Zhong Nanshan Dialogue with Fauci: Epidemic Prevention and Control Needs Global Cooperation
Xinhua News Agency, Guangzhou, March 2-At 21 o'clock on March 2nd, Beijing time, Zhong Nanshan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, attended the International Epidemic Prevention and Control Expert Seminar organized by the University of Edinburgh in Guangzhou. Online dialogue to discuss topics such as global anti-epidemic cooperation.
Epidemic prevention and control: global cooperation is essential
Regarding global cooperation, Zhong Nanshan believes that the new crown virus is the enemy of all mankind. If the new crown virus is still spreading in individual countries, it will not be possible to control the new crown pneumonia in the world.
If we want to stop this epidemic, it is necessary for the decision-making makers of each country to make appropriate decisions based on science and evidence. Everyone is doing their best, so global unity is needed.
Fauci said that the first reason why global cooperation is important is because of moral responsibility, and the second reason is virus mutation.
It is not enough for a country to successfully prevent the epidemic. If there is no cross-border cooperation, the virus will rapidly mutate in transnational spread, which in turn will impact countries that have successfully prevented the epidemic.
"It is very clear that we must maintain this spirit of solidarity and cooperation, and use this spirit to advance the work of the global health network. Every country should be involved in this process, and every country should be involved in this process. We learn from and learn from these painful experiences and lessons, ten or twenty years later, we must not forget the experience and lessons." Fauci said.
Fauci said that there have been some successful examples of previous global cooperation, such as measles and polio, whether on a large scale or a small scale, there are various examples.
"So specific to the new crown (pneumonia prevention), I don't think there is any reason not to produce successful examples."
It will take at least 2-3 years to achieve herd immunity worldwide
In response to the divergent "herd immunity", Zhong Nanshan believes that some unscientific and inhumane "natural immunity" methods cannot be used to achieve the effect of herd immunity.
"With the development of vaccines and successive launches, I think it will take at least 2-3 years to achieve herd immunity worldwide."
Economic development and epidemic prevention and control need to be balanced
Fauci believes that in the face of the epidemic, economic shutdown and recovery must be matched with the requirements of public health and epidemic prevention. As for how to find a balance between economy and epidemic prevention, multiple efforts, including the social sciences and political sciences, must be combined to find the real Effective solutions.
When talking about the experience and lessons in response to the epidemic, Fauci believes that we cannot act too hastily. If we do too hastily and restore the so-called "normal life", we are likely to face the counterattack of the epidemic, and there may be great Risky, but if the action is too slow, it may also be a painful and slow process.
Zhong Nanshan agrees with Fauci's view that "restarting the economy cannot be rushed."
He said that the GDP of many countries around the world dropped last year, and China's GDP also declined in the first half of last year, but normal economic development resumed in the second half of the year.
"We spent a long time thinking about when we can resume work and production. Last year, we did not reopen economic activities and resume classes until two months after the epidemic was basically under control. In this regard, we have made very strict regulations. If the country resumes work and production too quickly, the epidemic will fight back again. This is a problem experienced by people in many other countries."
"A year from now will be better than now"
Regarding the forecast for the next year, Fauci said: "Within one year, we will not be able to get people all over the world vaccinated, but I predict that we have been able to control the epidemic well, and we have already taken some measures. There are some steps that have allowed us to gradually achieve normal social life, our economy can recover, and society can also get a relatively good development. Our cross-border tourism and travel can also reappear."
Zhong Nanshan said: "I am personally optimistic about the future, because we are in the right direction. Most countries are currently experiencing fewer infections. It is difficult to predict what will be like a year later, but everything will happen in a year. It will be better than it is now," Zhong Nanshan said. "Experts all over the world need to work together to develop new drugs, new antibodies, and new and more effective vaccines. These are all for us to return to normal social life. Necessary prerequisites.” (Reporter Xiao Sisi, Ma Xiaocheng, Lu Hao, Hong Zehua)