{"id":181362,"date":"2021-03-22T12:00:20","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T12:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=181362"},"modified":"2021-03-20T06:22:01","modified_gmt":"2021-03-20T06:22:01","slug":"the-scene-from-cuba-how-its-getting-so-much-right-on-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2021\/03\/the-scene-from-cuba-how-its-getting-so-much-right-on-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"The Scene from Cuba: How It\u2019s Getting So Much Right on COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A doctor shows an empty vial of the experimental Soberana 02 vaccine for COVID-19 being developed at the Molecular Immunity Center during a media tour of the facility\u2019s vaccine production in Havana on Feb. 25, 2021.
(AP Photo\/Ramon Espinosa)<\/p><\/div>\n

16 Mar 2021 – <\/em>As the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately harms underprivileged people globally<\/a>, Cuba\u2019s \u201cpeople over profit\u201d approach has been saving many lives \u2014 both on the island and abroad. From the onset, Cuba\u2019s approach has been holistic and integrated.<\/p>\n

Its response is among the most respected in the world<\/a>. Widespread confidence in the Cuban government\u2019s science-based policies, public service media messaging and volunteerism are key reasons as to why Cuba has been able to control the viral reproduction rate until mass vaccination begins.<\/p>\n

The cash-strapped Caribbean island risked opening to holiday visitors at the end of 2020 and is currently managing higher COVID-19 caseloads than ever before<\/a>. Its health experts are combining international clinical trials of its vaccine candidates with mass production. Cuba is the only Latin American country with the capacity to manufacture a vaccine<\/a> domestically other than Brazil<\/a>, which is not doing so. Cuba aims to protect its populace, then give away or sell its vaccines abroad.<\/p>\n

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A technician works with the Soberana 02 COVID-19 vaccine at the packaging processing plant of the Finlay Vaccine Institute in Havana, Cuba, in January 2021.<\/span> (Yamil Lage)<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before the virus\u2019s arrival in Cuba, the country prepared for mitigation based on best practices from Asia<\/a> and its own expertise with contagious disease.<\/p>\n

Beyond Cuba\u2019s borders, its medical diplomacy took over. Cuba\u2019s Henry Reeve Medical Brigade<\/a> has been fighting the pandemic in at least 37 countries and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize<\/a>. When COVID-19 stranded the cruise ship MS Braemar, only Cuba allowed it to dock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In contrast, many countries\u2019 pandemic responses have been haphazard, with well-funded lobby groups representing restaurants<\/a> and pharmaceutical companies<\/a>, to name just two sectors, wielding excessive influence. Oscillating virus reproduction rates have required disruptive and costly mitigation measures and resulted in illness and death. The media<\/a>, academics who include Helen Yaffe<\/a>, Emily Morris<\/a> and John Kirk<\/a> and non-governmental organizations like Havana and Oakland-based Medicc<\/a> have long documented Cuba\u2019s emulation-worthy health system.<\/p>\n

Read more: Coronavirus response: why Cuba is such an interesting case<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hard work, hard science<\/h2>\n

Care in Cuba is universal, research and training is robust and disease and disaster mitigation is well-organized. The public health-care system is co-ordinated across research institutes and centres of disease control, through to dispersed local neighbourhood clinics<\/a>. Cuba also has a near 100 per cent literacy rate<\/a>, with much attention paid to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.<\/p>\n

Cuba\u2019s achievements are the result of hard work and hard science in a not-for-profit system. The populace\u2019s confidence has been earned through science-based campaigns against the likes of HIV, Ebola, dengue fever and the Zika virus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Nations that have responded well to the pandemic have communicated clearly and factually with their people. Cuba has a tradition of multi-pronged public-service messaging<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The country\u2019s epidemiology director has become a trusted household expert through his daily news reports. Every day at 9 a.m., a seated and masked Dr. Francisco Dur\u00e1n<\/a> speaks directly to the public, noting and lamenting every fatality, detailing disease spread and treatments, answering viewer questions and sternly advising continued adherence to preventative measures.<\/p>\n

The well-known psychologist Manuel Calvi\u00f1o discusses topics such as self-discipline and positive thinking. Cheerier spots feature famous actors urging fortitude and depict groups of people following health protocols<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In cartoons, angry \u201cred meanie\u201d viruses are drowned by hand-washing<\/a> and blocked by face masks, animation heroes celebrate International Workers\u2019 Day<\/a> from their balconies, youngsters stay home to protect their grandparents and families play inside together<\/a>. The socially distanced 42nd International Festival of New Latin American Cinema<\/a> featured animated doctor\u2019s orders in its promotional video. Ubiquitously stated, sung and danced slogans<\/a> include \u201cCuba for life, with a new (masked) smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

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