Governments can do multiple things at once on global #COVIDVaccine access. At risk of over-political-scienceing: Need to disntinguish 2 agenda-setting arguments re WTO waiver as "distraction"
-Govts can't do waiver and X (not a real argument)
-Govts might use to distract (fair)
-Govts can't do waiver and X (not a real argument)
-Govts might use to distract (fair)
We know (takes Baum&Jones off shelf) govts have limited political attention:
Aside: FAR too little focus on political strategy for vaccine equity. I see this as core prob of COVAX. Political agenda occupied by sharing doses (implausible) instead of knowledge to produce.
Aside: FAR too little focus on political strategy for vaccine equity. I see this as core prob of COVAX. Political agenda occupied by sharing doses (implausible) instead of knowledge to produce.
But PLENTY of political attention to both do TRIPS waiver and do tech transfer + funding. WTO negotiations will be done by trade ministers/reps with significant capacity. Issues are straightforward. I can say talking to USG, WH+State+HHS have plenty capacity to walk + chew gum.
On other hand, might the US and EU cynically engage in negotiations, drag them out, and then point to their willingness to talk on TRIPS waiver as cover while they continue vaccine nationalism? Yes. Of course.
🗣️ IR people pls explain
But Public health people should not buy in.
🗣️ IR people pls explain
But Public health people should not buy in.
In conclusion: pub health ppl, talk to poli sci. Qs are much-studied. Not a problem of insufficient political capacity, but an attempt by some to constrain the agenda. In that context, political response to achieve all the necessary policies is: keep pushing.
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