In what capacity are Harry and Meghan visiting New York

[IsabelBeck]

They are no longer working members of the Royal Family so have they gone to New York as private citizens?

How do they get to meet with Chelsea Clinton at the WHO offices and UN officials and politicians?

According to the Mail (I know, I know) they had federal protection.

Do Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (as they are styled there) have much clout in the US? Why?

Who are they consulting with about vaccine rollout I wonder? Are they expressing personal opinions when they’ve done no real research, or do they actually spend a lot of time talking to experts? I imagine the experts are too busy to be talking to M and H on Zoom anyway.

Yes would have far more respect if he flew over to these countries, put his fatigues on and got stuck in, instead of standing on a stage, appearing to revel in the adulation and flashing camera bulbs ( remember those Harry? hmm)

In the middle of a pandemic? When it's already been verified that in some countries the virus has changed? When he has a new baby at home, he must come back and expose them to that?

@julieca

The vaccines could be distributed. It takes political will and money. And have you even been to these countries that desperately need vaccines? Places like Uganda, Zambia, South Africa? They are not places with people living in huts and no electricity you know. In terms of distribution, you keep vaccines in a central place with a backup generator. You take out smaller amounts of vaccine that can be kept at the right temperature in a fridge powered by a cars cigarette lighter, or even a very well insulated container with no power source and inbuilt thermometer. Its not rocket science. There are logistical difficulties of course. Britain logistics were easier as they had the NHS and still it was a logistical challenge. In countries without one overarching health body it is harder, but it happens with other vaccines. The logistical challenges are overcome.

Some people on MN think African countries are a barren wasteland with the natives running around naked.

And what H&M said is nothing new, it's being said by activists all over.

In the middle of a pandemic? When it's already been verified that in some countries the virus has changed? When he has a new baby at home, he must come back and expose them to that?

Well he has travelled in a pandemic, he has isolated on arrival and return so no need to expose his children to anything. Lots of other people have small babies at home and have had to work through this pandemic with its various different mutations, NHS staff, teachers etc.

And have you even been to these countries that desperately need vaccines? Places like Uganda, Zambia, South Africa?
I have , not since Covid Though,

if you want vaccines to be distributed in Fairness , then it should prioritise Countries like Tunisia,Egypt Nigeria , South Africa, their health care system collapsed during the second and third waves in their countries.

Africa is a unique case, I remember reading how Africa will be the worst hit, ticking bomb , humanitarian crisis, but Up till now African most countries have low Covid cases and deaths, which is a blessing as some countries have weak health care systems.

@StormzyinaTCup

In the middle of a pandemic? When it's already been verified that in some countries the virus has changed? When he has a new baby at home, he must come back and expose them to that?

Well he has travelled in a pandemic, he has isolated on arrival and return so no need to expose his children to anything. Lots of other people have small babies at home and have had to work through this pandemic with its various different mutations, NHS staff, teachers etc.

You just said, fatigues boots on the ground stuck in. That would be quite mingling with the crowds. We already know South Africa had it's own mutation. Harry is not a key worker

Some people on MN think African countries are a barren wasteland with the natives running around naked.
maybe it’s just you who share these views ,

But those of us have been to many African countries know it has some of the fastest growing economies in the world, some brilliant highly qualified people . Perhaps you can read about Paul kagame the Current Rwandan president, a very progressive person who has turned his country around since the Genocide,

but it also has some very unfair governments.

@queenofarles

Some people on MN think African countries are a barren wasteland with the natives running around naked. maybe it’s just you who share these views ,

But those of us have been to many African countries know it has some of the fastest growing economies in the world, some brilliant highly qualified people . Perhaps you can read about Paul kagame the Current Rwandan president, a very progressive person who has turned his country around since the Genocide,

but it also has some very unfair governments.

I was referring to the posters who seem to have a blanket statement that there is no know how, equipment, resources and too corrupt to sustain a vaccine programme.

