Thread by @astroehlein

This is a map.

It looks like a simple world map with some data points on it.

But it's really a map showing an escape route.

➡️ A way out of the pandemic...

hrw.org/news/2021/12/1…

To understand how to use this escape route, you first have to understand the trap we're in.

The core of it is this: we've been facing a global pandemic, but some rich governments have been trying to treat it like a national or regional problem.

Or, worse, those rich governments have been treating the pandemic as an opportunity for a few companies in their countries to make big profits.

They've been protecting & defending those companies from the start, prioritising their demands over the needs of humanity as a whole.

There's a number of ways these governments have been doing this, but most significantly has been their uncompromising defence of business-as-usual patent rules.

We have all had to change our ways to deal with this pandemic, but these governments have refused to change theirs.

Specifically: For 15 months, the EU, UK & Switzerland have been blocking wider vaccine production globally by obstructing the #TRIPSwaiver, a proposal at the World Trade Organization to temporarily waive some intellectual property rules on vaccines & other health products.

Yes, the EU, UK & Switzerland are LITERALLY blocking wider vaccine production globally during a global pandemic.

You and I - normal people who want this pandemic to end - see this for what it is: deadly madness.

We can see this will only prolong the pandemic.

By their actions, our leaders in the EU, UK & Switzerland tell us that they don't want to end the pandemic; they want to "manage" it so a few pharma monopolies rake in big profits.

Now, they're not stupid. They know that prolonging the pandemic like this means:

☠️ more death;

☠️ more suffering;

☠️ more chances for new variants to emerge.

But stopping this is simply not their priority, like it is for the rest of us.

While humanity needs maximum production of vaccines, these leaders have allowed the pharma monopolies to set the production levels of their vaccines.

Of course, companies don't aim to maximise production; they aim to maximise profits.

The result: the global vaccine shortage.

And the result of this DELIBERATE POLICY of maintaining global vaccine shortage?

Rich governments get the jabs.

➡️ 72% of shots worldwide have been administered in high- & upper-middle-income countries.

➡️ Less than 1% in low-income countries.

nytimes.com/interactive/20…

Our leaders then lie to us, saying that national vaccination programs and endless boosters will deal with the pandemic.

This is the scenario they are creating: a merry-go-round of death for the many (and profits for a few).

They maybe hope we'll forget that this is a GLOBAL pandemic demanding a GLOBAL solution.

But we all know: the virus doesn't care where you live.

And no one is safe until everyone is safe.

A critical lie in the web of disinformation that leaders in these rich governments have been spinning is that the new vaccines are so complicated that only a few companies - ie, the monopolies they are protecting - can make them.

This may be the biggest lie of them all, in fact

In fact, of all the vaccine technologies that are in use today, the oldest are the hardest to make, and the newest – mRNA vaccines – are the easiest to make.

Read more: hrw.org/news/2021/12/1…

And this brings us back to our original map: the way out of the pandemic - for those who want to end it.

📢 Experts have identified over 100 companies around the world that could make mRNA vaccines - if only they were not prevented from doing so.

hrw.org/news/2021/12/1…

EU, UK & Swiss leaders are simply lying to say otherwise.

They are lying to protect monopoly business interests.

The rest of us have been paying the price.

From the beginning, health experts have known that a global pandemic would have to be addressed globally.

You don't really even have to be a health expert to figure that out.

And even before the vaccines were in use, this was clear.

hrw.org/report/2020/10…

But the governments of a few rich countries drove pandemic in another direction for the benefit of a few.

We need the #TRIPSwaiver at the World Trade Organization, and we need to have the new vaccine technology shared for a true #PeoplesVaccine.

peoplesvaccine.org

Now, the #TRIPSwaiver is not just about vaccines & it is not the only thing we need.

Even when it (and tech sharing) happens, it will take time to bring new production on line.

Experts say it could take 3-6 months.

But rich governments have been blocking it for 15 months.

It's not a magic wand that will make our troubles go away in an instant.

But by letting public need (rather than monopoly profits) determine vaccine production levels, we will finally START a process that can bring us to the END of the pandemic.

This map helps guide the way.

The EU Commission's propaganda continues…

Does anyone seriously think that "we're alright in our corner of the world" is something to brag about in a GLOBAL pandemic when it is the same EU Commission that is blocking wider vaccine production globally?

https://twitter.com/DanaSpinant/status/1479385329857671168

🦠 There is no "EU pandemic".

🦠 There is no "UK pandemic".

🦠 There is no "American pandemic".

🔑 There is only a GLOBAL pandemic, and it needs a GLOBAL solution, which includes GLOBAL access to - and wider GLOBAL production of - vaccines.

#PeoplesVaccine

This was perhaps the best GOOD-NEWS tweet this week.

The Irish president called for #VaccinEquity and the #TRIPSwaiver, showing not all leaders in the EU back the Commission's appalling policy of blocking wider vaccine production during a pandemic.

https://twitter.com/PresidentIRL/status/1478054879583252493