The paper discusses Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and addresses the relevance of the text to the current event, namely Covid-19. Dichotomies, such as life and death, emphasized in the book, might be connected to the tragic pandemic that caused severe health issues with fatal consequences. The concept of war is frequently employed in the realm of infectious illnesses, with its interspecies battle for existence; hence, The Art of War is pertinent to discovering solutions for world survival.
The pandemic can be related to the war because it caused global deaths and adverse consequences for communities. The responsibility of diagnosing, assessing, and managing the growing number of cases relies on the health industry, governments, and society in general (Maxwell et al. 2215). The coronavirus disease 2019 started in Wuhan, China, triggered by the new “severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV-2” and spread worldwide (Maxwell et al. 2215). Hence, with fast-growing cases and local communities spread in numerous nations, including the United States, the crisis has reached a new stage, necessitating a shift in primary fighting strategy away from China and toward worldwide mitigation. Tzu claims that the art of war is critical to the state because it is a choice between life and death, a path to safety or disaster (6). Furthermore, it is a subject of investigation that should not be overlooked.
The most crucial strategy while coping with a worldwide crisis like Covid-19 is to make proper predictions, preparations, and assessments. Tzu claims that the general who wins a war performs many calculations in his temple before the conflict (8). In contrast, the commander who loses combat prepares a few assessments ahead of time. As a result, preparations lead to triumph, and little calculations contribute to defeat. Maxwell et al. acknowledge that as COVID-19 cases spread globally, a tactical shift from confinement toward home-based mitigation and public health measures is essential (2215). The task demands swiftly scalable and sustainable techniques for the medical and public health sectors (Maxwell et al. 2215). Governments should perform studies to prepare for potential outcomes, optimize existing teams and resources, and increase capacity where it is insufficient. Tzu contends that leaders should treat the soldiers like their children to persuade them to follow into the darkest valleys (34). Similarly, governments should support, stimulate, and recognize healthcare professionals’ work because they regularly confront the infection and risk their lives.
In the battle for life, it is necessary to define weaknesses and disadvantages that may be exploited by the enemy. Tzu advises comparing and evaluating the enemy army to determine where power is abundant and weak (21). Maxwell et al. identify four significant vulnerabilities specific to the United States but have global implications (2216). First, a critical weakness that needs to be appropriately resolved is the medical arena’s poor diagnostic testing capability for the virus. Immediate and verified testing at scale should be provided to assist medical professionals and public health personnel in patient separation, evaluation, and management. Second, proactive supply chain management is necessary during times of high demand. General anxiety and fright, particularly in the age of social media, can cause or worsen actual supply shortages. Third, initiatives should be targeted to establish and exploit margin and flexibility within healthcare personnel capacity. Finally, national and global financing commitments for public health and epidemic preparation should be increased and maintained.
As the global fight against COVID-19 intensifies, the whole international community must unite in solidarity, communicate constantly, and share their skills, resources, and knowledge. According to Maxwell et al., it is necessary to utilize the hard-fought lessons of this and previous epidemics and move quickly to implement established public health and IPC concepts to turn the course against this opponent (2216). Tzu explains viable techniques that may be used when the community affected by Covid-19 is on the path between life and death. Tzu argues that the fighter who applies his wisdom will win the wars and ensure life for his subordinates (34). In contrast, the opponent will prevail if neither information nor practice is used.
To conclude, The Art of War is relevant to finding answers for global survival in crises like Covid-19. The pandemic has revealed the world’s vulnerability and instability. As an outcome, society’s way of life was turned upside down, and the planet’s population was seriously jeopardized. Preparing for additional phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively responding, like in war, need a worldwide plan with defined goals, priorities, and urgent initiatives. Immediate actions should be undertaken based on clearly stated objectives and quantifiable targets, taking into consideration knowledge, previous mistakes, and potential scenario developments. A plan for determining the strategy’s strengths and weaknesses should be developed, evidence-based, and approved at the government’s highest levels to counteract the virus’s spread. As Sun Tzu advises, a commander requires measures and good planning to win a battle. As a result, a more comprehensive plan is necessary to terminate the pandemic; countries should prioritize well-defined targets, deadlines, and schedules.
Works Cited
Maxwell, Daniel N, et al. ““The art of war” in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 71, no. 16, 2020, pp. 2215-2217.
Tzu, Sun. The Art of War. Rupa Publishing, 2016.