Africa's Technical Revolution

There were many skeptics when Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and small business resource Square, announced that he would be venturing to Africa in 2020.

Africa has steadily grown through the years, finally becoming free of its misnomer as the “Dark Continent.” With more than 600 active technology hubs (up from 422 in 2018), we see organizations with the local address, facilities, and support for technical and digital entrepreneurs making Africa the next big market in technology for the coming decades, and possibly the century!

Africa’s fifty-four countries have a total population of 1.3 billion people, and according to McKinsey, by 2025, more than 100 cities in Africa will contain over a million people. Others predict that population growth will push those numbers to 4.3 billion within the next century. Africa also has the additional advantage of a youthful population, with an average age of just under twenty-years-old. Many of these individuals have studied abroad, and even those who have not had similar opportunities are incredibly tech-savvy because of Africa’s long reliance on block-chain and mobile banking solutions.

With such young potential and energy, there is a transition away from traditional rural economies to more technologically driven. This revolution is powered by the massive migration of young people from rural to more urban areas, which, according to reporting, surpasses even China and India in this trend. In 2019, six African countries were listed in the top ten fastest-growing economies globally. These included Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Ghana emerged in the top fifteen coming in spots 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15, respectively. These countries are no longer the exception; as a whole, Africa’s overall GDP projected to reach 2.6 trillion in 2020 and increase to 4.1 trillion in 2021.

These impressive stats are attracting the attention of some of the globe’s largest investors, many of whom are positioning their companies to benefit from this rapidly emerging market to achieve maximum growth. The continent is one of the last places where economic opportunity and growth potential are extraordinary because it is virgin territory.

China has taken full advantage of this opening, exponentially building upon its long-range investments in Africa’s infrastructure projects and other projects since the 1950s. Through the Sino-Africa bilateral trade agreements and treaties, China has established businesses and projects with Saharan and Sub-Saharan African nations, investing billions of dollars.

China and Africa’s modernization efforts yield a return on investment, as companies unwilling to risk expanding into territories without a well-established consumer base or reliable supply chain are now more confident in the opportunities presented by Africa’s thriving urban centers. With so much to offer, leaders of African nations no longer have to accept the lesser share of profits.

Leaders have become more adept at negotiating agreements in the best interest of their countries. Trade agreements that preserve the African nation’s ability to achieve equitable control of the profits through various methods, such as creating reserve sectors in which no foreign entity may participate, and most often with partnership arrangements requiring a percentage of citizen ownership in the company.

These types of arrangements facilitate knowledge transfer, which is necessary for the uplifting of the nation’s citizenry. The inequity of colonialism ensured that leaders of present-day African nation’s value not only natural resources but also human capital, for, without both, freedom is illusory.

The timely implementation of technology and digital service offering by African entrepreneurs or through government partnerships has enabled citizens to access essential services during a global pandemic. There have been challenges during the quarantines, social distancing, and other measures taken to mitigate the virus’ spread. Still, it has demonstrated the need for robust technology infrastructure and entrepreneurial thinking to meet the moment.

Companies that can provide fast, secure, and reliable wireless and WiFi services are the best position to ride the next wave toward immense growth and profitability. Multinationals such as “Facebook,” have partnered with companies such as “Airtell Uganda,” and “BSC” to leverage these opportunities. This trifecta is implementing a project to deliver mobile broadband to 3 million people in Northwest Uganda. And, South Africa has also launched initiatives to connect under served communities with WiFi and has negotiated for Amazon to establish a presence in Johannesburg.

Microsoft, which has operated in Africa since 1992, also continues to expand its footprint through cloud computing. As with Western nations, cloud computing will allow African governments to more efficiently scale their technology needs by enabling off-premises solutions to deliver services that otherwise would not advance because of antiquated systems. Technology partnerships are especially crucial during this era of the global pandemic when so many vital services can only be delivered through digital and virtual platforms to reduce the spread of the virus.

Now, African governments who chose to negotiate trade agreements with global governments, and entrepreneurs seeking partnerships with corporations interested in doing business in Africa, come to the table with a new power dynamic. One which will result in the creation of long-term capital investment, hard assets, and technology, all of which will create cyclical positive earnings. Urbanization of the citizenry, higher educational opportunities, sophisticated understanding, and use of technology is fueling an era of young African consumers. They will make up the backbone of the workforce, know how to live and work in the international arena, but their heart and interest remains anchored in Africa’s ascendancy.

