Science and Common Sense in a Pandemic

By Lothar H. Wieler | 19 February 2021

After many long nights, government bodies in countries across the world have announced the roll-out of vaccines that can prevent the spread of coronavirus. Lothar H. Wieler, President of the Robert Koch Institute, speaks about the speed with which these vaccines have been developed and the science behind them. However, as the leader of a public health organisation in Germany, he believes that no single intervention can be successful in preventing disease. Stressing on the importance of combining science with common sense, he explains why personal as well as collective responsibility is important in the battle against COVID-19.

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About the Director

Prof. Lothar H. Wieler is president of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, the national Public Health Institute in Germany. His research focusses on zoonotic diseases in a One health concept, i.e. infections that are passed between animals and humans, and account for many of the newly (re-)emerging infectious diseases. A particular research interest of Prof. Wieler are the molecular mechanisms, which enable bacterial zoonotic pathogens such as e. coli and s. aureus to infect different hosts, and develop resistance to antibiotics.

Since 2010, he is also an elected member of the German National Academy of Sciences, where he also holds the position of a senator. In 2020 he was nominated to the member board of the One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Here are the top three questions on Dr Lothar H. Wieler’s mind at this moment:

  • Will mRNA vaccines revolutionise global vaccination and bring to a halt the spread of many diseases in the future?

  • Why do many people believe in digital and technological solutions instead of common sense?

  • Why is it that many people are already relaxed as soon as they know that there is a solution, even though this solution has not been implemented yet?

You've heard his responses, and now we'd like to hear yours. Write to us using Dr Wieler's questions as writing prompts and we may showcase your submission on our website! Click the link below for more information.