Thread by @Memeghnad

This hydroxychloroquine saga is quite confusing. Trying to make sense of it.

Here is what I have understood till now (please correct me if incorrect):

- HCQ is a drug used to treat malaria.
- Studies from France & China suggest it might be effective against #Coronavirus

1/n

- Doctors and researchers have disputed the studies saying there were no control groups.
- Trump administration is pushing this drug as a cure
- "Just take it. What's the harm?" is the official stand, it seems.
- India got into the mix because we banned export of HCQ.

2/n

- Trump threatened us with 'consequences' if India doesn't lift the ban.
- Modi govt partially lifts the ban based on domestic availability and requirement.
- Both Trump & Modi supporters hail this as a diplomatic win.
- 😍 tweets are exchanged between the two leaders.

3/n

Some Questions:

- In this entire saga, the HCQ still remains a questionable 'cure' against the virus, right?

- Why is this being portrayed as a "India 😍 USA" diplomatic issue when the effectiveness of the drug against #coronavirus itself is... well, questionable?

4/n

More questions:

- If HCQ is used to treat Malaria and we start exporting it in order to treat COVID-19, will there be a shortage in India and will malaria patients lose out?

- Why does everyone seem to be so focused on diplomatic brownie points & NOT the drug itself?

5/5

Side-note: Very aware about the conspiracy theories about why the push for the drug, big pharma etc etc. But let's not indulge in that pls.

Just... no.