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• Facebook Investment in Africa to Expand Internet Capacity Moves Ahead (wsj.com)

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Covid-19 Wreaks Havoc on Mental Health and Suicide Rate

Seated, Watercolor, Image by Layers/211

UNITED STATES - The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many nations to their knees. In its short tenure, it has killed hundreds of thousands of people, has halted the world economy, and has even made its way into the locked doors of millions of quarantined homes, wreaking havoc on the mental health. No matter where you are in the world, the fear of the virus is real, and it is affecting how we go about our daily lives. People who aren’t generally used to worrying about their mental health are experiencing the effects of isolation, social distancing, quarantine, and the changing laws that force us to wear face masks and distance ourselves from others. 

Many who are struggling with social distancing and the new laws which were enacted to provide safety when interacting with other people are struggling with a lack of a basic human need—human contact. Unfortunately, the international laws that have been put in place are, in some cases, are almost as deadly as the virus itself. In 2016 the World Health Organization estimated that close to 800,000 people around the world commit suicide every day, and many sources predict that the suicide rate will rise amidst this global pandemic.

People question why multiple sources predict that there will be an increase in suicides this year during the pandemic than what is usually reported? The simple answer is this: we are living in a time when it is scary to go to the grocery store or spend time with our friends and family. Going to work or leaving our houses poses risks to those we love as Covid-19 continues to spread, having yet to hit its peak in most countries. The truth of the matter is we are cut off from the very things that help us cope with the hardships of everyday life—other people. Humans rely on each other to get through life’s difficulties, and yet, we are dealing with a pandemic that forces us to separate to manage the virus. 

Thus, the question remains, what can we do to help those struggling with their mental health during this uncertain time? For many, this would be an opportune time to seek counseling, but health care has been significantly impacted by our ability to go out and meet with doctors and therapists. Since the medical system is overwhelmingly and rightfully so, focused on helping those afflicted with Coronavirus, mental health professionals are finding new and creative ways to support their patients. They have encouraged clients to maintain their counseling sessions using tools like Teladoc and Doxy.me to help them process their emotions. These virtual sessions help patients steer clear of the types of crises for which intervention would be mandatory. In this “new normal,” healthcare providers are using virtual counseling to deter people from engaging in harmful behavior or suicidal ideations, which would result in mandatory commitment.

Companies like HearMe also fill the gap by providing users with someone to act as a “listening ear” to whom they can talk and vent about the impact of the virus. Whether quarantined alone or with family, sometimes people need a stranger to talk to whom they feel will not judge them. This app service is one of the many approaches people are using to keep people in touch and alleviate some of the stress that comes with being isolated from those we love. Becoming a listener for one of these apps has various requirements, and are generally not considered therapy, but it does require a level of patience and empathy. What is most important is that people keep an open mind and listen to the person on the other end of the phone. 

Though there are no firm statistics on the success of these apps since their popularity and growth have increased with the global shelter-in-place edicts. However, anecdotally people claim that it has saved lives and help those who are struggling. Hopefully, it is an easily accessible tool for someone on the brink of self-harm or suicide. In the U.S., the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is the first-line defense in the fight against this scourge. But, in this era of the virus, any tool or resource which is readily available may be the difference between life and death. If you are struggling to find things to do during your time in isolation, or miss connecting with other people, consider downloading positive affirmation, motivational, or listening/talk therapy apps. Though we have no affiliation with HearMe, it is one of many such services that can help people through these troubling times.

Connecting you with people around the world who are struggling during this time of uncertainty, can help bring perspective to your difficulties. In this new world in which we find ourselves, we have to rethink all aspects of our daily lives radically. We must re-engineer how we establish meaningful connections; in a sense, technology is helping to expand our “village,” our interior landscapes and external borders. We are no longer defined by national boundaries, travel restrictions, or tribalism. We are free to interact with others who are struggling with social distancing measures just as we are, and in so doing, it enables us to reconnect with our shared humanity. 

RELATED ARTICLES

• How to Prevent a Depression Spiral While Quarantined (healthline.com)

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

• Stress and Coping (CDC.gov)

• How to Manage Depression During Quarantine (psychologytoday.com)

• The coronavirus pandemic is pushing America into a mental-health crisis  (washingtonpost.com)

• Portrait of Woman on Yellow Stairwell Red Background (Engin Akyurt)

Sweet Revenge of West African Cocoa Cartels

WEST COAST, Africa - When one first thinks of chocolate, usually Europe comes to mind. As many connaisseurs of chocolate can attest, there is no sweeter pursuit than wandering the streets of Belgium or Switzerland in search of a piece of "brown heaven." Ironically, the natural resources which are critical to the success of these chocolatiers, and for which these countries are renowned, start as cocoas tree grown a continent away, in Africa. In fact, because of the plant’s need for a warm, tropical climate, there are no cocoa fields in Europe.

