Pandemic, Pricks & Passports: Why COVID-19 will likely deepen global divisions and mistrust among us all.
COVID-19 is a global experience that conjoins us all. But we live in very different realities of it. Everyone on earth has been impacted by the virus and the public health measures that have responded to it. Now with vaccines rolling out is the world coming together to move towards the post-pandemic era, or are we entrenching divisions in dangerous and untested ways? It's not just the vaccinated who will enjoy more liberties going forward, but rather those who receive a certain type of vaccine. Double vaccinations of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, allow for free entry into North America, Europe and beyond. For those vaccinated in Russia, China, Cuba and India, the borders may stay shut. And for the 87.7% of people in low income countries who are awaiting a first dose? Borders and opportunities will remain closed. All the while some places like the U.S. and Quebec are preparing to give out 3rd doses. Dr. Bob is joined by his old friend and brother in arms in global health, Dr. Ryan Hoskins, to talk about why the preference of types of vaccine are among the reasons why the world is setting itself up to divide in dangerous ways. Dr Hoskins works as an emergency room physician, health policy researcher, and teacher, based at the University of British Columbia. He has worked, and continues to work, in a number of rural and remote communities across Canada, and has worked in parts of Latin America and Africa. He is interested in the cost-effectiveness of health in low-income settings, building a case for non-communicable disease treatment. He has a special interest in strep throat and rheumatic heart disease, a condition that is vastly overtreated in high income countries and under treated in low-income countries. He wishes our healthcare resource decisions were made with more transparency and more evidence. Follow Dr. Bob on Twitter: @ProfessorHuish