Covid-19, from dusk to dawn
Coronavirus, UN humanitarian appeal
April 16, 2020
Coronavirus, sick people and people with disabilities. Disaster within disaster
April 18, 2020
From dusk to dawn, West and East, Covid-19. Countries driven by different socio-economic paradigms face an identical problem.
1) Pictures
Pictures of the last few weeks mark the sunset, in the West. Rows of military trucks loaded with coffins in Bergamo, collapsing hospitals there as well as in Brescia and Milan, healthcare heroes at the front without shields, elderly people killed at the Pio Albergo Trivulzio in Milan and in other nursing homes.
Then there are the mass graves in the artificial island of Hart Island (New York, USA) e the forecourts of Las Vegas (Nevada, USA) with the homeless framed between the parking lines.
To structural deficiencies of a fragile capitalist model, unable to predict the 'gray swan' Covid, inattention to the warnings issued by China and WHO (World Health Organization, or WHO) starting from 31.12.19.
2) Chinese sunrise
Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province (China), reports the first SARS-CoV-2 outbreak to WHO. In connection with a viral outbreak probably emerged on 17.11.19, identified between mid-December and early January 2020. (1)
The Chinese government - after a first series of partial containment measures (eg closure of the fish market, social distancing) - establishes the red zone in Wuhan (11 million inhabitants, 1 million more than the whole of Lombardy), on 23.1.20. The measure is then extended to the entire province of Hubei (about 60 million inhabitants, slightly less than Italy). On 29.1.20, the level 1 state of emergency (maximum alert) was extended to 31 Provinces and 44 Prefectures of the country.
The World Health Organization, on 30.1.20, confirmed that she was involved promptly and congratulated China for its efficiency. (2) Any untimely disclosure of news to the general public is explained by technical requirements (identifying a new viral strain) and public health (implementing an effective plan, preventing rash reactions from citizens).
Efficiency and solidarity
The contrast strategies implemented in China are distinguished by a 'containment' and cooperative approach. Isolation of the population at home, support and assistance at home. (3) In just a few weeks, 16 dedicated hospitals, scratch and on existing structures, in order to isolate the infected, as well as protect the patients and not congest the health facilities in the area. (4) We will remember the 10-seat hospital built in two weeks and the 1700 doctors and nurses who came from the other Provinces. (5)
The metropolis of Wuhan pays a very high toll in terms of human lives. And yet it achieves the 'zero contagion' result in 76 days of lockdown total. On 9.4.20 the doors of the houses and businesses reopen, under vigilant health surveillance. (6)
The whole country it immediately applied social distancing measures (suspension of Chinese Lunar New Year holidays and other mass demonstrations) and sample tests on the population. This made it possible to quickly locate other small outbreaks outside the Hubei Province and immediately stop their spread. The cases of Covid-19 infection in China currently range from 114 / 100.000 inhabitants in Hubei to 1,5 / 100.000 in the neighboring provinces, up to 0,5 / 100.000 in the more distant ones. (7)
2) Korean sunrise
South Korea, the second major country to identify the pandemic, starting from 20.1.20, manages to contain its spread to 0,02% of the population. With a mortality rate close to 2% (208 deaths out of 10.450 verified cases, in a population of about 30 million inhabitants). (8)
Credit goes risk prevention, also stimulated by the knowledge of its dangers (with a good memory of SARS-CoV-1). Against a per capita GDP 10% lower than the Italian one (US $ 31.363 for Korea, Italy 34.483, data World Bank 2018) Korea has 12 hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants. Over four times the number of Italy (2,8 / 1000. See table). (9)
Equally merit goes to the contribution of Chinese specialists. Who provided an example of the effectiveness of rigid measures of social distancing, diversified corridors of hospitalization for the infected. And a capillary assistance work in the area, with an active search for outbreaks.
The situation in China, South Korea and other countries that have taken effective containment measures immediately, it now seems under control. Health surveillance remains active and the new outbreaks reported in recent days, mainly linked to returns from abroad, are immediately isolated.