Ghana and the Ivory Coast, small neighboring countries on the west coast of Africa, produce over 60% of the world’s cocoa. Yet, despite demand being at an all-time high and the industry reaching a peak of $107.3bn per year, some cocoa farmers in West Africa are more impoverished now than they were in the 1970s and 80’s.

Seeking to rectify this inequity, the presidents of both countries entered into a partnership. They formed an alliance that many have dubbed the chocolate equivalent of the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) or “COPEC.” The coalition decided to stabilize the market by assessing a $400 per metric ton premium on top of the current benchmark cocoa futures prices, which is currently trading at $2500 per metric ton.

Manufacturers have agreed to the premium, after first pushing back against Ivory Coast and Ghana’s first proposal of a $2600 per metric ton minimum, stating that their interests are aligned with that of the West African cocoa farmers.

Mars’ global communications director, Josh Gerbino, said “Mars believes boosting the income of cocoa farmers while ensuring cocoa is grown sustainably is key to a thriving cocoa sector. “ A spokesperson for Hershey, Jeff Beckman, said that “cocoa farmers should be able to support their families and earn a decent standard of living…”

Though all of this may seem altruistic on the part of the manufacturers, Jonathan Parkman, the co-head of agricultural trading at Marex Spectron, believes that chocolate prices will undoubtedly go up, and he doesn’t expect the multi-billion dollar companies to foot the bill.

“Who’s paying the bill for this?” Parkman asks, “ultimately, it’ll be the consumers.”

Eric Bergman, the vice President at Brokerage JSG Commodities Inc., concurs, stating that the new premium “is essentially a $1.2 billion tax on the cocoa industry”.

In the past, when different governing bodies have attempted market manipulate, the results were short term at best. Ultimately, when commodity prices rose, the demand subsequently fell, thus defeating these efforts. For example, when chocolate prices rose to $3000 per metric ton, supply declined sharply.

In the short term, the premium may boost supply. After decades of subsistence farming, this opportunity for greater returns on investment will incentivize growers. However, as prices rise, consumer demand for the final product will likely fall, resulting in a surplus supply, which farmers cannot sell to other markets. In the long run, some analysts fear that this premium may not be in the best interest of the farmers.

Yet, the inequity in the market supply chain in which the farmers have relatively little leverage, this may be their best bet since being solely dependent on supply and demand has not benefited them. As the adage goes, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly yet expecting different results." Thus, this approach, one in which partnerships with the farmers' respective governments, provides them with the best-negotiating positions.

According to Bloomberg.com, when supply exceeded demand in 2018, the price per metric ton plummeted steeply, and farmers and their countries were left reeling. The Ivory Coast even delayed a plan to extend electricity to villages as a consequence. However, the net benefit, according to individual analysts, is that the alliance between these two powerhouse producers of chocolate is worth any potential market downturn.

Together, these nations grow more than half of the entire world’s chocolate supply. Their presidents and their administrations have been working on these proposals for years, and with change comes pain. Still, the world's desire for and consumption of chocolate is not likely to diminish. As Jonathan Parkman put it, “you’re talking about two-thirds of the world’s cocoa"… The world cannot do without that cocoa,” and therefore, Ghana and Ivory Coast hold indomitable power.

RELATED ARTICLES

• West Africa’s cocoa farmers are trapped by the global chocolate industry (quartzafrica.com)

• Cocoa Cartel Stirs Up Global Chocolate Market (wsj.com)

• Cocoa Report (jenkinssugar.com)

• Choc tactics: Ghana and Ivory Coast plot ‘Opec for cocoa (ft.com)

• Why African cocoa growers are having an OPEC moment (bloomberg.com)

Governors Hide COVID-19 Testing Kits from Feds

N95 Mask, Photo by Michael Swan

UNITED STATES, Maryland - The COVID-19 epidemic has many people feeling confused and overwhelmed, and the government's handling of the situation is not assuring. While the state governors try unsuccessfully to procure medication, often by negotiating directly with overseas manufacturers, American citizens pin their hopes the latest snake-oil promises. Amid this pandemic, it is ludicrous that toilet paper and meat have become iconic symptoms of scarcity. 

It is into this miasma of uncertainty, the ideas which arose from the first constitution and the "Articles of Confederacy" have reasserted into the national discourse. The lines of demarcation between the federal and state governments have increasingly become amplified, with each fighting about the right way to proceed in keeping the nation's people and economy safe. 

