
<p>While most cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been reported in the U.S. , Europe, and China, the virus is spreading rapidly across the African continent. </p>



<p>The confirmed worldwide cases for the virus have surpassed 200 million with the current figure being at 222,262,640</p>



<p>The death toll continues to rise globally now surpassing 4 million. It is currently at 4,593,598.</p>



<p>The world is currently dealing with a new variant of the virus known as the &#8216;Delta Variant&#8217;. The variant is known to be in over 85 countries globally. </p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>A<em>frica has just marked the continent’s most dire pandemic week ever. But the worst is yet to come as the fast-moving third wave continues to gain speed and new ground. The end to this precipitous rise is still weeks away. Cases are doubling now every 18 days, compared with every 21 days only a week ago. We can still break the chain of transmission by testing, isolating contacts and cases and following key public health measures.”</em> <strong><em><em>said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa</em></em></strong> <strong><em>on July 8 2021</em></strong></p></blockquote>



<p>The U.S. leads with 666,627 deaths. Brazil comes second with 583,866. India&#8217;s deaths are at 441,433; Mexico is with 263,470 deaths, and Peru is with 198,523.</p>



<p>China, where the virus originated from, maintains that the country&#8217;s death toll is at 4,634.</p>



<p>The figure of the global recoveries stands at 198,882,734.</p>



<p>The African continent now has a total figure of 8,003,746 confirmed cases of Covid-19, while the death toll stands at 200,275. The continent has made 7,162,070 recoveries. </p>



<p>World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said in an online briefing Thursday (1 July) that &#8220;The speed and scale of Africa’s third wave are like nothing we’ve seen before.&#8221;  </p>



<p>&#8220;The continent is on the verge of exceeding its worst week ever in this pandemic,&#8221; Moeti said</p>



