First, to those countries that were identified as having a high volume of travel to China and later to other nations. Egypt, and then Algeria, were the first African countries with confirmed cases. Once learning of their status, the WHO sprang into action and went from readiness and prepare to response mode.
In addition to testing kits, countries were sent personal protection equipment and vital infection prevention and control equipment. The procedures for handwashing and social distancing were shared. The WHO also deployed experts on the virus throughout the continent to assist with containment and reduce widespread infection.
Yet, the US is not nearly as large as Africa in land mass or population, but as of April 3, there were 257,773 cases of COVID-19. The most in the world compared to Africa with 7,182.
What happened that the US now leads the world in COVID-19 cases and Africa has so few in comparison? Here’s how the response to the virus rolled out.
From the beginning, when China first sounded the alarm, the US failed to act quickly to prevent the spread of this virus starting with the shortage of testing kits for the virus. In fact, the US has not tested a third of its population to date.
Could the dismantling of the National Security Council unit that focused on pandemics, the group of people who would have seen COVID-19 coming and prepared us before it arrived, been a mistake?