Many speculate that it is due to the economy's current state, that the president's administration is too focused on reopening America to the public and less concerned with the public's health. According to BBC News, investors are worried about the negative impact the Coronavirus pandemic on the nation's economic growth. More than 30 million people are seeking work, and unemployment hit a record high since the start of the lockdown, oil prices have crashed to a 21- year low and U.S. oil prices have turned negative for the first time.

Though all of these are genuinely frightening, experts are still reluctant to "reopen" America. Why? Because people will die. Many Americans have started to think of this as having to pick a side between saving their fellow Americans' lives and saving the country's economy. Several experts, however, feel that it is imperative for both that we keep strict lockdown orders—others state that reopening should be a slow process with mass testing to keep everyone safe. Testing has been minimal, however. Many people who exhibit symptoms are routinely denied testing until their symptoms are dire due to the lack of supplies. 

It is because of this lack that Republican Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan, who has recently secured 100,000 COVID-19 tests from South Korea, has deployed the national guard and the state police to protects these tests which he has stored at an undisclosed location. Though to some, this may sound like extreme caution bordering on paranoia; Governor Hogan cites the recent seizure of N95 masks in Massachusetts as justification.  

Earlier this year, Governor Charlie Baker, of the State of Massachusetts spent approximately three million dollars on N95 masks for care workers and first responders. The federal government unexpectedly seized these at the port of New York, and this was the first sign that something was amiss. In fact, according to USA TODAY, Marketwatch, EMS1, and WLRN, the federal government had also seized millions of masks ordered by Delaware and Florida.

After losing the first shipment, Governor Charlie Baker bought more masks, which he arranged to have flown them directly into the State of Massachusetts, using the New England Patriots' private plane. While in Maryland, Governor Hogan is still putting together a plan on how to use his new kits best. He announced in a press conference that the kits would be distributed to nursing homes and assisted-living areas and other Virus "hot spots," including an outbreak in a poultry plant on the Eastern Shore. 

Once these hotspots have been taken care of, the governor hopes to start then testing about 10,000 people per day to safely and responsibly end the strict quarantine orders.  

Two private labs have been contracted to support Maryland's state lab with processing the test swabs from the kits once they reach prearranged distribution centers. Because of the seizures, and the ubiquitous unavailability of test kits, hoarding has come under some scrutiny. Some people question why the governor is hoarding the kits with armed guards, and others yet are perplexed as to why he felt the need to purchase the tests internationally. However, FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also bought millions of dollars of tests from two South Korean companies. 

According to the Washington Post, U.S. manufacturers have been able to produce and ship tests by the millions. However, some government officials admit that there have been shortages in the supplies necessary to perform the tests, like cotton swabs, which Eric Blank, the Association of Public Health Laboratories' Chief Program Officer, refutes.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Why Wearing a Face Mask Is Encouraged in Asia, but Shunned in the U.S.(time.com)

• Unmasking Differing U.S. And South Korean Approaches To COVID-19 (forbes.com)

• Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission (cdc.gov)

• Officials in at least 6 states are accusing the federal government of quietly diverting their orders for coronavirus medical equipment (businessinsider.com

Africans in China and Covid-19

CHINA - Africans are not strangers to discrimination, scarred by the long history of the slave trade, colonial rule, and now technological dominance, the peoples of the Continent have yet to realize independence fully. The stigma of racism remains a pressing reality for many Africans in the United States, Europe, and, most recently, China. Many Western countries have a bias about Africans. They are often regarded as uncivilized, ignorant, and unhygienic, particularly those seeking asylum as refugees. These stereotypes are dangerous, but also belie the truth that many Africans are successful business people and entrepreneurs. In 2018, six of the world’s fastest-growing nations were in Africa.

Ever since the first cases of the  COVID-19 virus were reported to World Health Organization (WHO) in December 2019, Wuhan, the capital city of the Hubei province located in the central region of China, has become synonymous with the plague which purportedly originated in its “wet markets.” During the first few months of 2020, as worldwide infections and deaths increased, massive efforts to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus resulted in aggressive quarantines.

These measures have brought most countries to the brink of economic collapse and triggered a desire to scapegoat. The lockdown is detrimental to global trade and development. Adding racial discrimination, violence, and detention will only make matters worse. During the best of times, racism is a scourge deeply rooted and often denied. But, when societies face undue stress, underlying currents of xenophobia can manifest. The latest target of this blame game is the People’s Republic of China.

Unfortunately, in response to this, it appears that some have tried to shift blame to an immigrant community. It has been reported that in Guangzhou, the fifth largest city in China, some of the people have sought to blame Africans for the current outbreak.

