Global COVID Testing Discussion:
BY ARUSH BHARDWAJ
Over the course of this pandemic, our contemporary society has been forced to adapt to a myriad of unforeseen ordeals. Entire nations are currently engulfed by the sheer magnitude of cases occurring, and this can, in part, be attributed to our rather protracted testing system. Despite the US conducting more tests than any other country, its testing process still remains quite time-consuming, consisting of a significant wait time (hours at a time) simply to get tested. Why has the testing process been so inefficient, and even inaccurate at times, in certain parts of the world? What sorts of disparities, in terms of testing, can be observed between nations that have successfully quelled the novel coronavirus and those that are experiencing record-breaking cases even to this day? How can we adapt to this predicament of ours? How can we bring a resolution to this testing ordeal?
As Covax (a major Initiative supported by 156 countries to develop coronavirus vaccines) aims to ensure a vaccine reaches vulnerable people in poorer nations, major countries like US and China are focusing on funding vaccine research and development on their own.
The lack of involvement of these nations could hamper the funds, and efforts of those who want to assure the global equity in supplement.
Imagine the scenario. If every country would do the same thing and try to turn the global problem into a race of who would make the vaccine first, the efforts of each one of them would not make any difference at all, and it would be more time-consuming than ever. It is simply inefficient. BUT if every nation, despite all disparities arisen, would contribute to the common goal, which would equally benefit each of them, the time when the world would be COVID-19 free would come sooner.
One shouldn’t benefit more than other, if it comes to person’s life.