In recent weeks, the world has welcomed the developments around a series of Covid-19 vaccines. Their discovery means the most immediate impediment to global post-pandemic recovery is behind us.
The rush to develop vaccines also generated interest in the human stories of these breakthroughs. Perhaps the most notable example was the German husband and wife “power couple” who were responsible for the Pfizer vaccine.
These individuals now have their place in history. But for those working on the next phase of the fight against Covid-19, fame from individual success is unlikely. Instead, the many thousands involved in the upcoming vaccination programme will be part of a mass, but still heroic global effort.
The next phase is primarily logistical, because achieving mass immunisation does not just rest on a vaccine. It also requires complex and carefully managed strategies on the purchase, storage, allocation and transportation of jabs.
The Hope Consortium is working on strategies to immunise the world as efficiently as possible. AFP
The many thousands involved in the upcoming vaccination programme will be part of a heroic global effort
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi has recognised this by creating the Hope Consortium. This group pools the wide-ranging expertise needed to address such a global logistical challenge.
Its ambitions are bold. Already, the consortium has this month provided storage and distribution for five million doses. By next year, it aims to store and transport more than six billion.
Members of the new group include Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Rafed – a group purchasing unit created by Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company that will oversee vaccine procurement – and SkyCell, a Switzerland-based specialist in temperature-controlled containers, which keep vaccines safe as they are transported around the world.
The consortium will involve many hundreds, if not thousands, of people. It represents the importance of multilateralism in the next stage of the fight against Covid-19. It is also a good example of what public-private partnerships can achieve when they work together, in this instance, the major task of immunising as large a share of the population as possible, as quickly as possible.
This is important because true immunisation is reached only when vaccination programmes span the globe. When they are concentrated in individual nations, recovery is unnecessarily delayed.
Unfortunately, many wealthy nations are going against this advice. Canada, for example, has acquired enough jabs to immunise each citizen five times over.
It also brings no social or economic benefits. “Vaccine nationalism” ignores the fact that economies, especially those of the richest nations, are globally connected. Quashing the virus worldwide, through well-orchestrated programmes, is the only way to revive markets. In contrast, patchy immunisation risks prolonging the immense damage the pandemic has inflicted on our economies.
It would also prevent our societies returning to normal. All over the world, people shoulder social burdens, particularly those with physical and mental health conditions, the young, who have had their education and job prospects curtailed, and the elderly, many of whom are forced into isolation.
The work, therefore, of those involved in organisations such as the Hope Consortium is of enormous value and will create a much needed dynamic to get through this pandemic.
It will not be possible to thank individually those undertaking such crucial tasks. There are simply too many involved. Instead, we can thank the vision of organisations like Hope Consortium, to which these people contribute.
Isaac Newton famously observed that every scientist who advances their field is “standing on the shoulders of giants”. In this instance, the many giants across all industries and nations who work to immunise the world, will remain nameless. But they are united, and deserve our gratitude, for their determination to overcome the trauma of the pandemic.
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
Countries offering golden visas
UK Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
TV:
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm. Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.