Nicknamed ‘Little Africa,’ the prosperous southern city of Guangzhou, is home to Asia’s largest African migrant population, who come to China chasing business opportunities, reputable universities, and low living costs. Although there are no precise figures, more than 15,000 Africans, mainly from Egypt, Mali, the DRC, and Nigeria, are estimated to live in the bustling city, which forms part of the Pearl Delta Region – the largest urban area in the world in terms of size and population. More than half a million travel here each year to buy every imaginable ‘Made in China’ product, from air conditioners to fake Nike sneakers, and send them back to Africa. (Source: New Internationalist)

China has long been perceived as a homogeneous nation, but until recently, it was a relatively hidden fact that there are African citizens and permanent residents. Currently, China produces one-third of global manufacturing. Through a sheer economic will, low overhead, China’s model of state capitalism has positioned it as a formidable trading partner. It has become the primary source for both developed and emerging economies nations from which to purchase low-cost goods and technology solutions. The existing supply chain disruption has revealed the level to which China has become an indispensable player in facilitating the delivery of goods and services worldwide.

African countries have increasingly become dependent on China for investments in infrastructure, consumer goods, and even clothing. Hence, the migration of Africans to China is expected. The majority are there on business, and while some travel there on student visas courtesy of Chinese government scholarships. One can hope that with these economic relationships, Africans would be welcomed in China; unfortunately, that is not the case. Following the outbreaks, there have been reports and videos showing the maltreatment of foreigners, especially black people, in China.

The Chinese authorities have even started seizing travel documents like passports and other forms of the federal ID. Chinese landlords have evicted legal residents leaving them homeless. Some restaurants have posters saying, “Africans are not welcomed.” In a video shared on Instagram, two Black men perceived to be Africans are seen being beaten.  In an interview, a Ugandan student described her treatment and the situation in general as “inhumane.”

Though myths of Africans being immune to the virus have persisted, even though it has been proven that COVID-19 afflicts people irrespective of race, religion, or status. The Chinese believe they were able to defeat the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. With the reemergence of the virus and the likelihood of a second wave of the pandemic, some people have begun to falsely assert that foreigners, mostly Africans, are the source.

One might wonder: what the leaders of African Governments have done in response to the maltreatment of their citizens? In April, a group of African Ambassadors gathered to draft a statement requesting the cessation of the embarrassment and forceful quarantining of their citizens. To many, this seems at best, an inept and empty request that lacks enforceability due to their economic obligations. Countries like Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana are in serious debt to China. 

Though these leaders may not be in the position to do more than ask abeyance, inherent in their requests is the fact that xenophobia is unacceptable. Also, the acknowledgment that if we are to survive and possibly defeat Covid-19, we must do so as a collective. In the words of Tedros Adhanom, the WHO Chief, “we should not politicize the virus” instead of working together to defeat it as it.

RELATED ARTICLES

• China’s Top 10 Largest Cities (chinahighlights.com)

• As Africa Groans Under Debt, It Casts Wary Eye at China (wsj.com)

• Wuhan: Inside the Chinese city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak (cnn.com)

• The rise of ‘Made by China’ in America (cnbc.com)

• Chinese lending to African countries jumped tenfold in the last five years (qz.com)

• The Top Ten African Countries With the Largest Chinese Debt (africanexponent.com)

AcroYoga - A Language of Perfect Union

The mission and focus of this website informs the presentation and dialogue about stories on gender relations with a particular emphasis on women’s’ rights. Consequently, we report on stories from around the world in which women are not allowed to realize their full potential either through force or circumstance. But, not every man is bad, nor every woman abused. In fact, the state of mankind is not as dire as it seems despite all our bad behavior, and millions of men and women across the globe experience healthy and loving relationships.

AcroYoga with Hagar Tsabar and Elad Sadeh Choreography and Production by Hagar Tsabar

Balance in reporting is as important as it is in life, and the video above featuring a husband and wife practicing AcroYoga or partner yoga is a beautiful illustration of the best in us as humans. Though this is demonstrated through yoga, one need not be a practitioner to achieve the highest ideals of harmony and peace between all people as there are many paths to this destination.

For some people, the path toward peace and enlightenment is achieved through religious observance and a belief in a higher power. For others it is meditation or actively living consciously by being aware of our impact on the world and other people so that we don’t accumulate negative Karma.

For others, it is a combination of all of the above and yoga. I fall into this category as I regularly practice yoga. In Western societies, most practitioners use yoga as a form of health and fitness similar to pilates which is an exercise created by Joseph Pilates to strengthen and stretch the body to achieve a strong core.

