![References
[1] Pandemic timeline image: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/history-of-pandemics-deadliest/
[2] Conspiracy theory handbook: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/03/ConspiracyTheoryHandbook.pdf
[3] Netflix documentary, "This pandemic, explained: https://www.netflix.com/title/81273378
[4] Three ways to spot a conspiracy theory: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/three-ways-to-
spot-a-conspiracy-theory/p07j9sjk
[5] How to spot a conspiracy theory when you see one: https://theconversation.com/how-to-spot-
a-conspiracy-theory-when-you-see-one-133574
[6] This study predicted a coronavirus outbreak one year ago:
https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/diseases-medicine/this-study-predicted-a-coronavirus-
outbreak-one-year-ago/
[7] Climate Science Denial Explained: Tactics of Denial: https://skepticalscience.com/agw-denial-
explained-2.html](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/perspectivesonthecurrentpandemicpakistan-200510140159/85/Perspectives-on-the-Covid-19-Pandemic-49-320.jpg)
Perspectives on the Covid-19 Pandemic
- 1. Perspectives on the Covid-19 Pandemic Waqar Nabi May 2020
- 2. This presentation is not about suggesting or finding answers. Its on how to think about the questions. Eventually, not even about the Covid-19 pandemic specifically, but such issues in general.
- 3. Confusion?
- 6. Example: Should I get a pet? Which pet?
- 7. Economic view Ecological view Social view Domestic view Islamic view Example: Should I get a pet? Which pet?
- 11. Science Questions What kind of disease does this virus cause? How does it spread? How fast can it spread? Which group(s) of people are at higher risk? What steps can be taken to prevent it? (not should) What steps can be taken to cure it? (not should)
- 12. Science cannot give you ultimate answers Specifically, science is silent on issues of religion, ethics, morality
- 13. Scientific View: Issues There will almost always be opposing views Scientists are humans: make mistakes, can be overconfident, can have vested interests, etc.
- 14. Scientific View: What to do?
- 15. Scientific View: What to do? Science will (usually) not give you final answers There will almost always be opposing views as well. Scientists are humans: make mistakes, can be overconfident, can have vested interests, etc. Follow the consensus view of relevant professionals/bodies Overall consensus of scientists Especially professionals and experts who have spent decades looking into the topic Consensus of scientific bodies NHS, CDC, WHO, Country-specific health bodies (e.g. NIH in Pakistan)
- 16. Scientific View: What to do? Science will (usually) not give you final answers There will almost always be opposing views as well. Scientists are humans: make mistakes, can be overconfident, can have vested interests, etc. Follow the consensus view of relevant professionals/bodies Consensus of scientists Especially professionals and experts who have spent decades looking into the topic Consensus of scientific bodies NHS, CDC, WHO, Country-specific health bodies (e.g. NIH in Pakistan) Respectable mainstream media Have their biases, but unlikely they will tell outright lies Look at a combination: e.g. BBC + Guardian + Atlantic + Aljazeera + Dawn? Science magazines: New Scientist, Scientific American
- 17. Scientific View: What NOT to do?
- 18. Scientific View: What NOT to do? Try to Ignore social media posts unless they LINK to a respectable source. Simply Dr XYZ said something, is not enough. Someone looking like a doctor in a video is also not credible on its own.
- 20. Avoid science denial attitude (Well-informed criticism is a different thing.) Scientific View: What NOT to do?
- 21. Scientific View: What NOT to do?
- 22. Scientific View: What NOT to do?
- 23. Scientific View: What NOT to do?
- 24. Scientific View: What NOT to do?
- 25. Scientific View: What NOT to do?
- 26. Scientific View: What NOT to do? https://skepticalscience.com/agw-denial-explained-2.html
- 27. Scientific View: Note Scientists tend to use very careful language probably, likely, theres a good chance, almost certain, high degree of confidence. They can come across as unsure, whereas they are trying to be careful. We are used to giving more weightage to (over) confident tone and body language Try to ignore all that air, and focus on the content and actual argument being made
- 29. Origin Questions How did this virus originate? Where did this originate? Did some people or a country do this in purpose? Has 5G got anything to do with it?
- 30. Origin Questions How did this virus originate? Where did this originate? Did some people or a country do this in purpose? Has 5G got anything to do with it? Should rely heavily on science But understanding of history, politics, and current affairs will also help Eventually, people have different worldviews and that will have impact Try to base views on sound evidence as much as possible
- 33. Occams Razor: Look for the common before the exotic.
