Le Message de la Présidente du conseil d'administration sur COVID-19

The COVID-19 epidemic, which creates a widespread pandemic worldwide, continues to seriously threaten life. In fact, at an unexpected time, while the information about this disease that started in Wuhan, Hubei province of China in December 2019 changes every day, the panic and anxiety that exist has turned into a kind of fear due to the rapid transmission of the disease, the number of patients and deaths constantly increasing. Considering the different clinical prognosis of the disease, the age groups in which it is seen and its spread; It can be anticipated that the subject will not be limited to the medical dimension, but may have negative effects in terms of socio-cultural, ethical and moral, law, education, tourism, economy, agriculture and public health.

Pandemic in history; While mentioning that pandemics caused by the transition to agricultural society and the domestication of animals have affected societies for thousands of years, it is known that recent archaeological and genetic studies, such as the plague disease, have caused widespread pandemics in the Eurasian continent since 3000 BC.

Stating that the Athens Plague (430-426 BC), the Antonin Plague (165-180), the Justinian Plague (541-542) and the Black Death (1346-1353), which are included in the historical records, are the most known epidemics, Varlık gave the following information. : "From the end of the Middle Ages, with the gradual expansion of trade and transportation networks, the advancement of maritime and geographical discoveries, epidemics have also increased. In this period, diseases such as smallpox, syphilis, yellow fever, in addition to the diseases that have existed in the past, cause mass deaths, especially in the regions they have just reached. For example, diseases such as measles and smallpox, which were transported to the American continent by Europeans, caused very heavy losses when the indigenous people who were not immune to them were infected. One surprising discovery we learned from genetic research is that there is a type of salmonella among these diseases that cause mass deaths. As a result of these epidemics in which millions of people lost their lives, the indigenous population in the American continent almost disappeared.Although the spread of old infectious diseases increased during the New Age, new diseases emerged and their circulation accelerated. Transportation and transportation, which accelerated even more with steam ships, increased the spread of many epidemic diseases, especially cholera and plague. " The influenza pandemic, also known as the "Spanish flu", which caused huge losses around the world between 1918-1920, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 million people.

"With the spread of commercial air transport, the global movements of people have accelerated exponentially and the spread of diseases has reached an unprecedented level. Especially towards the end of the 20th century, the new infectious diseases have an important place among the global health problems. Various types of influenza of animal origin can be counted as well. For example, the Asian flu in 1957-1958 caused 2 million deaths and the Hong Kong flu in 1968-1969 caused the death of approximately 1 million people.When we look at the last 20 years, SARS, MERS, Ebola, Zika. We can also list the outbreaks of Avian Flu and Swine Flu. " Past pandemics have changed social life, political structures, and caused radical changes in many economic, religious and cultural areas. "The loss of a large number of people in a short time can completely change the social structure. This both disrupts the demographic balances and brings new social dynamics. Therefore, the loss of a large number of people in a short period of time, regardless of the time period and in any culture, will definitely lead to changes in the society. Importantly, do societies have the flexibility to soften the effects of these shock waves or will this shock wave cause other irreparable wounds? In societies that can quickly adapt to the consequences of pandemics, these effects are felt relatively mildly. In addition, pandemics sometimes trigger large migration waves.When we look at historical examples, migration from rural areas to cities increased and urbanization process accelerated during or after the epidemic. Pandemics also affect the power of political power. Mass revolt and rebellion movements are more common at such times, as inequalities and dissatisfaction within them become more visible as a result of pandemics. Changing social values ​​and structures bring new political formations after epidemics. " "Different and even opposite attitudes are the situation we encounter in past pandemics as they are today."

