COVID-19 has pitted long term allies against each other. In a race against time, where US, along with much of the world, in need of critical medical supplies, is arm twisting nations to divert medical supplies to US, instead of them honoring manufacturing order.
AMERICA OUTBIDS THE WORLD - USES ITS FINANCIAL MIGHT
President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act, or DPA, in order to meet the growing demands of critical N95 grade masks at U.S. hospitals. While Berlin's regional interior minister, Andreas Geisel accused US of "modern piracy" where US diverted FFP-2 respirators, French authorities expressed their dismay and accused an unidentified US company of swooping up face masks meant for police officers in France.
US has denied both accusations. Canadians, similarly, are stunned to find that US President, Trump, is pressurizing its companies not to export medical supplies to Canada. This had led to a widespread outrage in Canada, whose nurses' cross borders everyday to work in US health services. Canadian's have always stood by US in their time of need.
WILL INDIA SHIP THE PROHIBITED CRITICAL DRUG TO THE USA?
However, there is undoubtedly a global demand for medical supplies which manufacturers are unable to fulfill. India has put a hold on hydroxychloroquine exports, an effective anti-malaria drug. President Trump had personally announced that hydroxychloroquine was an effective drug to treat Corona Virus.
THE MASKS ARE TO BE USED MORE LIKE INJECTION SYRINGES, TO BE DISCARDED AFTER TREATING A POSSIBLE OR A CONFIRMED COVID-19 PATIENTS
In India, hydroxychloroquine is used by healthcare professionals who work in close proximity with coronavirus patients. President Trump has used his good offices, and his personal rapport with PM Modi, to have India ship large quantities of this drug to USA.
HELLO FROM THE OTHER SIDE
President Trump has been working the phone, calling, cajoling and requesting countries across the world to supply it with medical supplies. Russian President Putin, South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, as well as Chinese president Xi Jinping, all have received urgent phone calls to come to the aid of USA.
The trend of people catching Corona Virus is on a dangerous upward trajectory, sending worrying signals across the world. With no tested vaccine in sight, the economic impact is being felt across the world. This virus is hitting hard and fast. Faster than medical science can cope up, leaving with no choice but to maintain physical distance.
The health care services is facing an unprecedented shortage of supplies of resources. It is now being loosely referred to be as devastating as previous world wars. Many analysists are predicting it to be more ravaging and life altering for this generation.
DO NOT BREATHE
Reports of medics holding their breath while treating corona virus patients because of lack of protective masks in the UK despite being promised by the government have surfaced.
Global demand for PPE is growing, as rich countries try to out-bid each other.
THE REAL HEROES
The masks, are used more like injection syringe, as a one-time consumable item and should be discarded after treating a possible or a confirmed Covid-19 patient
The courage of health care professionals in treating potential or confirmed cases even with the lack of personal protective gears (PPE) is commendable. There are no braver heroes at this point in time, than the nurses and doctors and support staff who are risking their all to fulfill their duties.
This also lays bare the inability of global community to work in harmony to ensure there is fair distribution of resources when push comes to shove.
v-patrika staff
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