Christian Drosten – The Leading Light

Christian Drosten is head of the Institute of Virology at the Charité Hospital in Berlin, a public health research center that has become the leading university laboratory for coronavirus research. The 48 year old is the German government’s most trusted Covid-19 consultant. He is now a pre-eminent figure in the fight against the pandemic and has become a much sought-after expert by those in high office. He has also taken the time to establish a direct link with the German public via his daily podcast, which began in late February. The podcast, Das Coronavirus-Update, is the most listened to podcast in the land.

Discipline and pragmatism

After his team was the first to identify the Sars virus in 2003, Drosten immediately made his research public, even before it was published in the scientific press. As a member of the Covid-19 taskforce, he advocates an approach based on transparency. His major contribution to the national crisis management plan is widely recognized. In early January, before the first case occurred in Germany, his team developed a Covid-19 screening test in record time that was made available worldwide in mid-January.

Despite being one of the most affected countries in Europe, Germany has a particularly low case to fatality ratio. The rapid availability of the test and the massive screening campaign have been the pillars of German crisis management, with the Institute of Virology as its cornerstone.

Germany's health response is considered exemplary and public opinion is beginning to discover who Christian Drosten is. He is on every front. He is clarifying, anticipating, advising and above all demystifying and rectifying matters. He was also the one to advocate a slow and cautious deconfinement at a time when many were calling for a rapid resumption of activities. Although very little media emphasis is placed on the virologist in Germany, he is described there as a "guide" and a "national hero".

The German Chancellor's expert opinion is sought from him, and his words sway public opinion. Through this crisis, he has demonstrated his propensity to simultaneously inform the federal government and the public at large. Everyone, from ordinary citizens to the highest authorities, has access to common, transparent and rigorous information. His commitment against the virus' lethality makes him extremely concerned about a rapid deconfinement. Rushing a deconfinement, as in the case of several German states, could result in the country facing "the risk of being completely out of control against the disease."

The Prevention Paradox

Christian Drosten was the first to define "the prevention paradox" during the current phase of the crisis: "With the decline in statistics and the lack of saturation of the hospital system, people feel that the system has done too much. There is great political and economic pressure to get back to normal." He advocates a very gradual deconfinement based on his belief that this is "theoretically the safest method". He expresses his doubts about restoring economic life, which he considers to be too premature. The virologist continues to advocate maintaining the restrictions until the virus "disappears". Given its federal constitution, the sixteen German states have powers to decide locally on precautionary measures, even if they are regulated by a national plan. There is now a call to challenge the precautionary approach defended by the scientist. Several regional governments have decided on an accelerated timetable for the resumption of activities and Drosten's position has been heavily criticized by certain media and political factions in recent days. Faced with criticism, he stated: "I am not a politician, I am a scientist. I can explain things as a virologist. There are other matters beyond my area of expertise. I have no political mandate." His role has propelled him in recent weeks to the rank of one of the major scientific figures of the crisis, both in Germany and internationally.

Style and content

Christian Drosten directed the research leading to breakthroughs during the 2003 Sars epidemic and his university institute was the first to develop a Covid-19 screening test in Europe. Not only are the innovations present, but he also introduced his ability to communicate with the public. For him, discoveries must be shared with as many people as possible so that everyone can get an idea of the situation. In late February, he launched a daily podcast called Das Coronavirus-Update in collaboration with the public radio station NDR, which is now followed by tens of thousands of Germans. There, he breaks down the latest information, comments on developments and gets to the heart of the issues affecting humanity in a simple and objective way. Two episodes were sufficient for it to become the most popular Apple podcast in Germany. Throughout this daily 30-minute programme, the virologist answers questions asked by science journalists and listeners alike.

His approach is that of a meticulous scientist who knows all the latest research, who formulates hypotheses and who constantly questions the current state of knowledge on this virus. His honesty is praised because he never hesitates to acknowledge the unknown. He knows that his intellectual honesty does not always receive positive feedback: "Some say I am the merchant of doom and gloom ruining the economy," he says.

Cautious by nature

Christian Drosten is a scientist firmly rooted in a fact-based approach. He believes that risk management depends on a country's ability to contain an inflationary rise in the indicators of pandemic virulence. Faced with the "prevention paradox", he is in favor of a very gradual deconfinement and fears a second pandemic wave. He believes that rapid economic resumption is likely to cause a second pandemic wave that will be disastrous for the country. So far, the virus has not been defeated and no one can foresee the challenges that lie ahead for not only Germany, but for the whole world. The government has great confidence in the virologist's advice. Christian Drosten has undeniably become one of the most eminent scientists involved in this crisis.

As the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on Germany and caused general astonishment, information overload and heated debate, Christian Drosten's singular and outspoken honesty has certainly played a decisive role in ensuring that the Germans respected the confinement measures and maintained a sustained national debate.