The Costs Of Indifference
By Emiliano Rodríguez Nuesch and María Morena Vicente
In his 2005 article, epidemiologist and public health expert Michael T. Osterholm underscored a fundamental aspect of human psychology that remains pertinent today: the tendency towards indifference until a crisis manifests. His quote, "Indifference becomes fear only after the catastrophe hits... when it is already too late," highlights a common behavioral pattern where individuals often fail to recognize or adequately respond to impending threats until they directly impact their lives or communities.
Osterholm's insights gain even greater relevance in the aftermath of the year 2020, a period marked by unprecedented global challenges. His quote sheds light on the intricate interplay between fear and Psychic Numbing, a phenomenon closely linked to reduced empathy and indifference in the face of large-scale suffering or humanitarian crises. The phrase "when it is already too late" underscores the critical importance of proactive measures and early intervention in addressing potential catastrophes.
Osterholm's warning wasn't isolated; it reverberated through subsequent years alongside ideas shared by influential figures who presented evidence-based data. Despite the potency of this message, none of these alerts functioned as intended. Why did these advisories fail to provoke the necessary actions and responses?
We were not ready
In 2015, Bill Gates’; sounded a crucial alarm about the world’s lack of preparedness for a global pandemic, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to strengthen health systems and response capabilities His dissertation The next outbreak? We’re not ready, had a very accurate name.
However, the response to his warnings varied, revealing underlying psychological barriers. Many decision-makers were complacent, not fully acknowledging the likelihood and severity of a pandemic, which hindered proactive steps.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder of these challenges, prompting increased awareness and efforts to overcome psychological barriers in pandemic preparedness and response strategies.
Even though the pandemic has served as a massive warning to illuminate the intricate challenges entwined with disaster preparedness and response, there are more things that need to be addressed.
Five years later, in March 2020, Tomas Pueyo's article "Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now" was released. This was a pivotal piece that called for urgent and decisive action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His analysis highlighted the exponential nature of viral spread and the critical need for early intervention to flatten the curve and prevent healthcare systems from being overwhelmed.
Even though the article presented compelling data and simulations to illustrate the potential consequences of delayed intervention, the response was hindered by factors such as initial denial, unclear guidance, political priorities favoring economy over health, public fatigue, and strained healthcare systems.
There’s an article published byThe New Republic titled, “Why We’ve Succumbed to Pandemic Apathy,” in which science writer Marion Renault explores why so many people have become apathetic about the pandemic, despite the fact that millions of people are contracting COVID each day during the surge from the Omicron variant. Apathy, Renault finds, may be a psychological defense mechanism that has played out in humanity throughout history at times of great loss, like plague and war. Renault writes, “As the pandemic’s horrors evolve yet again, apathy offers a blunt, last-ditch psychological defense. It numbs our remaining senses. It steels our growing weaknesses. It acknowledges the intolerability of reality by ignoring it altogether.”
Understanding apathy as a defense mechanism that numbs our senses and steels us against growing weaknesses sheds light on why people may struggle to heed warnings and take proactive measures in the face of a pandemic. By recognizing these psychological dynamics, we can better tailor our communication strategies and interventions to overcome apathy and enhance our response to pandemics.
Addressing Apathy to Future Pandemics Preparedness
The risk of another pandemic is high. The world could have been much better prepared for Covid-19. So now there’s a need to ask ourselves: How well prepared are we going to be for the next pandemic and how can we overcome apathy?
Indeed, we need to find some actionable steps to address pandemic collective indifference, lack of action, and a tendency to ignore warnings.
Addressing apathy and collective indifference requires a multifaceted approach. Empowering people with accurate information, encouraging proactive behaviors such as vaccination and adherence to public health guidelines is essential.
Public awareness campaigns, education initiatives, and community engagement programs can help foster a sense of responsibility and solidarity among individuals and communities. Making data experiential through storytelling, visuals, music, and interactive tools is paramount for meaningful transformation.
Collaboration and concerted efforts on a global scale are necessary to safeguard public health. A strong commitment to research, interdisciplinary work and evidence-based interventions is crucial for enhancing resilience.
There remains a significant gap between awareness and action. It's imperative that we bridge this gap by taking concrete steps towards enhancing our readiness for future outbreaks.