3) Sunset in the West
On the opposite side unfortunately Europe and the USA stand out. Who remain deaf to the calls of the WHO (and their own virologists) and do not take any preventive measures to combat the new coronavirus. Although the first cases were ascertained on 19.1.20 in France (Paris, Bordeaux) and on 25-26.1.20 in Italy.
The 'patient zero' European turned out to be a businessman from Munich (Germany), who allegedly contracted Covid-19 from a business partner from Shanghai, met on 20-21.1.20 in her office. (10)
Skepticism and the lightness of self-styled experts ('the virus, although easily transmitted, does not have a high lethality rate and our country is well equipped to face the emergency ', Walter Ricciardi, 31.1.20), however, have the upper hand.
Not even a state of emergency health, declared with resolution 31.1.20 of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, is enough to trigger the necessary containment and mapping measures of the virus. Indeed paradoxically public demonstrations, fairs and political meetings continue.
In Lombardy on 27.1.20 - when the government establishes the first 'red zone' in the province of Lodi, the first extended outbreak recognized - the President of the Region Attilio Fontana hurries to minimize. 'It's little more than a flu!'(sic!). Exactly one month later she self-isolates. But still in March the Lega and PD politicians persist in minimizing the risks. PD secretary Nicola Zingaretti wins 'a corona' (virus) at the party party on the Navigli, on 27.2.20. #milanononsiferma but collapses, next to #bergamononsiferma and #brescianonsiferma. Bubbles and disasters.
Still in Lombardy, on 8.3.20, the 'indiscretions in the press' about the imminent establishment of the 'red zone' trigger the storming of railway stations. Hundreds of out of control people are transporting Covid-19 to other regions.
In Brittany (France), on 7.3.20, the mayor of Landerneau, Patrick Leclerc, blesses a Guinness World Record-breaking public event. Over 3.500 imbeciles dressed as smurfs arrive from all over the country, where in the meantime 1.784 cases and 33 deaths have been recorded.
In England, the 12.3.20 Boris Johnson puts forward the idea of herd community (herd immunity). Thousands of deaths follow, in a health system already debilitated by the purge of the Tories (-100 thousand units and -17 thousand beds in 10 years). It's the same premier in intensive care.
4) Figures
A chain of errors and incompetence favors the rapid spread of the epidemic in Europe and the USA, beyond any control and forecasting model. The drastic cuts to public health committed in the last few decades even force the mixed use of health centers. (11) Which thus become centers of contagion for health personnel, patients and relatives.
The numbers of infections and deaths in the West they reach frightening levels, far superior to those of the more populous South-East Asia (see table). And the believed savings of the first hour - including bubbles in the Navigli, smurfs and non-immune flocks - causes incomparable damage, on a different scale. In the immediate and short term.
Covid-19, comparison between countries
(*) OECD data, (**) WHO data, COVID-19 Global Report, 10.4.20, (***) See note 19
4) International solidarity
The People's Republic of China, in these months of immense efforts, it also knows how to devote great resources to the commitment of international solidarity. Materials and specialists are sent where required. Theremask diplomacy', as indicated by some observers, is part of the epochal project of the Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, the New Silk Road. More precisely in the New Silk Road of Health. (12) Where it is planned to strengthen international ties for cultural development ('a human community with a common future') and economical. (13)
The 'global chain of solidarity support' brings teams of medical specialists and tons of medical supplies to Italy from China. Providential lung ventilators, masks and face shields, protective suits, monitors and everything that immediately emerged as an urgent need. (14)
The Russia in turn sends 15 cargo planes to Italy. Mobile laboratories and disinfection equipment. In addition to 120 units including doctors, virologists and experts in bacteriological control, who go to Bergamo for the disinfection and sanitization of hospitals and residences for the elderly. Followed by columns of military trucks full of medical material (lung ventilators, masks) and modules for field hospitals. A country that is friendly and supportive although Italy has continued to adhere to the fines imposed by the US (via the EU) on you. (15)
Cuba - the small island at the forefront of medicine (where, among other things, interferon was created - joins the chain of international solidarity. It commands 52 experts in Italy, including doctors and nurses, already protagonists of health missions against the Ebola virus in Africa in 2014. (16) Other arrivals are announced in these days.
