Ukraine.
Need to use science inject immediacy into #1 issue: climate emergency 4/5
Need to use science inject immediacy into #1 issue: climate emergency 4/5
To sum up - our response to Covid has shown that we can come together to do great things very rapidly if we need to. It has also shown us how we can fail to act.
As we reflect on 2 years of Covid, let's renew our belief in transformative actions and tackle the big problems. 5/5
As we reflect on 2 years of Covid, let's renew our belief in transformative actions and tackle the big problems. 5/5
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