Another point worth mentioning is that Biden has politicized vaccines from the “wrong” countries. So if China or Russia offer vaccines these are described as coming “with strings attached” (NPR this morning) or as part of “vaccine diplomacy.” There are even reports that the US has pressured countries to shun these vaccines when made available. This is even more heinous than not delivering extra vaccines and it is pursued simply to ratchet up cold warish sentiments within the US and abroad. The US handling of the covid pandemic has been appalling in virtually every way. The vaccine story is just the latest chapter.
Here in Colorado, things are looking up. Biden letting an international agency decide allocations of surplus American vaccines is thumbs-up. As for one super-power saying another power’s vaccines come with “strings attached” — the person looking for a potentially life-saving jab couldn’t care less.
Smallpox was completely eradicated by vaccines, while polio and tetanus is very rare because of vaccines. Measles had a recent resurgence among the unvaccinated. Yet the covid vaccine has created more fear and political polarization because we've allowed liars and kooks to dominate the headlines in the name of "bothsiderism" and free speech..
The media (especially social media) has little accountability for the havoc that is being caused by grandstanding third world dictators and incompetent populist charlatans (yes, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Egypt and Tanzania, I'm talking to you) trying to provide cover for their own protectionist startups or other lies, why are we expecting Biden to shoulder the blame for their incompetent and weak leaders?
Yes, some places are hoarding, or have vaccine shortages and long lines of people who want to be vaccinated, but many vaccine tents sit empty as the thawed batches are thrown away because they were spoiled when no one came for them . The bigger culprits in this fight are unchallenged misinformation, disinformation, opportunism, idiocy and politicization....not vaccine availability. How is yelling at Biden for this going to help get more people into the vaccine tents for shots? Get real.
Such a lie for the Developed consumers; just another 'you are so lucky' lie. This isn't true at all. Here in Africa, I was in Kenya last week. The vaccine is widely available. Anyone who wants it just has to walk into the health office. No one wants it. Same in South Sudan. Read the news. Widely available, no one wants it. In South Africa, they are suppressing the availability to try and create a demand.
Another point worth mentioning is that Biden has politicized vaccines from the “wrong” countries. So if China or Russia offer vaccines these are described as coming “with strings attached” (NPR this morning) or as part of “vaccine diplomacy.” There are even reports that the US has pressured countries to shun these vaccines when made available. This is even more heinous than not delivering extra vaccines and it is pursued simply to ratchet up cold warish sentiments within the US and abroad. The US handling of the covid pandemic has been appalling in virtually every way. The vaccine story is just the latest chapter.
Here in Colorado, things are looking up. Biden letting an international agency decide allocations of surplus American vaccines is thumbs-up. As for one super-power saying another power’s vaccines come with “strings attached” — the person looking for a potentially life-saving jab couldn’t care less.
Smallpox was completely eradicated by vaccines, while polio and tetanus is very rare because of vaccines. Measles had a recent resurgence among the unvaccinated. Yet the covid vaccine has created more fear and political polarization because we've allowed liars and kooks to dominate the headlines in the name of "bothsiderism" and free speech..
The media (especially social media) has little accountability for the havoc that is being caused by grandstanding third world dictators and incompetent populist charlatans (yes, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Egypt and Tanzania, I'm talking to you) trying to provide cover for their own protectionist startups or other lies, why are we expecting Biden to shoulder the blame for their incompetent and weak leaders?
Yes, some places are hoarding, or have vaccine shortages and long lines of people who want to be vaccinated, but many vaccine tents sit empty as the thawed batches are thrown away because they were spoiled when no one came for them . The bigger culprits in this fight are unchallenged misinformation, disinformation, opportunism, idiocy and politicization....not vaccine availability. How is yelling at Biden for this going to help get more people into the vaccine tents for shots? Get real.
Such a lie for the Developed consumers; just another 'you are so lucky' lie. This isn't true at all. Here in Africa, I was in Kenya last week. The vaccine is widely available. Anyone who wants it just has to walk into the health office. No one wants it. Same in South Sudan. Read the news. Widely available, no one wants it. In South Africa, they are suppressing the availability to try and create a demand.