Coronavirus Thread: Worldwide Pandemic

mastermind

mastermind

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Africans slam rich nations for blocking access to generic COVID vaccines

Africans slam rich nations for blocking access to generic COVID vaccines

NAIROBI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Charities in Africa slammed rich nations on Thursday for blocking efforts to waive patents for COVID-19 vaccines, saying this would prolong the pandemic for years in poorer nations and push millions across the continent deeper into poverty.

More than 40 charities, including Amnesty International and Christian Aid, said Wednesday’s move by Western nations to prevent generic or other manufacturers making more vaccines in poorer nations was “an affront on people’s right to healthcare.”

Peter Kamalingin, Oxfam International’s Africa director, said sub-Saharan Africa - 14% of the global population - had received only 0.2% of 300 million vaccine doses administered worldwide.

“Ensuring every African can get a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine ... is the most effective way to save lives and livelihoods, keep our children in school, reduce unemployment rates and re-open our economies,” he told a news conference.

“Without it, gains made by African countries on issues of food security, democratic governance, gender justice and women’s rights will be reversed completely.”


Richer members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) blocked a push by some 80 developing countries - led by India and South Africa - to waive its Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) agreement rules on patents.

The move sent a message that African lives were less important than those of people in rich nations, Kamalingin said.

Countries such as the United States and Britain argue that protecting intellectual property rights encourages research and innovation, and that suspending those rights would not result in a sudden surge of vaccine supply.

Africa’s confirmed coronavirus caseload is almost 4 million, with more than 100,000 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

While Africa accounts for less than 4% of the 118 million cases and 2.6 million deaths recorded globally, health experts say a lack of testing and reliable data from many African nations means the true figures may be far higher.


The World Bank estimates that the new coronavirus crisis has already pushed 40 million people in sub-Saharan economies into extreme poverty, that is, living on less than $1.90 a day.

Africa needs equitable access to vaccines to prevent further lockdowns, job losses and school closures, said the charities, which included the Pan-African Fight Inequality Alliance and the East Africa Tax and Governance Network.

“Without the vaccine, the pandemic will be prolonged on the continent. Africa will be in a pandemic state for the next four or five years,” warned Mwanahamisi Singano, programme manager from the African Women’s Development and Communication Network.

“If we don’t have the vaccine, we are extending the pandemic phase and all the evil that we have seen come with it.”

Western nations have celebrated the COVAX facility - a World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine-sharing programme to aid developing nations - which has so far delivered approximately 2 million doses to a handful of African countries.

But the charities said COVAX was far from an acceptable solution as it would only result in 20% of the population in those countries being vaccinated by the end of the year.
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Regular_P

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Times quoted @the cac mamba :heh:

With Texas’ Mask Mandate Over, Workers Worry About Encroaching Virus

Bert Rossel, 39, was among those who believed that the threat posed by the virus was overblown. “It’s survival of the fittest,” Mr. Rossel said. “My B.M.I. is higher than normal. Obese people are more susceptible to corona, but it’s been over a year. I would have gotten it already.”

In Fort Worth, Charles Fuller, 22, went on Tuesday night to Neon Moon Saloon, where a trash can out front invited patrons to toss their masks, which would be burned at midnight. On Wednesday night, he and his friends planned to go bar hopping to celebrate a friend’s 21st birthday.

“It feels good to get back to normal,” he said. “It’s probably not healthy, but whatever — I already had it.”
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Capital Steez

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Thankfully was able to get the first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine today at the United Center.

Administered by the national guard. No notable side-effects or reactions so far. Can already feel a sense of relief. Thankful for this thread allowing me to stay informed throughout this past year.
 
tru_m.a.c

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FAH1223 said:
Larry Hogan isn’t going to make it so in MD esp for Baltimore and PG County :pacspit:

@mastermind @tru_m.a.c
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shyts a free for all right now. I heard some folks have just been waiting outside of vaccination spots and waiting for the throwaways.
 
sjankis630

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FAH1223 said:
Low key one of these nights I’m gonna go to CVS or Giant at night and just lurk around to see what’s up
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My sister just got her shot - 58 yrs old but with asthma like me. She called her doctor and had an appointment in about 3 days. My buddies wife who is over 65 finally got tired of waiting for the state's website to contact her so she called around and found a pharmacy in one of the grocery stores. Went by in person after she couldn't reach anyone on the phone and got an appointment. then her 32 year old daughter got one.
It seems that here in Northern VA some of the smaller pharmacies have extra shots - Johnson & Johnson - but don't seem to be linked directly or solidly with the state's database. I mean they must if they are letting people call and come in and get one when the state gov says they are overloaded.
 
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