<p>Here are the country-wide numbers for Africa:</p>



<figure id="main_table_countries_today" class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Country</th><th>Total<br>Cases</th><th>Total<br>Deaths</th><th>Total<br>Recovered</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Africa</td><td>8,003,746</td><td>200,275</td><td>7,162,070</td></tr><tr><td>Algeria</td><td>198,313</td><td>5,445</td><td>135,232</td></tr><tr><td>Angola</td><td>48,790</td><td>1,282</td><td>44,054</td></tr><tr><td>Benin</td><td>16,946</td><td>135</td><td>11,890</td></tr><tr><td>Botswana</td><td>162,186</td><td>2,309</td><td>155,403</td></tr><tr><td>Burkina Faso</td><td>13,851</td><td>171</td><td>13,575</td></tr><tr><td>Burundi</td><td>12,585</td><td>38</td><td>773</td></tr><tr><td>Cabo Verde</td><td>36,012</td><td>316</td><td>34,725</td></tr><tr><td>Cameroon</td><td>84,210</td><td>1,357</td><td>80,433</td></tr><tr><td>CAR</td><td>11,296</td><td>100</td><td>6,859</td></tr><tr><td>Chad</td><td>4,996</td><td>174</td><td>4,816</td></tr><tr><td>Comoros</td><td>4,086</td><td>147</td><td>3,909</td></tr><tr><td>Congo</td><td>13,588</td><td>183</td><td>12,421</td></tr><tr><td>Djibouti</td><td>11,785</td><td>157</td><td>11,592</td></tr><tr><td>DRC</td><td>55,307</td><td>1,061</td><td>30,858</td></tr><tr><td>Egypt</td><td>290,395</td><td>16,801</td><td>242,623</td></tr><tr><td>Equatorial Guinea</td><td>9,939</td><td>129</td><td>8,971</td></tr><tr><td>Eritrea</td><td>6,648</td><td>38</td><td>6,601</td></tr><tr><td>Eswatini</td><td>44,234</td><td>1,156</td><td>38,871</td></tr><tr><td>Ethiopia</td><td>316,174</td><td>4,785</td><td>284,895</td></tr><tr><td>Gabon</td><td>26,177</td><td>168</td><td>25,775</td></tr><tr><td>Gambia</td><td>9,789</td><td>328</td><td>9,379</td></tr><tr><td>Ghana</td><td>121,307</td><td>1,069</td><td>113,267</td></tr><tr><td>Guinea</td><td>29,877</td><td>358</td><td>27,742</td></tr><tr><td>Guinea-Bissau</td><td>5,902</td><td>121</td><td>4,967</td></tr><tr><td>Ivory Coast</td><td>57,056</td><td>477</td><td>54,804</td></tr><tr><td>Kenya</td><td>241,134</td><td>4,800</td><td>229,762</td></tr><tr><td>Lesotho</td><td>14,395</td><td>403</td><td>6,830</td></tr><tr><td>Liberia</td><td>5,459</td><td>148</td><td>2,715</td></tr><tr><td>Libya</td><td>318,069</td><td>4,363</td><td>230,995</td></tr><tr><td>Madagascar</td><td>42,884</td><td>957</td><td>41,311</td></tr><tr><td>Malawi</td><td>60,852</td><td>2,217</td><td>49,374</td></tr><tr><td>Mali</td><td>14,942</td><td>542</td><td>14,135</td></tr><tr><td>Mauritania</td><td>34,297</td><td>737</td><td>31,832</td></tr><tr><td>Mauritius</td><td>11,466</td><td>32</td><td>1,854</td></tr><tr><td>Mayotte</td><td>19,925</td><td>175</td><td>2,964</td></tr><tr><td>Morocco</td><td>886,008</td><td>13,145</td><td>828,148</td></tr><tr><td>Mozambique</td><td>148,054</td><td>1,881</td><td>137,891</td></tr><tr><td>Namibia</td><td>125,772</td><td>3,414</td><td>120,812</td></tr><tr><td>Niger</td><td>5,888</td><td>199</td><td>5,624</td></tr><tr><td>Nigeria</td><td>195,890</td><td>2,556</td><td>184,882</td></tr><tr><td>Rwanda</td><td>90,145</td><td>1,134</td><td>45,362</td></tr><tr><td>Réunion</td><td>50,346</td><td>342</td><td>47,752</td></tr><tr><td>Saint Helena</td><td>2</td><td></td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Sao Tome and Principe</td><td>2,692</td><td>37</td><td>2,461</td></tr><tr><td>Senegal</td><td>73,257</td><td>1,812</td><td>64,582</td></tr><tr><td>Seychelles</td><td>20,323</td><td>108</td><td>19,767</td></tr><tr><td>Sierra Leone</td><td>6,374</td><td>121</td><td>4,364</td></tr><tr><td>Somalia</td><td>17,947</td><td>1,005</td><td>8,896</td></tr><tr><td>South Africa</td><td>2,824,063</td><td>83,617</td><td>2,599,667</td></tr><tr><td>South Sudan</td><td>11,526</td><td>120</td><td>11,195</td></tr><tr><td>Sudan</td><td>37,715</td><td>2,837</td><td>31,675</td></tr><tr><td>Tanzania</td><td>1,367</td><td>50</td><td>183</td></tr><tr><td>Togo</td><td>22,625</td><td>197</td><td>17,669</td></tr><tr><td>Tunisia</td><td>675,191</td><td>23,846</td><td>639,708</td></tr><tr><td>Uganda</td><td>120,714</td><td>3,061</td><td>95,679</td></tr><tr><td>Western Sahara</td><td>10</td><td>1</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>Zambia</td><td>207,294</td><td>3,620</td><td>202,500</td></tr><tr><td>Zimbabwe</td><td>125,671</td><td>4,493</td><td>117,036</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption><a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/">Data From World O Meter</a></figcaption></figure>



<p><em>Note: The numbers will be updated as new information is available. </em></p>


South African truck drivers receive COVID-19 vaccine

[IN NUMBERS] Coronavirus Update: COVID-19 In Africa


<p><strong>Topline</strong>: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday night approved a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna for people with compromised immune systems, in a move that will likely enhance protection for vulnerable individuals at a time when the more infectious delta variant continues to spread all over the country.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-additional-vaccine-dose-certain-immunocompromised" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">late-night announcement</a>, the FDA amended its emergency use authorization (EUA) for the two mRNA vaccines to allow the administration of a third dose to recipients of solid organ transplant or those diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.</p>



<p>The FDA’s move comes after few other countries including Israel, France and Germany began administering an additional dose to certain people amid the threat of the more infectious delta variant of the virus.</p>



<p>According to the FDA’s announcement, eligible recipients will be able to receive a third mRNA vaccine dose at least 28 days after getting their second shot.</p>



<p>The regulator’s late-night statement makes no mention of immunocompromised patients who have received the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.</p>



<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to formally recommend an addition shot for immunocompromised groups following a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/agenda-archive/agenda-2021-08-13-508.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meeting</a>&nbsp;of its advisers on Friday.</p>



