The role of education and interdisciplinary connections has proven to be critical, as well as the fundamental role of research.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted the lives of every individual and will continue to do so for many years to come. Society’s best chance at managing the pandemic lies in science and the work of scientists.
Masaryk University organized a conference to showcase some of the areas it has been focusing on in addressing the health and social aspects of the current pandemic. Experts from MU and other institutions spoke at the conference.
„People in the university space – employees, students – approached the situation very responsibly. Especially in the first wave, we experienced an unprecedented level of solidarity and help from them, for example through the volunteer center. The second level of help is science, which will guide society through this situation. The story of science during the coronavirus pandemic shows how crucial it is, how it permeates every day of our lives. It is now the task of academics to explain science, not to be closed behind the walls of laboratories, but to share what they do and why it matters,“ said Martin Bareš, the rector of Masaryk University, in his opening remarks. He also added that the pandemic has shown that the globalized world is more vulnerable than we realized. The role of education and interdisciplinary connections has proven to be critical, as well as the fundamental role of research.
Biomedical Aspects of the Pandemic
The conference delved into the biomedical aspects of the pandemic, with speakers providing data and specific numbers. Ladislav Dušek, the director of the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic and head of the Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses at the Faculty of Medicine of MU, highlighted the challenges in data collection and analysis due to the novel nature of the disease. He mentioned the need for real-time data to guide decision-making.
Virologist Pavel Plevka from the CEITEC MU institute focused on the virus itself and its properties. He emphasized the importance of personal responsibility in preventing the spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants. Filip Pardy, a researcher at the Central Genomics Laboratory at CEITEC MU, explained how the virus is detected and the significance of PCR testing.
Jiří Litzman, the head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology at the Faculty of Medicine of MU and the St. Anne’s University Hospital, discussed the development of vaccines and the advancements in molecular biology and genetics that have enabled their rapid development. He also highlighted the importance of vaccination in public health.
The conference also addressed the treatment of COVID-19 patients, with Petr Husa, the head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Faculty of Medicine of MU and the University Hospital Brno, sharing insights on effective treatments for adults. The discussion also touched on the low incidence of COVID-19 in children and the potential protective antibodies they may have.
Social and Economic Aspects of the Pandemic
In the second part of the conference, participants explored the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. Marta Valešová, the MU Treasurer, discussed the university’s crisis management, rapid decision-making, and the necessary adjustments in internal processes during the pandemic. She highlighted how the crisis had strengthened the university and led to technological advancements.
David Kosař, the head of the Institute for Judicial Issues at the Faculty of Law of MU, examined the relationship between individuals and the state, the functioning of public institutions in the context of the pandemic, and the shift in power dynamics within governance structures.
Petra Mlejnková, the head of the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social Studies of MU, explored the societal impacts of the pandemic, including the rise of misinformation, fake news, and the influence of extremist groups. She emphasized the need for informed decision-making and learning from global trends.
Štěpán Jurajda from CERGE-EI discussed the long-term economic costs of the pandemic, the effects of school closures, and the health impacts of recessions.
The conference highlighted Masaryk University’s resilience in the face of the pandemic. It provided valuable information on science and societal issues to the public, supported its employees, and continued to offer education to its students and prospective applicants.
The event was moderated by Daniel Stach, and the entire conference recording can be viewed on the conference website.