I came across this article in the Dutch Boeddhistisch Dagblad about a couple of buddhists who now live in Thailand:
They had some interesting comments on corona vaccinations...
That story ties in seamlessly with the article “History repeats itself: after HIV, the rich countries are now working against the corona crisis”, also in Trouw. Just like with HIV, corona vaccines are now too expensive for the poorer countries and just like with HIV, the rich countries, including the Netherlands, refuse to lift the patents, making it impossible for poorer countries to produce cheaper variants themselves. Despite all the solemn promises about the fair distribution of the vaccines, the rich countries have simply bought in abundance, with Canada as an outlier: the inhabitants can be vaccinated 9 times with the purchased stock. 4 doses per person will soon be available for residents of the EU. The COVAX purchasing program has been started for poorer countries to redeem these solemn promises. There is now 1 dose of vaccine available for every 10 people who depend on that program.
It doesn’t seem very fair.
Comments
It's not. And if we ever want things to be more fair, we'll have to contend with the logic of capitalism and the effects of colonialism, among other things.
Yes it doesn't seem fair, but some wealthy countries are doing their bit....
The Aotearoan government is going to help our pacific island neighbours who may not be in a financial position to vaccinate their populations...
Ah yes. First Nobel Truth, followed by The Plan
Four Nobel Truths:
Give or give up ...
Ha! Ya! Duh! Ga!
Crustacean seed syllables. How do you pronounce them between your mandibles?