Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 5-26-22 E-Edition

Thursday, May 26, 2022 | A4 | Mid Valley TiMes Editorial & Opinions
Serving the Readers of the Reedley Exponent, Dimuba Sentinel and Sanger Herald.
A Mid Valley Publishing Newspaper
Founded March 26, 1891, in a two-story building on the corner of 11th and F streets, by A.S. Jones
Guest Column
How to really close the global vaccine gap
By Michelle McMurry-Heath
Guest columnist
The United States has lent its support to a multilat- eral agreement to waive intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines. Proponents of the waiver would have us believe this will get more people vaccinated more quickly. In fact, it will do nothing of the sort.
If the waiver becomes international law, it will strip away the very legal protections that made it possible for U.S. and European companies to develop life-saving vaccines in record time.
That will leave us ill prepared for the next pandemic. Worse, an IP waiver does nothing to address the very real barriers to vaccine access in developing countries, which we urgently need to solve if we want to end this pandemic.
The fact is, the developing world is awash in Covid-19 vaccines. That doesn't mean the pandemic is over, of course. Especially in Africa, vaccination rates remain worryingly low — in some cases, they're still in the sin- gle digits.
But the problem isn't a lack of vaccines themselves. Rather, a combination of vaccine hesitancy and regula- tory, infrastructure, and logistical barriers are to blame for low inoculation rates.
We can't end the pandemic until we solve these on- the-ground problems.
For starters, global leaders need to cut through the red tape that's tying up some vaccine shipments. In 2021 alone, drug companies manufactured a staggering 11.2 billion doses, enough to give two shots to every adult on the planet. But many of those doses aren't reaching the patients who need them.
Many developing countries also don't have enough trained healthcare workers to administer all the doses they've received. The 92 low-income countries receiving free shots from the World Health Organization-backed COVAX program leave 25% of their doses unused, ac- cording to Duke University researchers.
It's not too late for the global community to address these problems. They can draw on lessons learned from U.S. efforts to address vaccine hesitancy, infrastructure, and logistical challenges.
The World Health Organization and numerous NGOs can target education campaigns to push back on vaccine distrust. The WHO can also help poorer nations improve storage infrastructure. Former FDA chief Scott Gott- lieb suggests that WHO officials can take on more of the burden of record-keeping to relieve overwhelmed clinicians.
Meanwhile, the World Trade Organization can make a difference in addressing logistical challenges. New rules should limit export restrictions and reduce customs for- malities.
Unfortunately, much of WTO leaders' time has been tied up by a petition that calls for waiving intellectual property protections on Covid-19 vaccines and treat- ments. Those two governments claimed that weaken- ing IP rights would allow developing countries to access vaccines faster.
That was never true. Biotech companies succeed or fail based on intellectual property rights -- and many would go out of business if the U.S. suddenly dismantles this cornerstone of our economy, as it appears poised to do.
The world has more than enough vaccines; the chal- lenge is getting them into people's arms. Multilateral or- ganizations need to roll up their sleeves and help break down the actual barriers to vaccination.
Michelle McMurry-Heath is a physician-scientist and president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Or- ganization. This piece originally ran in the International Business Times.
Celebrate the seniors as high school graduations have arrived
Fred Hall — Publisher Emeritus Jon Earnest — Editor
Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
It's time again to celebrate the academic achievements of teens and young adults in our high schools in Dinuba, Reed- ley and Sanger along with oth- er cities in the region.
Commencement for area colleges and universities took place earlier this month, in- cluding Reedley College last week. Now, high school se- niors who've met their aca- demic requirements will again take the walk down the aisle — some again in traditional man- ners that had been displaced because of the COVID-19 pan- demic in 2020 and 2021.
Reedley High and Dinuba High both were able to return to traditional graduation cer- emonies in their respective football stadiums in 2021, and those celebrations will con- tinue as normal this year on Thursday, May 26. That also
will be the case for Immanuel High School and Orange Cove High School, who will have their respective outdoor cel- ebrations on Friday, May 27.
