When “Sovereignty” Risks Global Health
Indonesia’s minister of health, Siti Fadilah Supari, recently asserted that deadly viruses are the sovereign property of individual nations – even though they cross borders and could pose a pandemic threat to all the world’s peoples. He is not alone, and political leaders around the world should take very strong action to nip this dangerous and morally reprehensible concept in the bud.
NEW YORK – Here’s a concept you’ve probably never heard of: “viral sovereignty.” This dangerous idea comes to us courtesy of Indonesia’s minister of health, Siti Fadilah Supari, who asserts that deadly viruses are the sovereign property of individual nations – even though they cross borders and could pose a pandemic threat to all the world’s peoples. Political leaders around the world should take note – and take very strong action.