We’re not out of the virus minefield yetHafed Al-GhwellA general view of empty streets in downtown Cairo, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, during the traditional spring holiday of 'Shem al-Neseem' on May 3, 2021. According to the International Monetary Fund, the region will probably fare better than most other parts of the world as we enter the post-pandemic recovery phase. Worse yet, the fatality rate among medical workers in Egypt is the highest in the world at a time when the entirety of the nation’s public healthcare capacities needs to be harnessed to the fullest extent. Post-pandemic recovery efforts remain part of the temporary Government of National Unity’s limited mandate, but the priority list is long. In turn, the less privileged or working poor will be forced to evade or circumvent life-saving restrictions, providing new opportunities for the virus to spread.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 08, 2021 20:03 UTC