Even as global focus shifted to therapeutics and vaccine trials, it is reassuring that WHO is determined to discover the origin of the virus. But the pace of investigation leaves much to be desired. In 2003, a World Health Organization team was able to identify the animal source of SARS coronavirus within weeks despite the … Continue reading Why working alongside China to uncover the virus’s origin is important
Donald Trump
FDA grants emergency use authorisation for convalescent plasma, experts express concern
FDA grants emergency use authorisation for convalescent plasma even in the absence of evidence from randomised, controlled trial. Mr. Trump, FDA Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Human Services made a false claim that convalescent plasma reduces mortality by 35%., while the preprint does not make any such claim. First it was with hydroxychloroquine, and … Continue reading FDA grants emergency use authorisation for convalescent plasma, experts express concern
U.S. withdrawal from WHO is a lose-lose proposition for all
The capricious decision to withdraw from WHO will have dire consequences for global public health. The departure of the U.S. will be a significant blow to the WHO in terms of loss of technical expertise and absent funding of about $450 million annually. The U.S. too stands to lose on health intelligence. On July 6, … Continue reading U.S. withdrawal from WHO is a lose-lose proposition for all
Coronavirus: Trump finds a scapegoat in WHO
After blaming coronavirus as democrats’ new hoax, and calling the microbe as “China virus”, WHO has now become Mr. Trump’s latest scapegoat for all the failures of his administration in containing the spread. After blaming the Democrats for investing a ‘hoax’ in the form of novel coronavirus, and pointing fingers at China by calling the … Continue reading Coronavirus: Trump finds a scapegoat in WHO
Coronavirus: Lifting the drug export ban is correct though done under pressure
Given the circumstances, it would be difficult to believe that the decision to lift the restriction was taken independent of U.S. pressure. But the pandemic has seen several countries displaying solidarity and cooperation providing essential supplies to others even while tackling the novel coronavirus in their own backyards. After imposing a blanket ban on the … Continue reading Coronavirus: Lifting the drug export ban is correct though done under pressure
COVID-19: Trump epitomises everything a President should not be during a pandemic
On January 20, both South Korea and the U.S. reported their first case of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Two months later, the U.S. has surpassed China and has the most number of cases in the world, while South Korea has largely contained the spread. President Donald Trump can now only hope that “one day — it’s … Continue reading COVID-19: Trump epitomises everything a President should not be during a pandemic
In defiance, several rogue U.S. federal agency Twitter accounts crop up
Resistance by scientists and show of support for science by the public is reaching a new peak ever since the Trump administration first stopped the U.S. National Park from using Twitter and then restricted several other federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, from communicating with the media and the public. In defiance, many “Alt” … Continue reading In defiance, several rogue U.S. federal agency Twitter accounts crop up
Trump Ctrl-Alt-Deletes climate change policies
That Donald Trump’s scepticism about climate change will adversely impact policies to address global warming became abundantly clear minutes after he become the President. The White House website deleted all mentions of climate change. Turning its attention to other agencies, the Trump administration instructed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow suit and scrub all … Continue reading Trump Ctrl-Alt-Deletes climate change policies
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