African science and global opinions

Abstract

In late 2021, African scientists discovered a new variant of COVID-19. We should be proud and grateful, as should and is the world, to our scientists for identifying the latest variant of COVID and for choosing, correctly, to communicate this scientific information rapidly. But this important discovery led to global action not based on science. Wealthier countries closed their doors to our country and continent, implementing a travel ban. This reaction was despite the views of scientists in South Africa and recommendations from the World Health Organization. Since then, there have been other travel bans, other mistakes globally in managing the global pandemic.