The majority of news outlets have framed the success of African countries response to COVID19 as puzzling & unlikely
Why? Well, it doesnāt fit w this ādeficitā narrative the media uses to define ~ 1.2 billion ppl
The success is actually not surprising! 1/4

Why? Well, it doesnāt fit w this ādeficitā narrative the media uses to define ~ 1.2 billion ppl

The success is actually not surprising! 1/4
Senegal is ranked as the 2nd best country
handling COVID 19 b/c: They relied on science, acted quickly, tackled stigma, mobilized communitiesā¦and hereās another BIG one we never hear about ...*INNOVATION* in Africa.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/09/06/covid-19-why-senegal-outpacing-us-tackling-pandemic/5659696002/ 2/4

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/09/06/covid-19-why-senegal-outpacing-us-tackling-pandemic/5659696002/ 2/4
African countries have been *incredibly* innovative during COVID-19. Few e.g.,



Using robots/drones for medical screening &food/medication/ testing kit deliveries (to lessen the frontline load)
Transitioned to being cashless!
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/07/15/889802561/a-covid-19-success-story-in-rwanda-free-testing-robot-caregivers 3/4





https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/07/15/889802561/a-covid-19-success-story-in-rwanda-free-testing-robot-caregivers 3/4
This innovation didnāt appear overnight, it's ongoing. Through collabs & ingenuity (led by young African's in STEM). Yes there are *massive* issues... But hey media
let's stop ignoring the narrative of African resilience & self empowerment, despite colonialist BS! K, thx! 4/4

All these great convos 
To clarify: Iāve emphasized STEM/innovation as itās majorly dismissed (& bias, Iām in STEM) BUT
the science works when there is community buy in, *system-wide* collaboration and trust... Africaās experience defeating diseases is a testament to this!

To clarify: Iāve emphasized STEM/innovation as itās majorly dismissed (& bias, Iām in STEM) BUT
the science works when there is community buy in, *system-wide* collaboration and trust... Africaās experience defeating diseases is a testament to this!