{"id":8269,"date":"2022-07-20T12:01:48","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T10:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/?p=8269"},"modified":"2022-07-21T10:14:51","modified_gmt":"2022-07-21T08:14:51","slug":"further-lessons-learned-from-the-covid-19-pandemic-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/further-lessons-learned-from-the-covid-19-pandemic-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"further LESSONS learned from the COVID-19 pandemic – part II"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

July 20, 2022, part II of III<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

written by Dr. J\u00f6rg Baumann and Dr. Sabine Breun<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Started in February 2020, the SAJO blog is providing a thread through the pandemic with up-to-date information and suggestions around SARS-CoV-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may zoom in and out using CTRL+ and CTRL- <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear readers,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What lessons did we learn over the past 30 months? The following is a short \u2013 and necessarily incomplete \u2013 selection, part II of the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hint: To this topic, Science<\/em> published an extra edition. Please inform yourself: These are THE SCIENTIFIC FACTS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our selection is based on observation, scientific know how, and common sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t shoot the messenger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither Karl Lauterbach nor Christian Drosten were responsible for the pandemic with all its consequences in Germany. They were simply the bearers of bad news. To vilify them is just an empty-headed reaction. (In other countries this happened as well \u2013 we just want to mention the heroic Tony Fauci). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sole trigger of this pandemic was the virus SARS-CoV-2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are too many people and institutions responsible to be named for the rampant course of this pandemic. Beginning with China, the pandemic\u2019s place of origin. The Chinese government hushed up the findings and silenced the medics and scientists who dared to warn their international colleagues. Then, instead of issuing an immediate warning call the World Health Organization (WHO) dragged their feet for weeks. Several influential politicians in North and South America belittled the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Western countries, lawyers put in all their might to fight against vaccination campaigns and masking mandates stating the violation of civil liberties. Thus, they actively prevented to at least slow the pandemic down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end however, it is every one of us being responsible, since the ongoing exponential growth of the human population, the misbelief in steady economic growth, and our compulsive urge to consume, are leading to a global annihilation of naturally grown landscapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why many viruses (and other pathogens) come into contact with us. The question is not IF<\/strong> there will be another pandemic, but WHEN<\/strong>! It is just a matter of time. Climate change and global warming are aggravating this trend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By now, this should be clear to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Selfishness rules, on the individual as well as international level<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous examples of individual egotism. We are narrowing it down to several extremes. One example would be the hoarding of stuff, in Germany mostly bathroom tissue, pasta, and flour. Intriguingly, other countries experienced other ways of hoarding, in France people preferred to hoard wine and cheese, while Italians preferred wine. The preferences aside, this just shows the individual egotism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were no shortages of food and necessary items at any time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More serious consequences were due to campaigns of anti-vaxxers and opponents of masking. <\/strong>If an individual refuses to get vaccinated, so be it, but with all the consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If, however, people see the donning of a mask as an interference with their individual freedom, this is just absurd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An N95 mask is your ticket to an (almost) easy-going everyday life. Now, the hypocrisy of these people comes to light: While insisting on their liberty to not don a mask, now they are harassing people choosing the liberty to don a mask. This is how they are showing their true and ugly face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On an international level a lot of selfishness was to be seen, too. The US prohibited the export of vaccines. They may do this to make sure their own population is profiting from a home-made vaccine. However, if they block the export of vaccines that had been manufactured in Europe, only to be packaged in the US, this is not acceptable. The producing companies didn\u2019t mind since their vaccines instead were sold for a good price in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were no shortages of vaccines at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countries in the EU (with Germany leading the way) used their financial power to buy huge amounts of vaccine doses. Hoarding, anyone? Poorer countries were left out. Lots of these vaccines in the end were not needed, and were simply destroyed, instead of giving them to countries in need of vaccines before they expired.<\/strong> The rich nations indeed made some good friends globally. We are appalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pandemics are highlighting the weaknesses of the globally interconnected economic system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If certain parts of machines, vehicles, equipment are produced exclusively in places where cheap labor makes cheap prices, this shows the greed of producers for the best possible profit,<\/strong> the unscrupulousness of the local exploiters, and the ignorance of consumers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is dangerous to relocate the full production of drugs into a single country. Should problems arise there, the world is in short supply of specific medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cjust in time\u201d principle is risky. It reduces storage capacity\nat the place of final construction. But if only one part is being delayed, the\nwhole production comes to a stand-still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has illustrated this yet again, but will economy and politics learn? We don\u2019t see this. Economy and politics are stubbornly heading into the next pandemic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Misinformation is spreading faster and easier than scientific facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are not only the social and asocial media to be blamed for, but unfortunately the trustworthy media as well. In Germany, the newspaper publishers decided to hide their well-researched articles on COVID-19 behind a paywall. Not every single household can afford several newspaper subscriptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence, many people are getting information via the internet, where misinformation is rampant, and free of charge.<\/strong> In the UK and the US, COVID-19 related press articles were published free of charge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