In two weeks, Sanger High will return to its recent tradi- tion of an indoor graduation at the Save Mart Center in Fres- no on Friday, June 10. While that's good news for the dis- trict, there probably are many longtime traditionalists who longed for continued gradua- tions at Tom Flores Stadium. Last year's ceremony was split into two separate days and returned to Sanger, but now has returned as a large indoor event.
With the many graduations and promotion ceremonies happening throughout the region, there will be plenty of crowds, distractions and hazards popping up for stu-
dents and their families. Be safe and re- sponsible, and forge some great memo- ries these next two weeks.
Congratula- tions, graduates! •••
Jon Earnest
Options to fly your flag with pride
Two important upcoming birthdays are June 14, birth date of our national flag; and July 4, birth date of our nation. If your flag is unserviceable to fly for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday and other special events, a remedy is close at hand.
Flag purchase opportunities and discounts on quality flags and side mounts for your house are readily advertised. On the way to or from the store, drop off your unserviceable flag at any fire station or police depart- ment or veterans hall for digni- fied retirement. Please do not place the flag in the trash.
The most popular size flag is a 2 1/2-foot by 4-foot sleeve mount. A tubular sleeve is sewn along the hoist end of the flag wherein a small pole is inserted into the sleeve and attached to a swivel ring at the top of the pole. The swivel ring is there to assist the flag to flip over rather than wrap over and around the pole during wind gusts.
When mounting the support bracket to the building, avoid fabric entanglement with rain gutter and shingles by mounting the bracket low enough to pro- vide safe accessibility. A pole
with a ball rather than an eagle finial also is preferable to avoid the eagle/fabric entanglement Look for a flag made of nylon, double stitched and embroi- dered stars. A quality flag can e washed on the gentle cycle with fabric softener, be color fast, and flown with pride for many years.
Our first flag was specified in only the simplest of terms: red and white stripes to repre- sent the original 13 colonies, and a blue field of white stars repre- senting each of the states, as a new constellation. The stars are the embodiment of the people.
Anthony Jewell American Legion Post 35 Reedley
Plenty to experience at Sanger Library
Summer program are start- ing at the Sanger Library, and they are all free!
The Friends of the Library (FOL) offers the following; kids movies with refreshments on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., while Color with Friends group meets to de-stress while they color and visit on Thursdays at 6 p.m. Fri- days, the Me & You Yarn Group gathers at 1 p.m. as they learn/ share their knit or crochet skills with all levels of crafters. And
beginning on June 4, Chess re- starts on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Experienced chess instructors will share their knowledge with all ages/lev- els of chess players, including beginners. You're welcome to drop in and play a few games of chess.
The library has online pro- grams and craft ideas, a book reading program with prizes, and laptops available for you to check out. The FOL also bought a Nintendo Switch for Sanger's teens to enjoy in the cool of the library during the dog days of summer.
The FOL offers lots of do- nated and gently-used books. DVDs and other materials at great prices, all of which which make excellent gifts at holiday and birthday time. There is an area for a "festered writer" of the month and a cart of free materials. Drop in and browse or, better yet, come joined our monthly meetings the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Share your ideas, infuse your energy band contribute to mak- ing the library a fun and excit- ing place for "kids" of all ages.
Hope to see you at the li- brary soon!
Rosa Huerta, President Sanger Friends of the Libtrary
QUOTE
“Books have the same enemies as people: fire, humidity, animals, weather, and their own content.”
— Paul Valery (1871-1945)
Also this week, be sure to remember your loved ones who served in the military and no longer are with us — in particular, those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. A perfect way to remember and pay tribute is to attend one of the Memorial Day ceremonies in Dinuba, Reedley or Sanger on Monday, May 30.
Jon Earnest is news-sports editor for The Times.
Letters from readers
Letters Policy
MID VALLEY TIMES invites letters from the public on any topic of local relevance. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity or brev- ity, and we reserve the right to NOT publish them if they could be deemed libelous or profane. Letters should be 350 words or less, and bear the author's name, address, and phone number. Letters can be mailed, emailed, submitted via our website, or personally delivered to: Editor, Mid Valley Times, 1130 G St, Reedley CA 93654.
Have an opinion? Want to share it?
jon@midvalleypublishing.com