Stories about Health from January, 2022
COVID-19: You can’t have a recovery using the same bad medicine
A new collaborative report attempts to piece together the “missing receipts” from the IFI-supported COVID-19 response, documents several shortcomings, and raises critical questions for the ongoing pandemic response.
Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year is ruined by Omicron outbreak
This year, the Chinese Lunar New Year is on February 1. Yet, thanks to the community outbreak of Omicron and the zero-COVID policy, there isn't much festival mood in town.
Philippines’s new vaccine mandate decried as punitive and anti-poor
"This measure is punitive. The low vaccination rate should not be blamed on the people especially if supplies are not always available."
The Hong Kong government ordered 2,000 rodents culled. Netizens are organizing to save them
Outraged by the Hong Kong government's decision to cull some 2,000 rodents, netizens organized to save the hamsters themselves.
Netizens mock China's suggestion that Omicron was brought to Beijing via a letter from Toronto
Based on the assumption that Omicron could spread through China via international mail, the Chinese authorities urged the public to reduce importing goods and receiving mail from overseas.
Women weavers in Assam weather the pandemic and climate change through community groups
Women across 210 villages in Assam have created a network of self-help groups to promote traditional skills such as weaving and gardening to supplement their family income during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Death of a student sparks debate on religious community-run housing in Turkey
With Kara's death, controversy over private religious community-run housing has emerged, with critics calling on the AKP to abolish these dormitories and turn them into public student housing.
China aims to wipe out Omicron ahead of Winter Olympics
China's Zero-COVID policy is threatened as cases of the Delta and Omicron variants were identified in the country in recent weeks, raising concerns about how Beijing can contain the outbreak.
As Turkey rolls out its own COVID-19 vaccine, questions loom over its efficacy
In December 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved the Turkovac vaccine for emergency use. Experts say there is an absence of scientific data and evidence proving the efficiency of the vaccine.
How one birthday party sparked an outpouring of anger and resentment in Hong Kong
Dozens of Hong Kong government officials attended a birthday party with over 200 guests, in violation of the city's COVID-19 control rules. Now attendees are testing positive for Omicron.
Japan calls for stricter COVID-19 measures for U.S. military personnel
For some, Japan's "mambo"—the country's quasi-state of emergency—is not enough to deal with the COVID-19 threat that they percieve is being posed by the U.S. military.