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THE DEATH OF EUROPE
a) THE PANDEMIC
1. It's over a year ago, around New Year 2019 into 2020, that news started to emerge from China regarding many cases of pneumonia from an unknown cause.
THE DEATH OF EUROPE
a) THE PANDEMIC
1. It's over a year ago, around New Year 2019 into 2020, that news started to emerge from China regarding many cases of pneumonia from an unknown cause.
2. The European Centre for Disease Control & Prevention's initial information indicated the Wuhan Wet Market was a possible source of the outbreak. On 9 January China identified a novel virus as the cause of the illnesses.
3. A crisis coordination committee meeting was held 3 weeks later, but there was little urgency attached to the proceedings, many in Brussels feeling it was all best ignored as the crisis in China was sure to die out.
4. On 14 February the ECDC's rapid risk assessment advised:
'The risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection for the EU/EEA and UK population is currently low.'
At the same time, the crisis in Northern Italy was unfolding. Russia & China would later send medics to help.
'The risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection for the EU/EEA and UK population is currently low.'
At the same time, the crisis in Northern Italy was unfolding. Russia & China would later send medics to help.
5.
b) PPE
In the meantime it was discovered that member states held little excess stock of PPE & much of it was out of date. The EU set up a PPE Procurement Scheme to bulk buy on behalf of member states.
b) PPE
In the meantime it was discovered that member states held little excess stock of PPE & much of it was out of date. The EU set up a PPE Procurement Scheme to bulk buy on behalf of member states.
6. Two months later the EU still hadn't secured any stock.
The first deliveries of PPE purchased under the scheme were despatched to member states on 8 June.
The first deliveries of PPE purchased under the scheme were despatched to member states on 8 June.
7. During this gap France requisitioned PPE & Germany banned exports of PPE.
Any member state naive enough to attempt to import PPE via another member state's transport infrastructure would have its PPE orders stolen. So much for unity.
Any member state naive enough to attempt to import PPE via another member state's transport infrastructure would have its PPE orders stolen. So much for unity.
8.
c) THE VACCINE
Not to be deterred by the inability to swiftly secure PPE, or even the ability to work out that something very infectious had reached Europe, the EU has arranged its own vaccination procurement scheme.
c) THE VACCINE
Not to be deterred by the inability to swiftly secure PPE, or even the ability to work out that something very infectious had reached Europe, the EU has arranged its own vaccination procurement scheme.
9. To date, less than 2% of the EU member state's population has received a vaccine & the procurement outlook is bleak. The Oxford vaccine has yet to be approved. £3 a pop or less, plus no special storage requirements, the hesitancy is no doubt political rather than prudent.
10. There are delays in further Pfizer vaccines whilst the factory upgrades its production (mm, call me cynical if you like, but he who pays the piper...).
To date, there have been more than 18 million Covid cases & over 400,000 fatalities among the EU member states.
To date, there have been more than 18 million Covid cases & over 400,000 fatalities among the EU member states.
11. But still they fiddle whilst Rome burns.
