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pandemic 2

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CALM DOWN AND PANIC!

China itself suffered a gigantic swine flu months ago, and

it is now threatened by the prospect of a locust invasion.

And, as Owen Jones has noted, 4 climate crisis is killing

many more people around the world than coronavirus,

but there is no panic about this.

From a cynical, vitalist standpoint, one could be

tempted to see coronavirus as a beneficial infection that

allows humanity to get rid of the old, weak and ill, like

pulling out the half-rotten weed so that younger, healthier

plants can prosper, and thus contribute to global health.

The broad Communist approach I am advocating is the

only way for us to leave behind such a primitive standpoint.

Signs of curtailing unconditional solidarity are

already discernible in the ongoing debates, as in the following

note about the role of the “three wise men” if the

epidemic takes a more catastrophic turn in the UK:

NHS patients could be denied lifesaving care during

a severe coronavirus outbreak in Britain if

intensive care units are struggling to cope, senior

doctors have warned. Under a so-called “three

wise men” protocol, three senior consultants in

each hospital would be forced to make decisions

4. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/05/

governments-coronavirus-urgent-climate-crisis.

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