COVID-19: key questions about South Africa’s vaccine rollout plan
Ina Skosana spoke to Veronica Ueckermann, Adjunct Professor in the Department Internal Medicine at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital – one of the vaccination sites – about South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination plans.
NEWS
In first military operation under Biden, US hits Iranian-backed militias in Syria
The attack was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration. The decision appears to signal to Iran that despite overtures towards diplomacy with the Iranian nuclear deal, the United States will not tolerate attacks on its personnel in Iraq.
Gqeberha, previously Port Elizabeth, and other name changes
On Tuesday, Sports, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa officially approved various Eastern Cape name changes, including most notably Port Elizabeth being changed to Gqeberha. When questioned about the cost of the project and suggestions on how the money could be better spent to invigorate the ailing economy, the Department stated that “This transformation agenda seeks to redress the imbalances of the past, therefore no quantifiable price tag could be put on it”.
ISSUES
A no BS answer to the world’s massive manure problem
Low-cost chemical process quickly converts dung to odorless, sterile fertilizer powder that can be stored without fear of contaminating soil or water. Globally, hundreds of millions of tons of untreated or improperly treated waste are discharged into waterways and absorbed into the soil, contaminating crops and drinking water with pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli and fecal coliform.
South Africans are revolting against inept local government. Why it matters
In December 2020, in what was described as an “astonishing judgment”, a judge in the North West High Court ordered the imprisonment of the municipal manager of Kgetlengrivier for 90 days. The sentence was suspended on condition that sewage spilling into the Elands and Koster rivers be cleared up.
HEALTH
Do South Africans trust the Covid-19 vaccine and rollout process?
An Ipsos online poll showed that only 53% of adults in South Africa would be willing to be vaccinated. Israel is an excellent example of a successful plan and rollout: *Early negotiations with vaccine producers as soon as it was known that vaccines were needed and being developed. *A comprehensive education program for the entire general population.
*A central information hotline, one for the public and one for the medical community, so that people have a place to enquire about such things as concerns and vaccine reactions.
Ebola strikes West Africa again: key questions and lessons from the past
The last in West Africa occurred between 2014 and 2015 and affected Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. It was the world’s deadliest Ebola outbreak, which began in Guinea and in which more than 11,300 people died. Among these were over 500 health workers. But countries in the West African region are in a very different position seven years on. Liberia and Sierra Leone have already mobilised and activated their national response and preparedness plans. A clear indication that the political will is there.