- 35. What is the simple explanation for the Covid-19 pandemic? 1.5 million viruses in wild that we don't know about; any one of them could be lethal to us. SARS and MERS, both coronaviruses. Potentially dangerous viruses have been tracked since SARS one 96% similar to SARS-COV-19 was found not too long ago. WHO report few months before Covid-19: Respiratory pathogen very real risk, and the world is not prepared.
- 36. It is highly likely that future SARS or MERS- like coronavirus outbreaks will originate from bats, and there is an increased probability that this will occur in China this is what a study concluded in January 2019.
- 37. Real vs Far-fetched Conspiracies
- 38. Real vs Far-fetched Conspiracies Real Conspiracies / Cover-ups Limited location Limited people Conspiracies generally unrelated Rarely work out according to plan In general: the truth comes out eventually Evidence
- 39. Real vs Far-fetched Conspiracies Real Conspiracies / Cover-ups Limited location Limited people Conspiracies generally unrelated Rarely work out according to plan In general: the truth comes out eventually Conspiracy Theories/ Far-fetched Conspiracies Very large, extensive plots World domination, Explain everything, grand plans Require an (unrealistically) large number of people to be in on it. Contradictory Immune to evidence Evidence against conspiracy becomes proof of conspiracy Will typically involve Science Denialism attitude
- 40. Real vs Far-fetched Conspiracies: Note People who are believing conspiracies are eventually looking for the truth as well Looking down at people, making fun, or discarding without serious consideration will not help Be kind, be considerate, have empathy If you are debunking something, dont do it to humiliate anyone, or win an argument Do it because you care for others If someone comes up with something that sounds like conspiracy to you, but has sound evidence to support it: listen!
- 42. Policy Questions What preventive measures should be taken? Lockdown? Smart lockdown? Social distancing? Self-regulated? (e.g Sweden) Close borders? How long should measures last? What measures can the people of the country/province/town handle? How to deal with the side-effects of lockdown, especially economy Will the lockdown end up causing more harm than good? What should be enforced, and what should be self-regulated?
- 43. Policy Questions What preventive measures should be taken? Lockdown? Smart lockdown? Social distancing? Self-regulated? (e.g Sweden) Close borders? How long should measures last? What measures can the people of the country/province/town handle? How to deal with the side-effects of lockdown, especially economy Will the lockdown end up causing more harm than good? What should be enforced, and what should be self-regulated? Bring in scientific view, economic view, religious view from relevant experts Decision eventually is (should be) made by politicians/people in position of authority
- 45. Islamic View For practicing Muslims, Islam is all-encompassing
- 46. Islamic View For practicing Muslims, Islam is all-encompassing Science should be brought it to answer the questions it CAN answer So, these are scientific questions what is the risk of spreading the disease if people go the mosque are there groups of people who are more vulnerable what precautions will reduce the risk of infection Then, there are some policy questions, determined by authorities
- 47. Islamic View For practicing Muslims, Islam is all-encompassing Science should be brought it to answer the questions it CAN answer So, these are scientific questions what is the risk of spreading the disease if people go the mosque are there groups of people who are more vulnerable what precautions will reduce the risk of infection Then, there are some policy questions, determined by authorities What do we need to do as Muslims. E.g., if Science tells you that there is a reasonable risk that standing together in prayers at mosque can spread a dangerous pathogen, what should our response be as Muslims? If the authority make a certain policy about visiting mosques, what should our response be as Muslims.
- 49. References [1] Pandemic timeline image: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/history-of-pandemics-deadliest/ [2] Conspiracy theory handbook: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/03/ConspiracyTheoryHandbook.pdf [3] Netflix documentary, "This pandemic, explained: https://www.netflix.com/title/81273378 [4] Three ways to spot a conspiracy theory: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/three-ways-to- spot-a-conspiracy-theory/p07j9sjk [5] How to spot a conspiracy theory when you see one: https://theconversation.com/how-to-spot- a-conspiracy-theory-when-you-see-one-133574 [6] This study predicted a coronavirus outbreak one year ago: https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/diseases-medicine/this-study-predicted-a-coronavirus- outbreak-one-year-ago/ [7] Climate Science Denial Explained: Tactics of Denial: https://skepticalscience.com/agw-denial- explained-2.html
- 50. Photo credits Unless stated otherwise, all images sources from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page https://pixabay.com/ This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/96334879502134519/ https://twitter.com/whatsthepont/status/774613683808956418