Although these reactions vary over time and from society to society, what is similar is the diversity of these reactions. Since societies are complex structures, the reactions to the epidemic also vary from person to person or according to the socio-economic class, religion, race and gender of the individuals. The interesting thing is that during a pandemic, we can see very different and sometimes diametrically opposite reactions in the same society. For example, some people surrender to fear in the face of pandemics and react accordingly, some may be more reckless. Likewise, while some individuals are thinking of escaping from the epidemic and saving themselves, others may act in a way that endangers their own lives to help others. Some spread gossip and conspiracy theories, while others act on their observations and science. As a result, these different and even opposite attitudes are a situation we encounter in past pandemics as they are today. What makes pandemics different from each other is both the characteristics of the disease causing the epidemic and the structure of the societies. " "The infectious properties of the new type of coronavirus that cause the disease, its incubation period and its effects on the human body are still under investigation. In this case, it would not be right to compare Kovid-19 to pandemics such as plague, cholera, and even influenza and try to understand them by looking at them. Before making comparisons or trying to find similarities, it is necessary to carefully consider the characteristics of the disease that led to the pandemic. For example, it will be different from a pandemic that progresses more slowly and whose contagious features lead to slightly milder or less deaths.In addition, how long societies have struggled with the pandemic, and also what kind of social, political and economic problems they have been dealing with. It is among the elements that give rise. " "A global problem requires international effort based on global solidarity and cooperation" It is not yet known how long the Kovid-19 pandemic will last or when it can be controlled "In this process we are living in, states make their own risk assessments and follow protection policies accordingly. Although each state is fighting the virus within its borders, these efforts will not be enough to stop a global crisis in the long run. Since we are talking about a global threat that concerns us all, Therefore, it should be remembered that this is not a problem that can be solved only with the efforts of nation states. A problem on a global scale requires an international effort based on global solidarity and cooperation. Although such steps were taken in the first few months of the pandemic, countries that could not control the spread of the virus in the last period we entered. it has largely frustrated such efforts. " Pointing out that the withdrawal of the USA from WHO, which supports health programs especially in developing countries, may result in new global health crises, Varlık said, "This decision of the US government, which is widely criticized, may prevent or delay the access of the American people to a vaccine that can be obtained as a result of Kovid-19 research. On the other hand, this means that the USA is losing its world leadership in global health. WHO, which has pioneered in tackling many problems threatening global health since its establishment, has achieved many important successes. There are also extremely important efforts such as controlling tuberculosis (MDR-TB), developing systems to monitor influenza and other deadly infections.Although the institution's policies against Kovid-19 are criticized and debated, WHO's corona report will only end the pandemic. search after expiry It will be understood.

"Short-term solutions will be abandoned over time"
"In countries more severely affected by the epidemic, this change will undoubtedly occur faster. 'Is a new world order waiting for us after the pandemic?' When you look at the daily life, the change has already started. For example, immigration from big cities in the USA has started. In the spring, especially in New York, families who had to close to their homes during the very heavy epidemic now go to the suburbs outside the city where they can move a little more comfortably. On the other hand, working remotely or from home using digital communication technologies is applied in many sectors of the business world. Even these working methods seem to continue after the pandemic. The pandemic has affected many areas of our daily life. It has already changed our work, socialization, travel and consumption habits. Of course, the important question here is whether this is just a temporary adaptation process or whether it can turn into sustainable practices. So short-term solutions are individual or collective. Although they require some sacrifices, they will be abandoned over time. According to the claims of economic historians, it is obvious that the economic effects of pandemics do not last long, they can heal the wounds of societies in a relatively short time, political transformations take shape in the longer term, which countries will affect more, and will play a role in shaping future political transformations. "In the long run, we will see both the economic and political consequences of this failure. Moreover, these results will not only affect the American economy. Great pandemics in history also give us hints that there will be radical changes in the long term. Pandemics shed light on the current problems of societies. Especially inequalities and discrimination even more." There are those who claim that the Covid-19 pandemic has opened up a new space for us to establish a more equitable, just and sustainable world order, so much so that in a radical transformation process, all institutions that contain these inequalities may change. Finding solutions to inequalities of opportunity, resolving racial, religious, and gender discrimination has started to be discussed more with the effect of the pandemic. draws attention to. " "It is also possible to be prepared against pandemics"
"As with all other natural disasters, it is possible to be prepared against pandemics. Just as it is not right to remember the phenomenon of an earthquake only when an earthquake occurs and then delete it from the social memory, it is also not right to remember pandemics only at the time of the epidemic and then forget it. It is clear how countries that do not give the necessary importance to the field of public health fail against Kovid-19. The Turkish society has given a very important test against the corona, and it still continues to do. The history of pandemics clearly shows us from now on. There will be pandemics like this.

In the light of all this information, I think that we contribute to our country and the world by producing medical products during the pandemic process. On behalf of my company and all of my employees, we are happy and proud for our work that aims to overcome this process with the least damage and protect all humanity from the effects of the pandemic with the medical products we produce.