South Africa is actually doing well with their vaccination rollout. Zim has done well too. Most African countries are actually clued up about how to manage covid, the only thing they lack are vaccines. Most populations in Sub Saharan Africa have been very compliant with the covid protocols, no protests, wearing masks & social distancing. I know for a fact that some bought vaccines through AU , SADC etc but those vaccines are taking forever to be delivered as some Western countries have priority. So it’s not not like African countries are just waiting for freebies as they are corrupt & have unreliable electricity 😂. The situation on the ground is actually different to what some paint in here. It’s hilarious when some think we need Harry on the ground in Africa, nope he is not needed there. Nobody needs a white savior there to deliver vaccines in the bush!. Don’t people know that western countries have put most of Africa on their travel red lists? So him traveling to Lesotho for example would be very be given a side eye by so many people in Africa who are unable to travel abroad to see family . Countries have put in place their own people( experts in public health, scientists logistic tenders have been given out for transportation & storage).They know their health infrastructure and most of all who understand cultural differences between their populations. They are just waiting for vaccinations & some are having to make do with donations from China & USA and sometimes UK.

I think what they said about countries sharing their surplus vaccines is okay. It’s not controversial. Some countries in Africa have been told that they won’t have deliveries until maybe 2022 ( and for vaccines they bought ).

Why do they both assume everyone is going to sit up and listen to what they have to say though? Why would anyone care? They aren’t scientists or well informed. They’re just rather arrogant and opinionated . I genuinely don’t get it.

@Washeduponthebeach

Why do they both assume everyone is going to sit up and listen to what they have to say though? Why would anyone care? They aren’t scientists or well informed. They’re just rather arrogant and opinionated . I genuinely don’t get it.

Why does William or Charles assume that people will sit up and listen to them, they are not scientists either. Do you find them arrogant and opinionated?

I think what they said about countries sharing their surplus vaccines is okay. It’s not controversial.

I agree, but unfortunately, that is not what Harry said. He called for patents to be waived to allow for local manufacturing.

Well doubt big Pharma in western countries would ever waive their patents, most people know this. Countries like South Africa & Nigeria could have the capabilities for local manufacturing but it’s not going to happen anyway. I think it’s great to hear Harry advocating for vaccines to be shared with Commonwealth countries. Some people have time for him when he talks about it as affects them directly or indirectly. I hope those who have power & opportunity to help should do it takes to beat this pandemic everywhere on this earth

@Zuluqueen

I agree with many of your points - Harry is not and won’t be a saviour.

Facts are, it’s not as simple as pharma companies sharing the recipe. It’s to do with greedy governments.

If other countries are hoarding, surely the next best thing is to give them the recipe. As @Zuluqueen pointed out, these countries can manufacture their own vaccines. Teach the men to fish and all that.

Harry also does explain that the rich countries are stalling with distributing the vaccines, so that they expire and have to be thrown out or they go out too close to the expiry date.

They do quote the scientists. Also it's what the WHO director general has been saying for some time though.

@rubicscubicle I don’t think they will ever waive the patents. I get where Harry & the experts he talked is coming from but I think it’s a waste of time to focus on that. I think countries that have surplus vaccines and those that manufacture vaccines can and should do better. It doesn’t make sense to hoard vaccines as the world is interconnected nowadays , if there was no travel restrictions I could be in Zanzibar tomorrow😅. I’m not an expert but surely it’s better to vaccinate most of the world to prevent mutations emerging plus it’s the most humane thing to do.

There has been a lot of studies looking at lessons learned from the example of getting affordable AIDS medication into at-risk populations in Africa, and what they mostly concluded was that it wasn’t the waiving of the patent to create a generic version of the drug that was the problem. The biggest problem was that the levels of foreign assistance were not even remotely adequate to support the infrastructure and drug purchase costs that would enable the countries to manufacture their own versions of the drugs. Getting the vaccine manufacturers to waive their patent rights won’t solve this problem.

@Zuluqueen why do you think they would not share the patents. It was pointed out by WHO (and later H&M) that the research is mostly tax funded. While both can be done, manufacture and sharing. But sharing is only as strong as the countries who keep the deal. Unfortunately, most countries that manufacture have been prioritising bilateral deals.

While medical patents have always been a bone of contention, it is more urgent than ever in this unique Covid case. Mostly because of the nature of transference and the scale of the disease too. So both manufacturing and distribution should be rigorously encouraged.