However "the traditional purpose of Yoga, has always been to bring about a profound transformation in the person through the transcendence of the ego," (Feuerstein, Georg. The Deeper Dimension of Yoga: Theory and Practice. Boston: Shambhala, 2003)

According to the Levy, “Yoga in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism means "spiritual discipline”…..It is an activity that has been practiced for thousands of years, and it is something that has evolved and changed overtime…..the exact history and origins of yoga is uncertain; however……the earliest signs of yoga appear in ancient Shamanism. Evidence of yoga postures were found on artifacts that date back to 3000 B.C.

Evidence of Yoga is found in the oldest-existing text, Rig-Veda. Rig-Veda is a composition of hymns. Topics of the Rig-Veda include prayer, divine harmony, and greater being. Yoga originally focused on applying and understanding the world. Its focus later changed to the self. Self-enlightenment became the ultimate goal.”

Though many may take umbrage, at the end of the day “When all's said and done, all roads lead to the same end. So it's not so much which road you take, as how you take it.” ~ Charles de Lint

Editor-in-Chief: @ayannanahmias
LinkedIn: Ayanna Nahmias

Quarantine Protests Go Worldwide

Source: Tim Perdue. Flickr.com.

UNITED STATES - Many Americans look on in horror and disappointment as lock-down protesters take to the streets of California, North Carolina, Michigan, and Ohio. These, mostly, right-wing Americans march to end the lockdown enforced to combat the current Corona Virus epidemic. Their platform is simple. They believe that the lockdown infringes on their rights to work, congregate at church, hair and nail salons, and schools.

This “cabin fever” as President Trump put it, has many politicians and health-care professionals scared, and angry. Many doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers took to the streets to counter these anti-quarantine protests, by donning their scrubs and white coats to confront protesters and on some occasions bar them from continuing their march.

To some Americans, these protests seem like a phenomenon occurring only in their countries. This could not be further from the truth. Though international quarantine protests have not been covered by the media in the US; they are becoming more and more prevalent.

Anti-quarantine protesters have popped up in Canada, France, and Germany. These international protesters have similar oppositions to their American counterparts. They too feel that the counter-measures taken to flatten the curve are putting their countries’ economies at risk. The protesters do not focus on the need to quarantine to save lives by slowing the virus and giving healthcare officials the time and resources necessary to combat the disease. Instead, they take to the streets to fight for small business owners, and their jobs and in some instances their need for a haircut.

Some of the protesters’ claims do focus on saving human lives. Their fight for victims of domestic abuse, for example, can be said to focus on the well-being of others. However, Though the rise in domestic violence is more than devastating the number of lives that would be endangered if the quarantine was to end at this moment in time far exceeds the number of lives endangered by continuing it.

Protests in Canada have so far, been peaceful. This cannot be said for some of the European protests.  Protests in Paris have escalated to full scale riots. The lockdown has really intensified France’s economic inequalities.  The violence has been amplified in the past week as the protests gain traction and find their way into Parisian suburbs. Conflicts with police have escalated, trash cans and cars have been set on fire and just last week an elementary school was set on fire.

On the Polish-German border, hundreds of people protested against a Covid-19 lockdown last Friday night. Poland closed its borders for a mandatory two weeks due to the Corona Virus outbreak. Approximately 300 citizens that live in Poland but work in Germany are protesting their inability to leave their homes to go back to work. German citizens joined them in the protests though the two groups were separated by a fence to prevent people from crossing the border.

Approximately 20,000 Poles work in Germany and around 10,500 of them cross the Polish-German Border daily. Protesters are afraid that their jobs will not be waiting for them when the quarantine is finally lifted.

The Corona Virus crisis has brought virtually the entire world to its knees and it’s easy to believe that Americans are the only people reacting adversely to the quarantine efforts. It’s important to note however that these sentiments are felt worldwide. Many feel trapped in their homes, with no money, having just lost their jobs. They have no idea what the future holds. What we must keep in mind is that these measures ensure the safety of most people. While some are protesting that the quarantine may be worst than the disease, we must remember that, as Governor Andrew Cuomo stated, “the disease is death”.

 RELATED ARTICLES

• French authorities deal with protest in Paris suburbs during coronavirus lockdown (cbc.ca)

• Hundreds Protest Against Lockdown at Polish-German Border (nytimes.com)

• The anti-quarantine protests seem spontaneous. But behind the scenes, a powerful network is helping. (washingtonpost.com)

• These are the people behind the anti-quarantine protest events that Facebook is shutting down (Inquirer.com)

Will Kim Yo-jong Join the Ranks of Female Leaders?

Kim Jong-un, Photo by Victoria Borodinova.

