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Whenever I’m interviewed by an American liberal about pandemic mutual aid, they ask solemnly “What will happen when the virus gets to Africa?“
I keep explaining that most African countries had faster, more robust responses than us. They’re actually watching the USA in horror.
I keep explaining that most African countries had faster, more robust responses than us. They’re actually watching the USA in horror.
Africa is not a monolith.
Most African countries have robust health authorities with decades of epidemic experience.
They locked down early. You know what makes them nervous? American and European NGOs and aid workers bringing the virus back into their countries.
Most African countries have robust health authorities with decades of epidemic experience.
They locked down early. You know what makes them nervous? American and European NGOs and aid workers bringing the virus back into their countries.
The countries where we face the biggest challenges are those like Libya, where CIA-backed warlords are trying to overthrow the UN-recognized official government.
Iran, Venezuela and Cuba also face massive COVID challenges due to the crippling effects of US sanctions.
Iran, Venezuela and Cuba also face massive COVID challenges due to the crippling effects of US sanctions.
Sierra Leone, which suffered the world’s worst Ebola outbreak in 2014-16, declared a 12-month emergency on 25 March, before their first case of coronavirus was even confirmed.
They restricted travel into & out of the country and banned public gatherings. https://www.umnews.org/en/news/ebola-offers-lessons-in-fighting-coronavirus-in-sierra-leone">https://www.umnews.org/en/news/e...
They restricted travel into & out of the country and banned public gatherings. https://www.umnews.org/en/news/ebola-offers-lessons-in-fighting-coronavirus-in-sierra-leone">https://www.umnews.org/en/news/e...
It’s tempting to dismiss the low number of COVID cases in African countries as simply the result of under-reporting.
However, countries like Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Mauritius have all ramped up sophisticated test-and-trace programs. https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/problem-predicting-coronavirus-apocalypse-africa-200505103847843.html">https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/o...
However, countries like Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Mauritius have all ramped up sophisticated test-and-trace programs. https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/problem-predicting-coronavirus-apocalypse-africa-200505103847843.html">https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/o...
African countries have, sadly, decades of experience dealing with HIV and Ebola
In Senegal, a laboratory has used its AIDS and Ebola experience to develop a $1 COVID-19 testing kit. There’s no way the $20 kits from Western countries can scale worldwide. https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/countingthecost/2020/04/senegal-1-covid-19-test-kit-race-vaccine-200425131112353.html">https://www.aljazeera.com/programme...
In Senegal, a laboratory has used its AIDS and Ebola experience to develop a $1 COVID-19 testing kit. There’s no way the $20 kits from Western countries can scale worldwide. https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/countingthecost/2020/04/senegal-1-covid-19-test-kit-race-vaccine-200425131112353.html">https://www.aljazeera.com/programme...
I don’t mean to suggest that all African countries are going to be OK.
We are very worried about countries experiencing “complex emergencies” involving ethnic and sectarian violence, political instability, and food insecurity.
Libya, South Sudan, and Burkina Faso worry us.
We are very worried about countries experiencing “complex emergencies” involving ethnic and sectarian violence, political instability, and food insecurity.
Libya, South Sudan, and Burkina Faso worry us.
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