Today was a great day for Covid vaccine logistics and supply in SA. This was however overshadowed by a spectacle of great magnitude. First things first,let us pray:
Well the government had advised yesterday that the Presidential entourage will be at OR Tambo International Airport to receive the vaccines ,and how the SABC was going to beam the festival of the vaccine live here : https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-receives-first-consignment-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-1-feb-31#
Here is the President and his team's showing respect to the vaccines. Well, clapping too. As expected ,the leaders are incapable of holding their own umbrellas.
Pictured here is the President checking the packing list. I love logistics. But then again this is a missed opportunity,there is lots of unemployed Logistics professionals,some who lost their jobs during the lockdown who could have brought in to do this.
Here we see the trucks transporting the vaccines from OR to Bloemfontein,where they will be safely stored and tested. In the USA we knew FedEx and UPS were tasked with transporting the 1st vaccine batches. It remains a dark secret here,the truck were not marked.
I suspect the decision not to communicate the names of the trucking companies is spiritual,and will aid in increasing vaccine efficacy levels. The village grapevine has it that the vaccines are not barcoded too,God knows how those are going to be scanned into inventory system.
While the spectacle was unfolding,an announcement was made that fuel prices are going up tomorrow. This means costs of last mile delivery of Covid vaccines are going to rise sharply... https://ewn.co.za/2021/02/01/sharp-rise-in-petrol-and-diesel-price-from-wednesday
Well,the government had this well planned,to avoid furore over waste of resources in welcoming the vaccines,and the sharp fuel price increase...the President announced the lifting of alcohol ban. Now everyone is proud of the President and his team.
Spotted in Jozi....