Pathogenic viruses as a global commons: The shared responsibility of pandemics

Abstract

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the international community’s approach towards pathogenic viruses needs to be re-evaluated. This commentary notes that attempts to justify viral sovereignty, either under treaties or general principles of sovereignty, are flawed. Instead, viruses share more similarities with global commons and should be treated as such. More specifically, viruses should be regarded as the shared responsibility of international society, given that all countries are responsible for the continued spread of their diseases and all stand to benefit from their eradication.