Albania in turn he sent a team of 30 doctors and nurses to Italy. 'It is true that everyone is locked up in their borders and also Very rich countries have turned their backs to the others. But perhaps exactly because we are not rich, but not even without memory, we cannot afford not to show Italy that Albanians and Albania never abandon their friend in difficulty.. ' (Edi Rama, prime minister, 28.3.20).
Poland it is the first EU member state to offer aid to Italy. A team of 15 specialized doctors has organized the new 'Polish department', 12 intensive care places. The mission was coordinated by the Military Institute of Medicine and the Polish Center for International Aid. Socialist memory and Christian charity.
Venezuela chavista - whose help was announced and then denied by the Councilor for Health of the Lombardy Region Giulio Gallera - made himself available through his Embassy to send aid and personnel when requested.
the 10.4.20 even the USA has promised Italy important aid, with a memorandum that underlines its triple purpose. 'We will go to the aid of Italy for
- defeat the Covid-19 epidemic and mitigate the impact of the crisis,
- showing US leadership at the same time in the face of Chinese and Russian disinformation campaigns, [!?!]
- reducing the risk of a new infection from Europe to the United States',
5) ingratitude
The most committed countries in international solidarity (all those mentioned above, except Albania, Poland and the United States) are still victims of international sanctions, economic embargoes or financial wars. Cold War resurgences, measures always ordered by Washington, sometimes also endorsed by the UN to which Italy and the European Union also adhere. (17) Measures that always and in any case afflict populations, in particular their poorest groups, and especially children.
The pandemic However, Covid-19 and the international solidarity consortiums are not enough to instill drops of humanity in the Atlantic block. The grip is not loosening, not even towards Iran which is also one of the countries most afflicted by the virus. The US, the EU and the UK have also blocked Russia's proposal to the UN, signed by 42 member states, for a temporary moratorium on sanctions.
Conclusions. The necessary breakthrough
The global economic crisis that is looming on the horizon (with international financial indices in rapid decline and the global chain of production and trade in severe distress) will open up completely new and difficult to predict scenarios. In the inter-capitalist clash, there will be a shift of the world hegemonic axis in favor, most likely, of the BRI countries (Belt and Road Initiative), led by the People's Republic of China.
It is essential, for Italy and Europe, choose whether to remain paralyzed at sunset or to go back to watch the sunrise:
- stay on a leash of the USA, which on 14.4.20 announced among other things to stop its contribution to the WHO. (18) In addition to cyclically waging wars of aggression outside the rules shared by the UN. Or maybe instead
- recover sovereignty diplomatic, review the classic ties and look to the East. Contribute to the normalization of commercial and political relations, participate in the creation of a multipolar and peaceful world.
Leading the relationships, internal and international, should not be the search for maximum immediate profit, but that of solutions win-win. In economic exchanges and crisis management. International solidarity, respect for differences, the principle of non-interference and the search for the common good.
China - with the Silk Road and the Health Silk Road - draws a model and proposes long-term, multilateral and pragmatic agreements. While power in the West still falters, risking that the populations are overwhelmed by its own dullness.
