The Strategies of Fight Against Epidemics: Victors and Vanquished?

New article by dr. Daniel Novotný, Vice Dean for International Relations at the Faculty of Theology, was published in the Journal of Medical Law and Bioethics.

Abstract: The ongoing covid-19 epidemic has affected the entire world. Somewhat surprisingly, it is not the case that the most successful countries are the richest one, with the best health care. Nor is there a clear link between success and geographical location. Above all, much of the rich Western world has failed so far to protect public health effectively, and so it is appropriate to consider the question why. In this article, I focus mainly on the choice of the basic epidemiological strategy, which I consider to be one of the key factors of success or failure of many countries. I further criticize the view that the protection of human lives would harm the economy or other important values of societies.