No One is Safe Until Everyone is Safe Daily News (via HT Media Ltd.)
The pandemic crisis did not allow India to accept the invitation to the G7 Summit that concluded at a pristine beach in Cornwall, England. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unavailability at the Summit reflects the reality of the world. Only the leaders of the rich G7 Nations (UK, USA, France, Japan, Italy, Germany, Canada plus the European Union) would be able to have talks without masks and have beach walks during a global pandemic.
The final communiqué of the summit is full of commitments and pledges, including vaccine donations, more funding for the COVAX facility and strengthening of the World Health Organization (WHO), among many others.
India’s COVID crisis is alarming: Is Sri Lanka’s health system prepared? Daily News (via HT Media Ltd.)
I am compelled to write this piece as a Sri Lankan based in India. I receive several calls in a day as the Sri Lankan media focuses on the Indian COVID story. India’s COVID crisis can happen in Sri Lanka too. This pandemic is so unprecedented that you cannot rely on guesses and neglect the evidence. The pandemic is not over yet. Infection rates and deaths are not decreasing, and vaccinations are not increasing. As I write, the COVID infection rates increase in both countries. Still, Sri Lanka holds a chance to avoid a possible COVID third wave catastrophe if the country socially, politically and economically prioritises its health system preparedness.