Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan was a guest on the Pergel program broadcast on Rehber TV. In the program, which addressed the topic of illness and ordeal, Tarhan stated that 50 to 70 percent of society will emerge from the pandemic with gains.
“50 to 70 percent of society will emerge from the pandemic with gains”
Tarhan stated that 50 to 70 percent of society will emerge from the pandemic with gains, saying, “this infrastructure exists in society. This is actually a very good thing; more than half of society can learn lessons from the event. They have started asking questions like, what can I do for the world to get better, what can I do for my life to get better? This era, as you know, is an age where pleasures are glorified, an age where hedonism, pleasure, and speed are intensified. In such an era and time, we have serious potential to emerge with gains, but on the other hand, about 40 percent are experiencing internal panic and have not learned any lessons, which is also a significant figure.”
“Those who take the right position in difficult times survive and progress”
Making important evaluations regarding the pandemic period, Tarhan said, “Ultimately, according to this pandemic plan, we thought we would relax in the summer and the pandemic would end. But it did not happen that way; the second wave peaked, and now mutations are being talked about. This affects our lives even more than an earthquake, and globally. What happened? Our physical comfort was disrupted; people who never had fear of death or health anxiety before started experiencing more health anxiety. They developed fears about the future. Many things were deprived. We involuntarily became afraid to even bring our hands to our mouths. You cannot hug your loved ones. You don't have the social contact you want. As a result of all these, the world will pay a price. Those who take the right position in difficult times survive and progress. This is similar to when the wind blows; if it blows gently, everyone flies a kite. But when strong winds blow, if you take a position against the wind, your kite will stay aloft and you can fly it. Similarly, those who manage to take a position in such situations, meaning those who take their precautions, will show a healthier stance against the pandemic and be able to emerge with gains.”
“We need to know basic information to protect ourselves and continue our routines”
Stating that such crises have two aspects, Tarhan said, “there is a danger aspect and an opportunity aspect. I look at the television now, infectious disease specialists, chest disease specialists, cardiologists, and so on, appear and speak. Since they speak from their own perspectives, they explain what they believe to be true. What they explain is indeed correct, but no matter how much we watch on television or research on the internet, we cannot become a biology specialist. We cannot become a chest disease specialist, so we don't need to know these subjects as much as they do. Therefore, we need to know enough basic information to protect ourselves and continue our routines. But as we listened to them, we started thinking more danger-focused, and anxiety increased. Panic began to emerge. Instead of this, one should take precautions against the danger, then set their future goals, and continue their routine. Our relationship with the pandemic will be like our relationship with a storm. Anyone who takes precautions against the storm before winter, in summer, will continue their life, but will not leave their home when necessary. They will take their umbrella when necessary, but anyone who does not prepare themselves against it will get sick. Similarly, our relationship with the pandemic will be like our relationship with a storm; those who do this will pass through this period much more healthily.”