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After months of airBnB hopping with recently expanded family, feel incredibly grateful to be allowed back into #Vietnam to continue Hepatitis research. Currently in quarantine, which is no-nonsense. But I'm amazed that more countries haven't followed Vietnam's lead. 1/8
Despite being one of first countries to report community transmission (at a time when COVID case reports got into @NEJM) Vietnam has recorded a TOTAL of 35 deaths from COVID-19.
They have eliminated SARSCoV2 and kept economy open.
Like another planet. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc2001272
They have eliminated SARSCoV2 and kept economy open.
Like another planet. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc2001272
It's not been easy.
Borders have been shut since March.
1.3M have lost their jobs.
Economic growth is at 30y low. But it's +ve, & there are a LOT of people alive who otherwise wouldn't have been. Health system is in tact and they bought valuable time... https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vietnam-economy-gdp/vietnams-2020-economic-growth-slips-to-30-year-low-due-to-covid-19-idUSKBN29107M
Borders have been shut since March.
1.3M have lost their jobs.
Economic growth is at 30y low. But it's +ve, & there are a LOT of people alive who otherwise wouldn't have been. Health system is in tact and they bought valuable time... https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vietnam-economy-gdp/vietnams-2020-economic-growth-slips-to-30-year-low-due-to-covid-19-idUSKBN29107M
Time to set up testing, tracing, and to see what the virus would do.
They now have 2 human vaccine trials up and running and 30M doses of Oxford vaccine on its way. https://ampe.vnexpress.net/news/news/human-trials-for-vietnam-s-second-covid-19-vaccine-to-begin-this-month-4217954.html
They now have 2 human vaccine trials up and running and 30M doses of Oxford vaccine on its way. https://ampe.vnexpress.net/news/news/human-trials-for-vietnam-s-second-covid-19-vaccine-to-begin-this-month-4217954.html
Last Feb I was surprised by much of the western hemisphere's reluctance to embrace Asian policies. There was an air of arrogance and sense of exceptionalism, of being well prepared for what was to come. A lot has been learned but I fear some mistakes are being repeated.
UK gov has ruled out elimination.
Re Vietnam's success, even now I hear: "you can't trust those numbers" and "they prob have some residual SARS immunity". "It's the humidity" etc.
I'm certain it's none of these.
It's RESPECT for virus that kills millions and cripples economies.
Re Vietnam's success, even now I hear: "you can't trust those numbers" and "they prob have some residual SARS immunity". "It's the humidity" etc.
I'm certain it's none of these.
It's RESPECT for virus that kills millions and cripples economies.
Quarantine here is serious. You need a -ve swab to fly but you're treated as if infectious on arrival. Compulsory body suit and mask, even for toddlers. Luggage sprayed with disinfectant, transport in special bus to approved quarantine hotel or centre. Expensive & time consuming.
Zero COVID is hard, but achievable, and the benefits are extraordinary.
Family celebrations, stadia full of fans, gigs etc.
Vaccines will save lives but are a way off for many countries and the virus may do funky things in the interim.
Can't overstate benefit of buying time.
Family celebrations, stadia full of fans, gigs etc.
Vaccines will save lives but are a way off for many countries and the virus may do funky things in the interim.
Can't overstate benefit of buying time.
