The coronavirus began in China with one person contracting the disease. No one in the world knew that the virus would affect very many countries around the globe. The virus, through the help of human beings, got a chance of penetrating the flesh of countries ripping their ‘backbones.’ This article discusses the oxygen divide between Europe and Africa.
That is the economical part of countries. However, despite the state of the virus, many people hoped that the world would come together in fighting the disease that infects anyone, even world leaders.
Through the international guidelines of the WHO, everyone felt like fighting the coronavirus is part of their responsibility, but this is not the case. There are a lot of inequalities and politics concerning the disease in many countries across the world.
Oxygen divide and the Burden
The number of cases and deaths of coronavirus has been increasing every day. For example, the United States is in a mess because of the disease since it has the most cases of the coronavirus.
Doctors and nurses are trying to save the vulnerable people, communities and the society at large. Like in the state of Louisiana, over 65% of fatalities are about coronavirus and are of African Americans despite comprising over 30% of the total population.
The authorities advised most professional workers to work from home, forgetting the less professional ones. People like accountants and financial analysts are working at the comforts of their homes while people like cleaners are exposing themselves to the virus when working.
Great challenges in the hospital sector
Another part where we see inequalities and great challenges is the hospital sector. Many countries are trying to improvise medical facilities as the existing ones cannot withstand the pressure of the fast-spreading virus. Hospital beds and equipment are not enough for the large number of people contracting the disease and having doctors hospitalizing them.
Besides, the number of attendants to the patients is not adequate. The hope in the young people helping to fight coronavirus is all lost. Most of these young people have other diseases such as HIV/AIDS which render their efforts partially futile and hence can’t fight the disease effectively.
Ventilators and oxygen divide, the essential things of an infected person, pose a challenge among hospitals. States are facing financial challenges and lack of expertise in acquiring new ventilators and adequate provision of oxygen. Therefore, some hospitals are rationing oxygen choosing whether a person should live.
Vulnerable victims such as slum-dwellers are the ones in most danger since they cannot afford to pay for medical care. I think the people who have enough resources are the luckiest ones since ‘corrupt’ doctors will ensure that they do not cut the hands that feed them.
In others, oxygen availability is normal, but for some, oxygen is like a diamond to them-priceless. They hardly get enough supplies of medical oxygen and therefore end up losing peoples’ lives which they are to save.
Solutions To The Inequalities Challenges.
I strongly believe that if people work together, we will achieve more and save more lives. We should not accept the socio-economic differences to get the best of ourselves. People should denounce any rule that would cause the wrong belief. By so, I mean only the Europeans to use ventilators and the black to use soaps and water.
Authorities should allow border movements of the medical personnel and lift bans on exporting medical supplies to other countries. The most critical part is to ensure the availability of new devices, drugs and proper protective gear such as gloves.
More:
- Africa is Mourning Prominent Heroes Who Have Died of Coronavirus
- Sudan Locks Down Capital Khartoum after Coronavirus Cases Rise.