According to latest WHO meetings, money is not the issue this time, infact African leaders have come out saying they are not necessarily looking for donations - as welcome as they are, they want to buy.

why do you think they would not share the patents

Astra Zeneca have already allowed production of their vaccine in other countries and Moderna have indicated that they would take no action against companies that infringe on their copyright. The problem with manufacturing is that the expertise to do it safely is not necessarily in place. Anyway there are already enough vaccines in circulation. Distribution is the issue.

[quote julieca]@Gilmorehill sorry you don't know what you are talking about. Yes there are challenges. The company I work for deals with this in developing countries and in remote areas. It costs money. It is perfectly possible to do.[/quote]
I’ve lived in a developing country and through the expat community, I knew a lot of people who were sent to set up manufacturing plants both for local companies and multinationals. It’s a bloody struggle to get all the variables right to get things produced to acceptable quality.

infact African leaders have come out saying they are not necessarily looking for donations - as welcome as they are, they want to buy.
Yes yes to this!

And this is why so many of us here are quite shocked by some of these celebs, Harry acts like your typical white saviour, He makes it sound like Africa needs him , while in reality he needs Africa , he needs the exposure every time he mentions let’s help deliver vaccine , save African wildlife etc.

Some African countries did buy their own vaccines like Morocco, and have vaccinated a great percentage of their population.

@queenofarles I don't see how you think of saviour in Harry pushing for the patents distribution. This is something everyone should do. He is not just saying, donate, he is saying share patents too.

The main thing is that African leaders are saying they would like ownership of their own destiny in a way, in that if they manufacture, they can take control, rather than wait for wealthier countries to make up their minds based on politics.

@smilesy, Mordena may not be suing, but so far nothing has happened and nothing will because people need to know the formula first - they have not indicated sharing it. AstraZeneca has shared with a few countries, but some very much affected do not have the formula. Look at what happened between South Africa and India.

These companies have been going on, trying to make it sound as if the manufacture process is too complicated for these African countries to follow. If the countries they shared with know, then so can African countries. Otherwise they will get specialists in to help. How have others been getting along. The whole thing has been clouded, Moderna will not sue anyone who uses their formula, but who actually knows their formula? AstraZeneca is sharing with some countries, which countries are those? Are they the ones most affected and saying we are ready to run with this thing?

But if the vaccines are available and needed now, what’s the point in arguing about patents? Distribution would seem to me to be the issue at this moment in time. And don’t forget, it’s not just the “recipe “ for the vaccine that is needed, but all the “ingredients” and packaging. It was a struggle for some of the manufacturers to get these because of complicated supply chains. And what about countries that are at war? I am sure that other countries will be able to produce the vaccine in the future if necessary but the immediate problem is getting already manufactured vaccines to where they are needed.

I know people in African countries who have not been able to get the vaccine because they were not amongst the first when all the publicity came about how the UK were the first to donate to particular countries etc.

A good reason to share the patent is that this virus will continue to mutate an we now know we have to live with it. So far West Africa has been lucky with relatively few deaths in comparism to some of Europe, however we do not know what the next mutation will consist of and how severe. Not sharing because they think Africans do not have the intellectual capacity to manage and take care of this is very typical. We have many academics, scientists, doctors, medics, researchers who have studied at home and travelled extensively across the world in their professions, so I think there a good number who have the skills and experience to do this. In the short term yes get the vaccines over , stop hoarding and then throwing away which is appalling in my view. But in the medium term share the patent because the Virus is not going away. UK are ready for boosters while millions in Africa haven't even had a first jab. It is extremely short sighted and makes me believe that apart from it being inhumane those who make these decisions don't actually believe that none of us are safe until we are all vaccinated.

A good reason to share the patent is that this virus will continue to mutate an we now know we have to live with it

Some vaccine scientists believe that the virus will not be able to mutate much more 🤷‍♀️ But in any case, as you say it may be necessary to produce vaccines in other places in the future. The problem is that it was presented at Global Citizen as an immediate answer to the problem of vaccine inequality, which it isn’t.