Good People, on the piece describing how a French researcher desires to test Covid-19 vaccine in Africa, I have seen some hard comments there. Let us hold our emotions and make our case in a respectful way. The current leader of France is a STRONG friend to Africa and Nigeria. I mean, he has helped in many ways. I do not want us to miss that.
The reason I shared that post is simple: I want people to be aware so that everyone is vigilant in his or her community since we do not have governments in Africa! What the professor said was not new. Yes, many people have said that coronavirus can be tested in Africa. There is nothing wrong with that; we are part of the world and drug development needs to be global. What I found offensive was his INCENTIVE as captured in this statement, “We try things because we know that they are highly exposed and they don’t protect themselves.”
Dr. Jean Paul Mira and Dr Camille Locht made provocative racist comments in the wake of Covid- 19.
On live television, Jean Paul Mira suggested Africa should be the testing ground for Covid-19 vaccines due to their vulnerabilities.
Jean Paul Mira stated, “If I could be provocative, should we not do this study in Africa where there are no masks, treatment or intensive care, a little bit like it’s done, by the way, for certain AIDS studies or with prostitutes?”
“We try things because we know that they are highly exposed and they don’t protect themselves,” he said.
Camille Locht, the research director from France’s Inserm, responded: “You are right. And by the way, we are in the process of thinking in parallel about a study in Africa ….”
Yes, he does believe that Africans do not have governments and anything can happen here. Testing drugs in Africa happens daily. But I am not sure anyone comes with the mindset that he/she can do anything, possibly destroying lives, and laugh over it because the governments do not protect the people.
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To the good people of France, we are friends. This is not to attack any group of people.. Some of us at privileged positions have responsibilities to look out for our people. I heard the interview and was offended on this incentive. The only option was to alert my community.
This world is a work in progress – until when a French life and a Kenyan life could be seen to have the same value! If that happens, the professor’s incentive will fade.
Update: Congo Signs Up
Kinshasa (AFP) – The Democratic Republic of Congo is prepared to take part in testing of any future vaccine against the coronavirus, the head of the country’s taskforce against the pandemic said on Friday.
“We’ve been chosen to conduct these tests,” said the head of the national biological institute, Jean-Jacques Muyembe.
“The vaccine will be produced in the United States, or in Canada, or in China. We’re candidates for doing the testing here,” Muyembe told a news briefing in comments that sparked controversy in DR Congo amid charges the population was being used as guinea pigs.
Muyembe suggested that clinical trials could begin in July or August.
“At some point, COVID-19 will be uncontrollable,” the virologist said.
Testing Covid-19 Vaccines in Africa – A French Researcher Goes Racist
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