Global Epidemics, Coronavirus and the Cosmetics Sector

The coronavirus (Covid-19) that emerged in Wuhan, China in November 2019 and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization has so far caused the deaths of more than 100,000 people worldwide. In the 21st century, epidemics spread very rapidly. This speed is precisely as fast as an intercontinental aircraft can fly. A person traveling from one part of the world can transmit the disease to someone on another continent within hours and even before showing symptoms. Human history is not limited only to wars, the establishment and collapse of states, religious teachings and works of art. Among the stories of existence and non-existence of so many states, there is one more crucial factor that has been overlooked. That factor has the power to write human history not with tanks and rifles, but with invisible bacteria and viruses—microorganisms that cause disease and can lead to mass deaths. The world's past is filled with numerous intercontinental deadly epidemics (pandemics). Examples include cholera, influenza, yellow fever, smallpox, plague, typhus, malaria, measles, polio and ebola. Diseases have always existed throughout history and have killed more people than wars. For example, in the Crimean War of 1853-1856, the number of deaths in combat was 20,000, while the number of deaths from contagious disease in the same period was 75,000. Similarly, in the War of Independence of 1921-1922, the number of deaths in combat was 9,000, while the number of deaths from disease was 22,000. In fact, it can be said that plague even triggered the collapse of Rome, considered one of the world's three greatest empires. Of all these diseases, undoubtedly the most deadly and most painful is plague.

Plague Throughout History

Plague, also known as "black death," is one of the feared, fatal and mysterious epidemics that has appeared at different times throughout human history. The first major plague outbreak in history occurred in Athens in 430 BCE and was called the "Plague of Athens." In this outbreak, an estimated 30 percent of Athens' population died. The second major plague outbreak occurred in the Roman Empire between 161-180 CE and caused the deaths of 7-15 million people over 20 years, triggering Rome's collapse. The Great Plague caused greater loss of life than many wars experienced in history. Its impact was so great that it caused the deaths of nearly 100 million people worldwide in a few years. (This disease, known as plague among the people, is an infectious disease and ended with the discovery of antibiotics).

The Industrial Revolution and Its Impact on Disease Spread

The Industrial Revolution is a process that began with the invention of the steam engine in the second half of the 18th century and caused fundamental changes in economic and social structures. While this process provided humanity with certain benefits, it undoubtedly also caused some burdens and difficulties. Charles Dickens expressed the benefit/burden contradiction caused by the Industrial Revolution in his work "A Tale of Two Cities" very succinctly: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair." Following the Industrial Revolution, with the intensive use of machinery in production, there was a shift to mass production and abundance of goods. On the other hand, with the use of steam engines in transportation, the opportunity to travel cheaply and comfortably in a short time between cities and even countries increased, as did the opportunity to market produced goods in other countries. While these can be listed on the benefits side of the Industrial Revolution, on the burdens side it can be said that the ease of travel contributed to an increase in disease spread. The world's largest flu pandemics occurred during these periods. Between 1889-1890, the flu pandemic caused 1,000,000 deaths worldwide.

Medical Revolution

With the Industrial Revolution, there were three fundamental developments that could be considered revolutionary in medicine. The first of these was French chemist Louis Pasteur's discovery of the rabies vaccine in July 1885. The world became acquainted with vaccination. Another very important discovery came later in 1928 from biologist Alexander Fleming, and with the discovery of penicillin, a very important weapon was obtained against infectious diseases. However, the greatest and most important pillar of the Medical Revolution undoubtedly occurred with Louis Pasteur's discovery of the importance of hygiene. Without hygiene, it is impossible to speak of either health or fighting diseases.

The Greatest Pandemic of the Last Century: Spanish Flu

This viral disease emerged in late World War I, in 1918, in a military barracks in Kansas City, USA. Soldiers who contracted this flu suffered shortness of breath and died within 48 hours. The reason this flu was called "Spanish Flu" is that censorship was applied to the press in America and Europe during World War I. Spain, which did not enter the war, had no censorship. Because flu news was disseminated to the world through Spanish media, this deadly flu was called "Spanish Flu." American soldiers sent from the USA to Europe to fight transmitted Spanish Flu to Europe, and the epidemic spread from Central Europe to the Balkans, from the Middle East to Iran and India, and even from Scandinavia to Australia and New Zealand. This first wave was relatively mild, but the second wave of Spanish Flu, which began in the summer of 1918, was far more deadly than the first. As the flu, which had become even stronger, spread from soldiers returning home after the end of World War I to civilians, case numbers increased dramatically. Schools, cinemas and churches were closed in America and Europe against Spanish Flu. Wearing gas masks in public spaces and covering one's mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing were legally made mandatory. The disease most heavily affected young people and was most effective on people between the ages of 20 and 40. Approximately 50 million people worldwide died from Spanish Flu. Considering that a total of approximately 8.5 million soldiers died in World War I, it is possible to better understand what a great disaster Spanish Flu was.

