The experience of Covid-19 shows how easily catastrophe can befall our species | Raghu Karnad

A previous generation understood the destructive power of humanity. We would do well to heed their insights

Months after the end of the second world war, Albert Einstein gave an interview to urge Americans to imagine the third one. It was vital, he said, to recognise that unless another war is prevented it is likely to bring destruction on a scale ... even now hardly conceived, and that little civilisation would survive it."

Related: Jeremy Farrar: Viruses know no borders. Until every country is protected, we are all at risk'