Leadership Issues

Sajid Javid, who took over from Matt Hancock in June, seems to mirror his predecessor's shortcomings. Hancock previously blamed South Africa's Beta variant for a surge in UK infections, which was later proven incorrect as the UK’s Alpha variant became the dominant strain globally.

Javid, like Hancock, has no qualifications in health science, holding degrees in Politics and Economics. His banking career preceded his political endeavors, yet he, too, has adopted a travel ban on Southern Africa.

When Javid references early signs suggesting increased transmissibility or diminished vaccine effectiveness, it’s apparent he is engaging in speculation. We must rely on scientific evidence.

Current Situation in South Africa

Recent COVID-19 case increases in South Africa have been traced to university students in the greater Tshwane (Pretoria) area, particularly at the University of Technology and the University of Pretoria. The head of the ICU at Chris Hani/Baragwanath Hospital reported that the majority of COVID-19 admissions were among individuals in their 20s and 30s, with 65% unvaccinated and others having received only a single dose of Pfizer.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa, no unusual symptoms have been associated with the B.1.1.529 variant, and, as with prior variants, some cases are asymptomatic.

International media reports have sensationalized the emergence of Omicron. For example, Voice of America claimed that "worried scientists in South Africa...are scrambling to combat its lightning spread across the country." This exaggeration does not reflect the calm and methodical approach taken by South African scientists, who are conducting rigorous testing to determine Omicron's transmissibility and severity compared to previous variants.

Comparative Analysis

The WHO identifies Europe as the current epicenter of COVID-19 infections. In comparing data, the UK, with a population of 67.22 million, averages 50,000 new cases daily, while South Africa, with a population of 59.31 million, records an average of 3,000 cases per day.

I find myself feeling safer in South Africa amidst these statistics.

Shabir A. Madhi, a professor of Vaccinology at the University of the Witwatersrand, stated, “All travel bans accomplish in countries with selective red-listed countries is that they delay the inevitable.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, despite defending the US travel ban, acknowledged that the Omicron variant is likely already present in the US.

Next Steps

The WHO designated the B.1.1.529 variant as Omicron, a Variant of Concern, skipping the Greek letter Nu to avoid confusion. The variant's origins are correctly attributed to multiple countries, rather than focusing solely on South Africa.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira, a geneticist from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has urged the global community not to isolate South Africa and the continent for alerting the world about this concerning new variant. The WHO has called for enhanced surveillance and sharing of data regarding Omicron.

The mantra remains: no one is safe until everyone is safe. As of October 12, 2021, only 2.5% of vaccines had reached African nations, while developed countries are already administering booster shots.

Consequences of Travel Bans

The travel restrictions have caused significant disruption for families, travelers, and airlines during the critical holiday season, further damaging South Africa's struggling hospitality and tourism sectors, which had hoped for a revival from international visitors.

Sports events are also jeopardized, with the Netherlands cricket tour postponed and the South African leg of the United Rugby Championship delayed. South Africa is currently awaiting India's decision regarding their scheduled cricket tour in December.

The "Keep Out" message has strained familial bonds between the UK and South Africa, preventing many from celebrating Christmas together if travel restrictions persist. I commend my nephews in the UK for deciding against visiting South Africa this December due to the uncertainty surrounding travel regulations.

I empathize with those who may now have to cancel their plans. As a fully vaccinated individual, I continue to adhere to safety measures, including wearing masks in public, maintaining social distance, and sanitizing regularly.

If everyone globally follows these protocols and receives vaccinations, we should have no reason to fear Omicron. However, what we should fear are hasty political decisions made without considering the consequences.

Thanks for ruining our Christmas.

Doctors Without Borders emphasizes the importance of vaccination across South Africa:

Thank you for your attention. (I plan to be here for the long haul!)