Vaccines Have United Rival Nations in the Toughest of Times
History suggests that the next phase in the Covid-19 fight may be a lot more cooperative.
The U.S. and Russia engineered a “Blitzkreig against polio” while inching towards nuclear war.
Photographer: Mondadori via Getty ImagesAs the world enters the second year of a deadly pandemic, it’s hard to shake the feeling that each nation is largely on its own. From the spectacle of countries hoarding vaccines to the seemingly endless travel restrictions, the disease seems to have fueled nationalism, undercut international cooperation and heightened geopolitical tensions.
Yet even at this stage of the pandemic, history gives reason for hope. The long record of “vaccine diplomacy” confirms that diseases don’t always divide nations. In fact, the very act of fighting pathogens can foster comity and collaboration between them.