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HomeGeopolitical CompassSub-Saharan AfricaAfrican Nations Turn The Tables, Imposing Travel Restrictions Against U.S., Europe, And...

African Nations Turn The Tables, Imposing Travel Restrictions Against U.S., Europe, And China To Stave Off Coronavirus

Author: Joe Penney

Organization/Publisher: The Intercept

Date/Place: March 15, 2020, U.S.

Type of Literature: Report 

Word Count: 1330 

Link: https://theintercept.com/2020/03/15/african-nations-turn-the-tables-imposing-travel-restrictions-against-u-s-europe-and-china-to-stave-off-coronavirus/

Keywords: Africa, Pandemic, Corona, 

 

Brief:

In the wake of the new contagion, tens of thousands of people are getting sick. The fear of coronavirus is faster than the virus itself. In this regard, Joe Penney in his article identifies how Africa may be persisting as the least-infected continent. According to health officials, remaining infrastructure from the Ebola epidemic combined with lower international air travel could be the reason for the low spread rate. Conversely, the virus’s novelty leaves many unknowns, and may be spreading unchecked due to lack of testing; there are many countries which remain unhindered. The author indicates the case of Nigeria, which is one of the largest populations of the continent, whose National Reference Laboratory provides testing and diagnosis of all epidemic prone diseases and coordinates closely with the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, high-income countries where the air travel is elevated likewise have elevated risk of the pandemic flying in with someone. The travel restrictions for Africa in the current outbreak proved to be good. Back in 2014-16, Africa was discernible as weak in the global health system. In the wake of Ebola, Africans faced travel bans to Europe and America. Corona, nonetheless, has shifted the affluences. African countries are now controlling arrivals from European countries. The author references Craig Spencer, an American doctor who provided emergency medical assistance in 2014 to people infected from Ebola. Doctor Spencer says that Africa is prepared, because with its Ebola experience it increased its human resource capacity, financial investment, and epidemic response capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. Even Senegal and Nigeria are not reporting shortages of tests which were more affected countries at the time of Ebola. The author concludes that although the developed countries are suffering a human health crisis from poor capabilities at testing facilities, a serious outbreak in Africa would be a major challenge because of likely difficulty in scaling up intensive care units and ventilators. Africa however is an example of preparedness related to pandemic, and commonalities might help the world to fill the gaps and weaknesses in the health system.

 

By: Maryam Khan, CIGA Research Associate

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