Who has the Luxury of Washing Hands?

Yesterday an international group of country officials, business, community, and other stakeholders met virtually to discuss the growing threat of COV19 in Africa. The topic: 

Coronavirus in Africa: Stopping the Spread and the Panic 

with Lessons Learned from the Ebola Epidemic.

Given the socio-economic conditions in many of the cities, such as lack of health infrastructure, high-density urban areas, limited health labor force, limited medical supplies, poverty and lack of financial resources the pandemic disaster toll could quickly escalate beyond anything seen in China, Italy, and the US. The webinar was first in a series that will address the economic, social, physical and mental health effects of the COV19 outbreak in Africa. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) data cases are increasing rapidly. Unlike in other areas, the ability to test and assess is limited due to the lack of supplies. It was announced that Ethiopia is collaborating with a foundation to airlift testing kits and other supplies to African countries. It was noted that several other public and private sector relief efforts have also engaged in supporting the region, however more support is needed.

The list of panelists discussing the challenge included ambassadors, UN officials, academics and other country officials. What helped to put the severity of the problem into context was H.E. Sidique Wai, Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United States of America statement, " who has the luxury of washing hands, many in our countries don't have clean water."