I read a problematic but not surprising news article earlier and had to share my findings with you all. The following information comes from Aljazeera.

Two French doctors proposed testing a potential coronavirus vaccine in Africa earlier this week. The comments were made on the French television channel, LCI, during a COVID-19 discussion regarding a trial set to launch in Europe and Australia. Head of the Intensive Care Unit at the Cochin Hospital in Paris, Jean-Paul Mira, advised the following:

“It may be provocative. Should we not do this study in Africa where there are no masks, no treatment or intensive care, a little bit like it’s been done for certain AIDS studies, where among prostitutes, we try things, because we know that they are highly exposed and don’t protect themselves?”

Research director at France’s National Health Institute, Inserm, Camille Locht, replied with the following:

“You are right. And by the way, we are thinking of in parallel about a study in Africa using this same approach.”

The comments received immediate backlash, with anti-racism group SOS Racisme calling on the Conseil Supérieur de L’Audiovisuel (CSA) to condemn the remarks.

Africa has been the guinea pig for man-made diseases and vaccines for eons, so none of this surprised me. Currently, they’re the least affected by COVID-19. But the poor healthcare system in many of its countries could open the door for a disastrous outbreak.

To check out the full article, click here. If you have any additional information, feel free to comment below.

Until Next Time…