PYONGYANG, North Korea — Today, reports seem to confirm the theory that North Korea's young and enigmatic leader, Kim Jong-un, 36, is believed to be dead. The United States has been consumed by the Coronavirus pandemic and the mounting death toll, which has currently topped 50,000, so the possibility of Kim's death, though noted by political pundits, has barely broken through the noise of the current national discourse.

The "supreme leader," as Jong-un is known, had been absent from the public's eye for some time, and speculations abounded regarding his ill-health. Following the death of his father, Kim Jong II, from a heart attack in 2011, Jong-un became the third-generation hereditary leader, and if he is indeed dead, he would most likely be succeeded by next heir, his sister Kim Yo-jong.

Fears of Jong-un's demise solidified when he missed an April 15 holiday honoring the founder of the country, Kim II Sung, who was his late grandfather. Then, ten days later, on the 88th anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, Kim was once again absent, prompting rumors of his demise.

If proven right, the timing could prove additionally problematic for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been seeking any win to off-set his administration's questionable response to mounting Covid-19 deaths. Trump became the first sitting president to meet with Kim, and in June 2019 stood next to him and his sister, Kim Yo-jong, in the heavily fortified demilitarized zone, which was established during the 1953 armistice which separated North and South Korea.

This third meeting between Washington and Pyongyang was unprecedented. However, these meetings were more advantageous for Kim, who had seized upon the elevation to the global stage by holding additional high-profile meetings, “four with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, and five with China's President Xi Jinping.” The U.S. meetings did not result in the promised denuclearization deal, and with the possible death of Jong-un, the potential for this deal to be realized is even more unlikely.

When asked at a White House Briefing about Kim Jong-un's condition, the president said, "I think the report was incorrect, let me just put it that way. I hear the report was incorrect. I hope it was an incorrect report," he added, and the administration failed to provide any further comment. "We have a good relationship with North Korea, I have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un, and I hope he's okay. And I think it was a fake report," Trump added.

According to Newsweek, a senior Pentagon official not authorized to speak on the record was quoted as stating that "North Korean military readiness remains within historical norms, and there is no further evidence to suggest a significant change in defensive posturing or national level leadership changes."

Until confirmation of Kim's death by U.S. intelligence agencies, we can only speculate that he is dead as asserted by a "Hong Kong Satellite T.V. executive. Her uncle is purportedly a Chinese foreign minister, and she told her 15 million followers on Weibo that she had a source saying Kim was dead.

If Kim has died, then a succession of leadership would demand that his sister, Yo-jong, assume the reigns of power. According to the Associated Press, which reported that the chances of her being appointed are "more than 90%," per Cheong Seong-chang, an analyst at the Sejong Institute in South Korea who noted that "Yong-un she has "royal blood," and "North Korea is like a dynasty." Kim's sister is reportedly feared, but a capable and accomplished leader who has been groomed for this eventuality.

"Kim Yo-jong is the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. She joined the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in 2007, eventually serving as secretariat to her father, Kim Jong-il, until his death in 2011. Kim Yo-jong continued to ascend her party's ranks under her brother's rule, taking control of his image as the first vice-department director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department and later becoming an alternate member of the WPK's powerful politburo. After making a highly publicized appearance at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kim joined her brother for his denuclearization summits with Trump." (Source: Biography.com)

It remains to be seen if the change in governance will result in the "hermit nation" becoming even more of a player in the global economy, and if under Yo-jong's leadership, the country will accelerate its modernization efforts. If so, Yo-jong will join the ranks of influential female leaders and heads of state, as she shepherds the economic development of North Korea under the auspices of China's global marketplace of state capitalism.

RELATED ARTICLES

• North Korea’s Disappearing Leader: Speculation Grows Around Kim Jong Un’s Health (forbes.com)

• Trump: Reports on N Korea's Kim Jong Un illness are 'fake' news (aljazeera.com)

• Train possibly belonging to North Korean leader spotted in resort town: think tank (reuters.com)

• Are female leaders more successful at managing the coronavirus crisis? (theguardian.com)

• Biography of Kim Yo-jong (biography.com)

• Countries currently led by Women (247wallst.com)

• Trump meets Kim Jong Un, becomes first sitting U.S. president to step into North Korea (nbcnews.com)

Editor-in-Chief: @ayannanahmias
LinkedIn: Ayanna Nahmias

Ebola Cure? DRC, WHO, and NIH Remain Hopeful

On 14 January 2016, the World Health Organization declared that Ebola had been eradicated. The 9th meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa took place by teleconference on Tuesday, 29 March 2016 from 12:30 until 15:15 hr.

African countries have acted swiftly and decisively during the Corona Virus pandemic. Many Countries, such as Ghana and Kenya have closed their borders to European travelers and others have even deported European citizens back to their countries.

