“Thank goodness, we live in the modern age and we know that coronavirus is not a curse from God, because for many years that was the perception of leprosy.” The famous British author Victoria Hislop gave her own, different perspective on the pandemic crisis, speaking in the “In discussion with ...” online series of interviews hosted by the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe.
In fact, she expressed the hope that, a year after the vaccination is produced, the pandemic problem will have been resolved. “I can’t predict the future, but I’m optimistic that we will rebuild it. I think human beings, societies are incredibly resilient – I think that there’s a strength and a resilience and a will to survive,” she stressed.
In support of her optimistic outlook, she cited the example of how incredibly quickly European societies rebuilt in the wake of World War II – physically, psychologically and economically. “If we do get the vaccine, hopefully in spring of 2021, then it will take probably a year, and we’ll look back on this terrible period and almost think, ‘Did that really happen?’ Because there is something very unreal, very surreal about it. So, my personal hope is that it will be consigned to history,” she said.
Against the backdrop of Spinalonga, the inspiration for her best-selling novel “The Island” – which was successfully adapted for Greek television – Mrs. Hislop sent a message of optimism that we will overcome the crisis, pointing out the similarities and differences between leprosy and the pandemic. Leprosy, the author said, was a disease for which there was no cure for many years, and people who had it were forced to live in isolation. But she expressed the hope that this will not happen with the coronavirus, because we now have much better science at our fingertips. Noting the social stigma attached to leprosy, she commented that “Thank goodness, we live in the modern age and we know that coronavirus is not a curse from God, because for many years that was the perception of leprosy.” The only significant similarity she sees is the need to isolate in order to limit the spread of the current disease.
Mrs. Hislop sees the necessary restrictions on our rights and daily routines as a kind of cooperation. “We’re protecting the rights of other people by agreeing to limit our own. Obviously, the really important thing is for us to have trust in the people that are making those decision,” she said. And when the pandemic is over, she said, we will assess the repercussions and make certain that all rights and freedoms are reinstated, but right now the main human right is for all of us to take care of each other and make sure we protect those who are vulnerable. The celebrated author also pointed to the positive aspects of the pandemic experience, such as that it has led to greater solidarity.
She was categorical on the matter of social rights, including healthcare. “In emergencies such as this, when so many people need medical treatment, it must be available to all of them. You can’t have a society where only the rich survive and the less fortunate don’t. It’s just immoral and wrong,” she underscored. Finally, she praised both Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, emphasising his good judgement and resolve in taking decision, and Sotiris Tsiodras, whom she called a “fantastic scientist.”
In his opening remarks, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, congratulated Mrs. Hislop on becoming a Greek citizen, which reflects her long ties with Greece and its cultural heritage. He also noted that the island of Spinalonga is a milestone in her work, but is also part of modern Greek history and proof of how another pandemic has affected thousands of people’s lives. Regarding the current pandemic, he noted that battles are being fought on two fronts: a scientific battle against the virus, and a battle to defend liberties in times when restrictions are imposed, as in the current situation. He underscored that the Greek Chairmanship focused on protection of Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights, as can be seen clearly in the text of the Athens Declaration, which is a legacy for coming generations and a “guide” for the future.
November 15, 2020