The coronavirus threatens more than just physical health
The Russian Bioethics Committee under the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO met online during one of the toughest periods of the epidemic.
The event was held on April 30, 2020 and was hosted by TASS news agency. It focused on ethical and psychological aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. The discussion was moderated by TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Guzman.
In his welcoming address, Secretary-General of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Grigoriy Ordzhonikidze drew attention to the need to strengthen cooperation with foreign partners in the fight against the coronavirus, and stressed the important role of the Russian Bioethics Committee in establishing a transparent dialogue between researchers and practitioners to collect and exchange information about the disease while including taking into account ethical considerations.
Alexander Chuchalin, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the Russian Bioethics Committee, Vice-Chairman of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee, presented a report on the impact of the pandemic on clinical medicine. At the same time, the prominent Russian pulmonologist stressed the need to provide psychological assistance to both patients and doctors.
Yuri Zinchenko, President of the Russian Academy of Education, President of the Russian Psychological Society, head clinical psychologist at the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, member of the Russian Academy of Education, and other prominent scientists who took part in the event noted the growing demand for psychologists given the pandemic environment and self-isolation. The experts also claimed that spreading false information about COVID-19 must not be tolerated.
The participants of the conference agreed that the scientific and expert community should not ignore the emotional reactions of the population to the disease, the changed living conditions, and uncertainty regarding life after the end of the pandemic.
In conclusion, Secretary-General of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO Grigoriy Ordzhonikidze reiterated his readiness to assist in establishing contacts and deepening cooperation between specialists from different countries, primarily within the framework of the National Commissions for UNESCO.