Many are wondering if these measures are the reason why the number of Coronavirus cases are so low, others are questioning whether or not the African nations have the means to test the population. The answer to the low Coronavirus numbers may in fact be due, in part, to the infrastructure that was maintained since the Ebola crisis, a virus that claimed more than 11,000 lives in West Africa alone.

For the past six years, Many African countries have been maintaining and strengthening their defenses against highly contagious diseases. Some countries, like Nigeria, have even created National laboratories to study these diseases. The continent’s dedicated, hard work has paid off with the creation of not one, but two Ebola vaccines though only one is FDA approved.

The Ebola Virus was first recognized as a disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan in 1976. This disease spreads rapidly through contact with infected body fluids. It’s an extremely lethal virus and during the early outbreaks the disease had a 90% mortality rate.

Ebola killed so quickly in its early days , in fact, that people would die of the virus before they would be able to pass it to others. This trait kept its outbreaks to small, rural areas in Africa and it remained a low impact disease, infecting 2,400 people and killing 1,600 from its discovery in 1976 to the 2014 epidemic.

Ervebo, the first and currently the only FDA approved Ebola vaccine was developed and made By Merck & Co. a global healthcare company based in New-Jersey. The vaccine is said to be 100% effective if administered at least 10 days before potential exposure. The vaccine will be available near the end of 2020 and though Merck & Co. have yet to decide on a price, they have been working with Gavi, a nonprofit group that supports the global vaccine program and has strong ties in sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2014 Gavi committed $300 Million USD to manufactures as an incentive to invest in the creation of an Ebola Vaccine. By January of 2015 the Merk Vaccine was being tested in Guinea where 12,000 people who had come into contact with individuals that showed symptoms of Ebola were vaccinated. The trial proved that the vaccine had 100% efficacy, meaning everyone who received the vaccine was protected from it.

Pam Eisele, the company’s spokesperson, vows that Meck will be “making the vaccine available to Gavi-eligible countries at the lowest possible access price.” Currently Gavi works with 40 of the 54 countries in Africa and hopes to procure the vaccine for all high-risk counties as part of a set of “Ebola response tools”.

The WHO, the United Nations agencies and Gavi hope to use this vaccine’s success to help eradicate the fatal and extremely contagious disease from the continent of Africa.

America's Dark Days of Intolerance and the Lessons of Religious Judgment

I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door,
Not by the beauty of it all, nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp–
The thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal? I would love to hear your take.
How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake.

‘And why’s everyone so quiet, so somber – give me a clue.’
‘Child,’ He said, ‘they’re all in shock. They never thought they’d be seeing you!’

This story was told by Joel Osteen though the source is unknown.

Editor-in-Chief: @ayannanahmias
LinkedIn: Ayanna Nahmias

Ethiopian Airlines Leading in Women's Empowerment

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopian Airlines is one of the premier international carriers operating throughout Africa and major hubs globally. Whenever we travel to Africa for the Zimbabwe Farm Project, we fly Ethiopian Airlines. Long known as one of the safest airlines on the Continent, the recent tragedy was an aberration. A defining ethos of the airline among other things, is its commitment to women’s empowerment, as evidenced by the fact that 35% of the company's 16,000-strong workforce is female.

Amsale Gualu is Ethiopian Airlines' First Female Captain

The airline’s hiring practices speak to its vanguard status as a proponent of gender equality in Africa. In an era when women’s rights are under assault globally, it is crucial to recognize an organization where highly trained professionals responsible for the lives of so many happen to be female.

The practice of hiring and promoting women to greater levels of responsibility is no accident. Ethiopian Airlines implemented initiatives designed to provide women in the workforce with opportunities normally reserved for men. It is a strategy which has been deliberative, and as Chief Executive Officer Tewolde GabreMariam “explained that initiative celebrates women on a continent where ’gender inequality still persists.’

The all-female-crew on 8 March 2019 flew from Addis Ababa to Stockholm-Oslo using female ground crews, flight dispatchers, load controllers, ramp operators, on-board logistics staff, safety and security personnel, catering service, as well as air-traffic controllers.

Ethiopian Airlines joins other carriers which have honored International Women’s Day by organizing all-female-flights such as Air India and British Airways. On 8 March 2018, British Airways London Heathrow to Glasgow flight was facilitated by over 60 women as featured in this U.K produced video.

Disclosure: I have not been paid to write this article, nor do I have any financial stake in the company, and the opinions expressed are based upon personal experience.

Editor-in-Chief: @ayannanahmias
LinkedIn: Ayanna Nahmias