The Ottoman Empire's Trial with Spanish Flu

The Ottoman Empire's geography was always an open area for epidemic diseases. Indeed, like previous epidemics, Spanish Flu did not pass without affecting the Ottoman Empire. According to Ottoman archive documents, Spanish Flu first appeared in some soldiers in the Ottoman Empire in July 1918. For the Ottoman Empire, which had just come out of World War I, dealing with this epidemic amid such poverty and deprivation was not easy. Nevertheless, administrators and doctors did what they could. The main measures taken by the Ottoman Government against Spanish Flu included closing schools for a certain period, closing cinemas and theaters, and canceling conferences and meetings. It is not exactly known how many people died from Spanish Flu in the Ottoman Empire. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 people died in Istanbul. As we entered the 21st century, despite all developments in medicine, epidemics did not slow down and new diseases were added to the list.

Coronavirus Infections

It shows symptoms similar to upper respiratory tract infections. Types of coronavirus infections such as MERS and SARS can be fatal. MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is a coronavirus infection. The virus that causes this disease is MERS CoV. Approximately 35-40 percent of patients infected with this virus lose their lives. Some individuals can recover from the disease with mild symptoms. Those who recover from the disease have no risk of transmitting the virus. The coronavirus (Covid-19) that emerged in Wuhan, China in November 2019 and spread worldwide within two months has so far caused the deaths of more than 100,000 people worldwide. The World Health Organization has declared coronavirus a "pandemic disease" (an epidemic affecting the entire world), and countries have begun taking emergency measures against it. The 2019 model coronavirus is reminiscent of Spanish Flu, which emerged about a century ago in 1918 and affected the entire world. However, for now, it can be said that the deadly effect of coronavirus is far less than the deadly effect of Spanish Flu, but just as in Spanish Flu, a second wave can come after the first wave and its effects can be far more deadly. Because, as is known, viruses can mutate very rapidly.

Final Word

A "holistic society" approach is needed to overcome epidemics. In such a situation, in addition to medical, genetic, microbiological and biochemical factors, ecology, human behavior, demographics, and social, political and economic factors must also be considered. Managing a pandemic requires multidisciplinary and multifaceted approaches. Since epidemics are not just medical problems but also social and psychological problems, solving them requires going beyond traditional biomedical approaches. Covid-19 is a milestone in terms of global awareness. Because no pandemic has spread so rapidly and the world has never confronted the destructive effects of disease so harshly. It must be remembered that nature never backs down. Diseases rarely disappear forever. They usually re-enter the game at a time and place of their choosing. And they always determine that time and place themselves. For this reason, a cool-headed approach is necessary. This epidemic too will be overcome, but for it to be done with minimal loss, adherence to rules and solidarity are essential. In summary; throughout history, "pandemic epidemics" have caused the deaths of millions of people in the world and are likely to continue doing so. With its position as an intercontinental bridge and as an attraction for both commercial and tourism purposes, our country is unfortunately also a junction point for such diseases. In other words, no pandemic epidemic has passed through Turkey as a transit point, nor will it. For this reason, we must take very serious measures against the coronavirus, which is a candidate to be the most deadly pandemic epidemic the world has seen since Spanish Flu. However, I would like to approach the matter from a different angle and discuss solution proposals rather than emphasizing the problem. Because every crisis contains within it opportunities greater than itself, and we need to read these well to protect ourselves from even greater disasters that may come later. More importantly, we must rapidly activate relevant domestic sectors for production and create certain stocks for these diseases that can sometimes last for years. In addition to domestic hygiene products (everything related to the cleaning sector, disinfectants and related raw materials), we must definitely establish domestic vaccine and drug production centers. Instead of projects with uncertain results, clear targets must be set, and drugs such as antibiotics and painkillers must definitely be manufactured in our country. This also means that the chemical industry, particularly the cosmetics sector, will strengthen after the pandemic. The shortage of ethyl alcohol is the most striking example of this. Production is necessary and imperative. The importance of producing and selling rather than buying and selling has never been demonstrated so clearly. Once the disease eases, without falling into complacency, gaps must be quickly filled, but most importantly, this process must be completed by giving due consideration to scientific facts and scientists. History is nothing but eternal repetition and it documents to us with figures that say "pandemics are no joke." With wishes for a healthy and beautiful world.

Sources

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Prof. Dr. Nazan Apaydın Demir Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Cosmetic Products Application and Research Centre