Thread by @zhanghe_goh

Starting in a couple of minutes:
#COVID19: Updates from #Singapore, a weekly seminar on the #coronavirus situation in Singapore

This week's guest is @mpkieny.

Hosted by: @profdalefisher, Dr. David Allen

@WHOGOARN

Registration webpage:
medicine.nus.edu.sg/cet/webinar/

Fall in #COVID19 death rate in past few months, situations in most regions appear to be stabilising

@profdalefisher

#Singapore cases falling as number of new cases from dormitories begin to subside

#COVID19 Lessons that can be learnt from #SouthKorea: An ideal situation in #Singapore would be a flat curve, lots of small clusters that can be shut down quickly

-@profdalefisher

2nd wave in #Iran observed after relaxing of restrictions

-@profdalefisher on region-specific #epidemiology of #COVID19

#Doctors in #Nigeria on strike because:
1) Lack of PPE
2) Underpaid for risk associated with #COVID19

-@profdalefisher on region-specific #epidemiology of #COVID19

"Light at the end of the tunnel, but still a bit of a tunnel..."

-@profdalefisher on #epidemiology trends of #COVID19 observed in dormitory residents in #Singapore

Tonight's discussion with @mpkieny is on #vaccine development for #SARSCoV2, the virus that causes #COVID19.

Vaccine for #SARSCoV2 unlikely offer lifelong protection from #COVID19

-@mpkieny, fielding questions

@mpkieny discusses the DISCOVERY and SOLIDARITY trials in this tweet below

https://twitter.com/mpkieny/status/1241980398739034112?s=20

Question on confidence on whether a #vaccine for #SARSCoV2 can be found; question cites current lack of #vaccine for #SARS and #MERS

-@mpkieny discusses challenges in #vaccine development: ultimately, this question remains an open one

Question on fair allocation of #vaccine should one be made available. Does @WHO have mechanisms to ensure fair distribution?

1/2

@mpkieny points towards pledges that have been made, and discusses the case study on distribution and donation of #H1N1 #vaccine in past years

2/2

Fielding another question raising concerns that risks of developing vaccines falls on developing countries with benefits going to more developed countries, @mpkieny suggests pre-pledging donations for #SARSCoV2 vaccine helps to reduce this inequity.

@MedsPatentPool licenses #drugs and #vaccines, current scope does not include medical devices and #diagnostics

-@mpkieny on considerations regarding licensing of #SARSCoV2 #vaccine

@mpkieny takes the opportunity to recognise #Singapore's 🇸🇬 scientific efforts and contributions towards a better understanding of #COVID19 disease and #SARSCoV2 sequences.

With that, #QnA with @mpkieny comes to an end; @profdalefisher is giving the closing address to this evening's webinar.

1/n

2/n

@profdalefisher presents some slides on roadmap for #COVID19

Slide credit: Dr. Bruce Aylward from @WHO

3/n

@profdalefisher discusses need for strengthening of health systems to advance #treatments, #vaccines, and #diagnostics; as well as financing and risk mitigation considerations

"Number of total confirmed (#COVID19) cases may become less relevant as we start to learn about asymptomatic cases"

-@profdalefisher

Lessons from this evening's webinar by Dr. Allen:
- Underfunded @WHO not in anyone's interest
- Global cooperation needed; in contrast, nationalism will undermine current efforts to combat #COVID19

Dr. Allen summarises mood of 2020: "I'm not sick, but I'm not well"

Song:

Next week's webinar will be with @ProfHeidiLarson

@WHOGOARN

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