COVID-19 Anguish Channeled into Survivor Support, Push for Better Pandemic Policies

COVID-19 Anguish Channeled into Survivor Support, Push for Better Pandemic Policies

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The Global Accountability Platform (COVID GAP) blog series. March 30, 2023 By Nellie Bristol When Charonda Johnson’s 62-year-old father died from a COVID-19 infection in July, 2020, in addition to intense grief, she felt rage. A US Air Force Iraq war veteran, she was acutely attuned to early warnings about the unfolding pandemic and urged her family to take precautions. But the church her parents attended downplayed the threat, ignored mask mandates, and continued to hold regular services. Although, unlike the bulk of the congregation, her parents wore masks, they continued to attend services and church sponsored conferences, including those she later found out also were attended by some infected with COVID-19. “They were listening to the things that were being said in the media, listening to things they were hearing…
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COVID GAP Accountability Report, Issue 22

COVID GAP Accountability Report, Issue 22

Our Reports
March 22, 2023: COVID GAP Accountability Report Issue 22 Key Changes and Insights Since Previous Report: The Pandemic Fund received over 600 proposals in response to the call for expression of interests (EOI) for the first round of funding. The fund has $300 million available for the first round, but requests from the EOI total over $5.5 billion. The 5th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) will take place April 3- 6. Laos, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia have received oral antiviral treatments for high-risk patients through COVID Treatment Quick Start Consortium. The Duke Global Health Innovation Center is a proud partner of the COVID Global Accountability Platform (COVID GAP).  COVID GAP’s Accountability Reports highlight and analyze recent developments, track progress toward national, regional, and global targets, and identify high-priority recommendations for…
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UN High Level Pandemic Meeting Should Be Only the Beginning

UN High Level Pandemic Meeting Should Be Only the Beginning

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The Global Accountability Platform (COVID GAP) blog series. March 9, 2023 By Nellie Bristol While negotiations continue at the World Health Organization (WHO) on a new pandemic accord and amendments to the International Health Regulations, plans also are evolving toward a UN high level meeting September 20 aimed at compelling health emergency preparedness to the top levels of government. While the meeting is critical to refocusing the world’s attention, establishing a mechanism to sustain long term political support is essential to successfully countering future threats. The High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR) was called for in a UN resolution last year. Representatives for Israel and Morocco, who are co- facilitating the meeting’s preparatory process, set out a broad agenda in recently released  document as well as scheduling a hearing in May to get input from non-governmental…
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COVID GAP Accountability Report, Issue 21

COVID GAP Accountability Report, Issue 21

Our Reports
March 1, 2023: COVID GAP Accountability Report Issue 21 Key Changes and Insights Since Previous Report: The Pandemic Fund closed their call for expressions of interest on February 24th. The first call for proposals is expected to be announced in early March and applicants will have 11 weeks to submit proposals. The Governing Board plans to make funding decisions in July 2023. The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board has released a document outlining 3 tests to ensure the success of key pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response reforms. The fourth meeting of the WHO Intergovernmental Negotiating Body will run from February 27th to March 3rd. Discussion will focus on the zero draft of the Pandemic Treaty. Dr. Jean Kaseya has been selected as the first Director General of the Africa Centers for…
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