German media outlets simply wanted to make money. This greed leaves us speechless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Germany, each household is legally obligated to pay a fee to support the public broadcasting of radio and TV, which have the duty to inform and educate the audience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we only see a minimal amount of sincere news and well researched reporting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An example is given by the daily 8 pm news on Channel 1, with a meager selection of real news<\/strong>, more than often leaving out specific topics<\/strong>, but covering half of its time with sports results. In the meantime, the pandemic development no longer is news, although it is gaining traction this summer, a worrying trend. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems the news now only serve as entertainment for the people. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The daily program is completed with a lot of rubbish TV shows and the so-called German Schlagermusik, the level cannot sink any deeper. For such a \u201cservice\u201d every household has to pay. This money could be better invested in other areas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dear readers,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, we want to give an update on pandemic numbers: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Johns Hopkins University is tallying more than 565 million infections and more than 6.7 million new infections per week, with a climbing tendency.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The USA, France, Germany, and Italy are leading the list of new infections. Germany alone counted 660,000 new cases last week. Numbers are increasing. The same goes for death rates. https:\/\/coronavirus.jhu.edu\/map.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The variant BA.5 shows a tendency to overcome immunity. For individuals with a stronger immune response and within a population with a high level of immunity, the virus is less deadly. Hence, vaccination does protect from severe cases and death.<\/strong> However, the trend observed indicates that the protection by vaccines is waning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A previous infection with other subtypes does not protect from the newly emerging ones. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BA.5 and other new variants are able of transmission even outdoors. <\/strong>Thus, it would be advisable to wear N95 masks in the outdoors where there is no airflow and if there is no possibility to keep a distance from each other. 3 ft. may not be sufficient, and the virus is transmitted in a short time of private conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your eyes open! Get information through reputable channels. Don\u2019t be careless even in summer. It is time to re-impose some of the measures. <\/strong>Personally, we are donning N95 masks when interacting with others in the outdoors. This is advisable when shopping, in markets, in pedestrian zones, and in streets where a protective distance cannot be maintained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is wrapping up part II of our mini-series on lessons learned (if you want to) from the (still ongoing!) pandemic. Stay tuned for the 3rd<\/sup> installment coming up soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay healthy and take care!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yours, Joerg and Sabine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dr. Joerg Baumann and Dr. Sabine Breun, both PhDs, virologists, immunologists and founders of SAJO. Both are specialized in infectious diseases. Since the 90s, Dr. Baumann has been working on zoonoses and how pathogens overcome the species barrier. Since 2000, Dr. Breun works on the interaction of viruses with the immune system. Both work as a team, have international experience and reputation. SAJO enables new antivirals – antivirals of the next generation to fight pandemics. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

SAJO – for a healthy and better future<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAJO is consulting all around infectious diseases. We are applying our know-how, that we have acquired in more than 20 years. We do what we can to fight this pandemic.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is post No. 226. To our delight our blog is receiving a lot of acceptance, we love to share our know-how and expertise. Please feel free to share the link<\/strong> – it is an informative tool to fight this pandemic. We would appreciate, if our German colleagues in medicine and politics cited us when retrieving information from here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Note: We are no members of political parties, religious congregations, or societies. We value independence, sovereignty, and freedom. With our blog we are providing purely scientific advice, without conflict of interest, altruistic. We are not being paid for it.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The SAJO high technology (the heart of SAJO) allows for the identification and isolation of next generation antiviral and antibacterial components for the development of new drugs, for prevention or therapy. This is what we do best \u2013 these are our USP and our strength. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for a reputable, wise and long-term investment? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financiers and big investors, who respect democratic values are very welcome to contact us. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 Should you like to have SAJO antivirals or antibacterials, or to give a contract, or need consultation, or to invest into SAJO, please do not hesitate to contact us.<\/strong> You may use the formular at our homepage or phone number or email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 On a regular basis we are asked for ideas. Please feel free to contact us as well. <\/strong>You may use the formular at our homepage or phone number or email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SAJO business model: https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/sajo-Flyer.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit Sabine at XING <\/strong>https:\/\/www.xing.com\/profile\/Sabine_Breun<\/a> and Joerg at LinkedIn<\/strong> https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/j%C3%B6rg-baumann-phd-0710b11a3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

July 20, 2022, part II of III written by Dr. J\u00f6rg Baumann and Dr. Sabine Breun Started in February 2020, the SAJO blog is providing a thread through the pandemic with up-to-date information and suggestions around SARS-CoV-2. You may zoom in and out using CTRL+ and CTRL- Dear readers, What lessons did we learn over […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1186,1185,1187,223,1160,1012,12,11,1161,1162,1085,1183,323,15,968,1077,1159,1164,1165,18,1166,110,1096,1095,299,295,1163,178],"class_list":["post-8269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allgemein","tag-07-20-2022","tag-20-july-2022","tag-20-7-2022","tag-antivirals","tag-baumann-and-breun","tag-breun-und-baumann","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19","tag-dr-baumann","tag-dr-breun","tag-fighting-the-pandmic","tag-further-lessons-learned-from-the-covid-19-pandemic-part-ii","tag-immune-system","tag-infectious-disease","tag-innovation-in-infectious-diseases","tag-investors-wanted","tag-lessons-learned-from-the-covid-19-pandemic-part-i","tag-masks-are-protecting","tag-only-pcr-tests-are-valid","tag-pandemic","tag-pandemic-plans-needed","tag-recommendation","tag-sajo-blog","tag-sajo-drugs","tag-sajo-high-technology","tag-sajo-key-technology","tag-vaccines-safe-lives","tag-zoonoses"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8269"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8329,"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8269\/revisions\/8329"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sajo-innovation.de\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}