Dario Dongo and Maurizio Biena
Note
(1) Dennis Normile, John Coen, Kai Kupfershmidt. Scientist urge China to quickly share data on virus linked to pneumonia outbreak '. Science Magazine, 9.1.20, https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/01/scientists-urge-china-quickly-share-data-virus-linked-pneumonia-outbreak#
(2) 'The speed with which China has identified the outbreak, isolated the virus, sequenced the genome and shared with the WHO and the world is impressive and leaves you speechless.. ' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Statement made at the second meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee (International Health Regulations 2005) on the new Coronavirus, 30.1.20. who.int
(3) Yuri Afroin. The secret of China's success in the fight against the coronavirus: socialist civil society. (translation by Mauro Gemma). Marx XXI, 27.3.20, 30389-2020-03-27-07-06-21 https://www.marx21.it/index.php/internazionale/cina/30389-2020-03-27-07-06- 21
(4) The new Wuhan hospital built in six days. AGI, 25.1.20, https://www.agi.it/estero/virus_cina_ospedale_wuhan-6945166/news/2020-01-25/
In Wuhan, an exhibition center becomes an emergency 'hospital'. AGI, 5.2.20, https://www.agi.it/estero/wuhan_coronavirus_centro_esposizioni-7011851/video/2020-02-05/
China coronavirus, all 16 temporary hospitals closed in Wuhan. Nova Agency, 11.3.20, https://www.agenzianova.com/a/0/2845780/2020-03-11/cina-coronavirus-a-wuhan-chiusi-tutti-i-16-ospedali-temporanei
Coronavirus, Wuhan hospital built and finished in 10 days. Corriere della Sera, 8.2.20,
(5) China, doctors return home. The city of Wuhan thanks them. Askanews, 31.3.20, Wuhan volunteer shares her journey. China Daily, 8.3.20,
(6) Guido Santevecchi. Coronavirus, light outside the tunnel: Hubei reopens its doors, Wuhan waits until April 8. Corriere della Sera, 24.3.20
Coronavirus, Wuhan reopens its doors. Drones, AI, apps, tech: China's weapons. Italian affairs, 11.2.20,
(7) Chinese National Health Commission (NHO). Data and graphics published on wikipedia.org under the heading 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic in mainland China
(8) Roman Angel. Coronavirus: what is happening in South Korea and why there are no pre-packaged recipes. Blue suitcase, 23.3.20,
(9) OECD data
(10) Camilla Rothe et al. Transmission of 2019-nCoV Infection from an Asymptomatic Contact in Germany. N Engl J Med 2020; 382: 970-971. doi: 10.1056 / NEJMc2001468
(11) Fiorina Capozzi. Coronavirus, the Italian health care defined for ten years. 43 employees and beds below the EU average have been cut. Here are all the critical issues. Il Fatto Quotidiano, 5.3.20,
(12) Diego Angelo Bertozzi. The routes of the Silk Road of Health. Globalization Observatory, Osservatorioglobizzazione.it
(13) Xi Jinping. Building a human community with a common future. Central Compilation & Translation Press, Beijing, 2019 (translation by Mauro Gemma for marxVentuno edizioni)
(14) Coronavirus, Chinese aid to Italy: 'Material, experts and the results of the work of thousands of doctors. La Stampa, 13.3.20,
(15) Eloise Covelli. Coronavirus: Russia sends aid to Italy. EuroNews, 22.2.20,
(16) Fabio Marcelli. Thanks Cuba, thanks to the doctors against the virus! The behavior of the allies was shameful. The daily fact, 29.3.20
(17) Countries subject to sanctions by EU countries, complete list on the website of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, mef.gov.it, Financial Embargos section
(18) The calculation is of little significance as it is vitiated, in the denominator, by the low number of swabs and serological tests performed so far. The scientific community considers SARS-CoV-2 mortality to vary between about 1,5 and 3%, in line with what has been observed in China. Other factors - such as the average age of the population, the general state of health, climate and capacity of the health system - may however affect this figure.
(19) To obtain comparable values on the percentage of infected people, only the population of the province of Hubei was considered, while the number of infections refers to the whole of mainland China. The calculated value is therefore higher than the actual figure.
Charlie Campbell. A Crime Against Humanity. Why Trump's WHO Funding Freeze Benefits Nobody. Time, 15.4.20, https://time.com/5821122/who-funding-trump-covid19-coronavirus-china/
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
