Claire Doyle - Blog Post 4

After the recent discussion and threats of the new variant of COVID-19 and our class discussions, I have decided to write my blog post on World Health. There has recently been a lot of discussion and debate over another round of lockdowns and closing borders, versus vaccinations and booster shots being able to protect against this new variant. To inform myself more on the new strain, named Omicron, I read the New York Times Article Omicron: What is Known - and Still Unknown. 

This article put forth a discussion on the intense research of the new covid variant first identified in southern Africa. The World Health Organization, or WHO, has deemed Omicron a "variant of concern" which has caused scientists and public health officials to urge all to get vaccinated. Health officials see getting vaccinated as the strongest possibility for protection against this strain with, "unusually high number of mutations that have the potential to make the virus more transmissible and less susceptible to existing vaccines." New cases of Omicron have been identified in about 20 countries as of right now; although it has not been detected in the United States yet, experts and public health officials predict it is only a matter of time. 

Different countries are affected by this pandemic in different ways. More advanced nations have seen stronger and higher vaccination rates because their sense of health is stronger, like the United States, Canada, and the UK. An article we had to read for class, Silenced Voices in Global Health, discussed how over the past 5 years, the global health industry as a whole has aimed to ensure the field becomes more inclusive and diverse. This field has been dominated by white, elite men, in a top-down, global North-South enterprise. There is currently a boom in the industry aiming to spark conversation whose goal is to ensure people and communities who have typically been underrepresented that their needs and priorities are of importance. This is important during the times of a global pandemic because now more than ever diverse opinions in these major discussions are needed. 

From the New York Times article I read, I realized how much we are all in the unknown right now. Kids are in the unknown, adults are in the unknown, and even professions within the public health organizations are in the unknown. Though that is a scary thought, that is why it is vital to create a more diverse voice in the global health job field. The voices and needs of those in the global South are often overlooked and during a global pandemic they need the help from those in the global North now more than ever. 


Comments

  1. Jack de la ParraDecember 8, 2021 at 1:52 PM

    I agree with your points here. As we continue to learn more and more each day about the virus, it too is constantly changing, leaving people feeling anxious and uncertain. However, the geographhic north countries have many more resources and yet we are obnoxiously taking advantage of these opportunities by not everyone getting vaccinated. There are hundreds (probably thousands) of vaccines that get thrown out every day because not enough people will get them in time. This reflects how priviliged we are in the US as compared to other more underdeveloped countries.

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    Replies
    1. Keri GilliganDecember 10, 2021 at 1:26 PM

      I think you bring a great point up here regarding the immense privilege that we hold by being in the United States regarding the vaccine and the access we have to them. It is very sad to see the responses from many Americans and the pure ignorance surrounding this global health issue.

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  2. Keri GilliganDecember 10, 2021 at 1:25 PM

    I think your post ties in well with mine that covers the lack of representation in global health organizations. Moreover, I like the particular focus on this new variant in that it provides even more urgency to bringing this representation.

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