The Next Vaccine Debate: Who Gets Which Shots?
Countries around the world have approved a growing range of coronavirus vaccines, but the question health officials are now facing is who should receive which shots.
The problem is most pressing in the European Union after regulators approved the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine – the third shot that is now available. Officials in eight countries including Germany, Italy and France plan to restrict this vaccine to younger people and cite insufficient data on the vaccine’s effectiveness in older people. The doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would be reserved for the elderly.
Some scientists say targeting the vaccine to those known to be effective has been a much-needed stopgap measure, especially as variants gain momentum. Others said it would only delay injections for the people in need of protection most.
Context: When UK scientists planned large-scale clinical trials of the AstraZeneca vaccine last year, they decided not to vaccinate older participants until they knew the vaccine would be safe in younger ones. As a result, fewer elderly people were vaccinated. Britain, India and others have approved it for all adults anyway, but European officials have been more cautious.
Are you afraid of the climate? You’re not alone
The prevalence of climate fear or concerns about the effects of climate change has increased. But also the number of people working to alleviate this.
Eco-distress can manifest itself in a number of ways, e.g. B. by fear of the future or by extreme feelings of guilt with individual purchases and behavior, said Dr. Lise Van Susteren, co-founder of the Climate Psychiatry Alliance. Workshops, volunteer opportunities, and counseling specifically for this fear have sprung up in the US
For many Americans, advice on climate protection is relatively accessible. However, in some communities, especially the less affluent, this seems to be a rather rare privilege.
Where should I start: Social support networks and climate protection measures in groups can help. “When people aren’t ready or run away from grief, it will continue to haunt them,” said Sherrie Bedonie, co-founder of the Native American Counseling and Healing Collective.
If you have 6 minutes, it’s worth it
The poor in Afghanistan have been tricked into defending outposts
A network of brokers and warlords funded by the Afghan government and national police entices disadvantaged people to join militias, sometimes on false pretenses. The new recruits are ordered to hold key areas around highways in the north of the country.
Our reporters spoke to ex-militia members and local officials about the recruitment – a sign that the Afghan security forces have been undermined as the Taliban attacks continue.
The following also happens
Media between Great Britain and China: The UK Broadcasting Authority has withdrawn its license to China Global Television Network, an international news broadcaster for a Chinese state broadcaster, in part because of its affiliation with the Chinese Communist Party.
Myanmar: The country’s military government blocked access to Facebook. This is how most people access the internet as opposition to the coup mounts and civil disobedience is demanded.
Brazil mine disaster: Mining giant Vale signed an agreement to pay $ 7 billion to the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais two years after one of its dams collapsed, killing 270 people, which also caused enormous environmental damage. Eleven people are still missing.
Japan sorry: Yoshiro Mori, President of the Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee, apologized but said he would not step down for suggesting that women should limit speaking time in meetings, “otherwise we will never be able to finish” .
Snapshot: Above Dr. Sheetal Khedkar Rao, who decided last year that she could no longer practice medicine. A year into the pandemic, medical workers in the US not only feel burned out, but also traumatized by what they endured. “After a while, the emotional strain and moral harm become too great to endure,” said Dr. Rao.
What we hear: This episode of The Atlantic’s “Experiment” podcast. It deals with a location in Yellowstone National Park where one could possibly get away with murder due to a particular flaw in the US Constitution. It’s fun to listen and smart.
Now a break from the news
Cook: This lightly pickled bean sprout salad is delicately crispy and tastes light, and is a South Vietnamese favorite.
Clock: Viggo Mortensen writes, directs and plays in “Falling”, a drama about a son who deals with the spiritual decline of his father.
To do: Try these five yoga poses to get the benefits of a combination of physical and mental exercises.
Get ready to enjoy the weekend. At Home offers a comprehensive collection of ideas on what to read, cook, see, and do while staying safe at home.
And now for the background story about …
What happened in Myanmar?
Hannah Beech, our Southeast Asia office manager, spoke to The Daily podcast about the rise and fall of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar. “What this coup has proven,” said Hannah, “is that it is Aung San Suu Kyi and her relationship with the military that is at the heart of everything that has happened in the country.”
Where does Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s relationship with the military begin?
Her father was an independence hero and fought against the British. He was murdered when she was 2 years old. And in 1962 the military unleashed its first coup. During this time, Aung San Suu Kyi spent most of her years abroad. She returned to Myanmar in 1988 and gave a speech to thousands of people protesting against military rule. She gave an amazing speech. And at that moment, I think she really claimed her political birthright.
Why was Aung San Suu Kyi released from house arrest in 2010?
I think the junta had spent years, decades building a roadmap for what it called “disciplined democracy,” which is some kind of oxymoronic political system. In essence, it was a hybrid civil-military system in which there was such a facade of democracy. At the same time, the military could control the country’s main levers of power.
How do you explain your defense and, in some cases, your support for the military’s genocidal campaign against the Rohingya?
There is a feeling in Myanmar that the Rohingya are ultimately foreign invaders in the country and that in a Buddhist majority nation there are certain people who do not belong to it. And I think Aung San Suu Kyi, uncomfortable as it is, shares these beliefs.
How do we get to the point where Aung San Suu Kyi is somehow betrayed by the military and removed from power?
I think basically it’s down to their frayed and then really frosty relationship with the man who is the real ruler in Myanmar and that is Major General Min Aung Hlaing. When she refused to develop a relationship with him, she somehow left him out in the cold.
That’s it for this briefing. Until next time.
– Melina
Thank-you
Carole Landry helped write this briefing. Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh took the break from the news. You can reach the team at [email protected].
PS
• We hear “Sway”. Our latest episode features an interview with billionaire Mark Cuban.
• Here is our mini crossword and clue: Jennifer, who appeared at Biden’s inauguration (five letters). You can find all of our puzzles here.
• The New York Times set a record for its subscription business in 2020, the company said in a earnings report on Thursday.
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