<p>The FDA noted that its decision does not apply to the general population and according to the CDC’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2021-07/07-COVID-Oliver-508.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimates</a>&nbsp;about 2.7% of U.S. adults could be eligible for the booster.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19,” Acting FDA Commissioner Dr Janet Woodcock said. “Other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time,” she added while noting that the agency is studying if an additional dose for the general population may be needed in the future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>A <a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/covid-19-vaccines-and-immunocompromised-people-fully-vaccinated-and-not-protected.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study published</a> last month by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that only 50% of immunocompromised people who had received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine showed an antibody response to COVID-19. Such findings along with the nationwide proliferation of the more infectious delta variant—which has also been shown to cause breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals, had prompted calls for emergency approval of a booster dose for some individuals. Last month, a CDC advisory group reportedly met with the FDA to urge the agency to decide if booster shots for the immunocompromised were needed. Its not yet clear if a booster dose will help shore up a stronger immune response in immunocompromised individuals but a recent study from Israel—which has begun administering such boosters—suggested that this might be the case. However, the decision to authorize booster doses remains a controversial one in the global context as critics decry the fact that developed nations are administering an additional dose at a time when several poorer nations have limited access to vaccines. Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-calls-moratorium-covid-19-vaccine-booster-doses-until-september-end-2021-08-04/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">called</a> for a moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots until at least the end of September.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-bc9c6451c1b31a59a8c752abc3a1b839" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Extra COVID vaccine OK’d for those with weak immune systems</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2021/07/22/among-fully-vaccinated-breakthrough-covid-19-infections-are-more-common-than-previously-thought-does-it-matter/?sh=760873d25aef">Among Fully Vaccinated, Breakthrough Covid-19 Infections Are More Common Than Previously Thought: Does It Matter?</a> (Forbes)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


A health worker holds a vial of Janssen vaccine (American

FDA Authorizes Extra Covid-19 Vaccine Dose For Those With Weakened Immune Systems


<p id="h-toplinewhat-had-been-a-booming-moderna-stock-price-took-a-major-step-backward-wednesday-falling-more-than-15-on-the-heels-of-an-analyst-s-warning-that-the-stock-s-soaring-price-was-an-unrealistic-valuation-based-on-hype-around-the-company-s-covid-vaccine"><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: What had been a booming Moderna stock price took a major step backward Wednesday, falling more than 15% on the heels of an analyst&#8217;s warning that the stock&#8217;s soaring price was an “unrealistic valuation” based on hype around the company’s Covid vaccine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Moderna’s price closed at $385.33 on Wednesday, after closing at more than $450 on Tuesday.</p>



<p>The drop marks the second-straight day Moderna’s stock has fallen, following a scathing analysis from Bank of America’s Geoff Meacham on Monday.</p>



<p>The analysis called Moderna’s price “ridiculous” and “unjustifiable on a fundamental basis,” noting the 11-year-old company’s market cap had exceeded those of drug companies that are over a century old.</p>



<p>Meacham placed his price target at $115—more than 75% lower than the price at Monday’s close.</p>



<p>Even with losses over the past two days, the stock’s price is still up more than 65% over the past month alone and around 450% from last year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“We continue to view current levels as unjustifiable on a fundamental basis, despite remaining positive on mRNA technology,” Meacham said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Moderna has been a massive supplier to the Covid-19 vaccination effort in the U.S., with its doses accounting for more than 140 million of the shots administered in the U.S., according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccination-trends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDC</a>. Only Pfizer and BioNTech have supplied more vaccines, accounting for just short of 198 million doses. But the rate of vaccination in the U.S. is significantly below what it was during the spring,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/08/05/daily-vaccinations-hit-highest-level-in-a-month-white-house-says-with-states-where-covid-19-is-surging-leading-the-way/?sh=609043c16f1e">despite a slight uptick</a>&nbsp;over the past few weeks, and the Bank of America analysis noted health officials are still advising that booster shots are not yet needed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Prices of Pfizer and BioNTech also dropped significantly on Wednesday, though not as much as Moderna&#8217;s. Pfizer&#8217;s price dropped 3.9%, BioNTech’s nearly 14%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/08/05/daily-vaccinations-hit-highest-level-in-a-month-white-house-says-with-states-where-covid-19-is-surging-leading-the-way/?sh=609043c16f1e">Daily Vaccinations Hit Highest Level In A Month, White House Says—With States Where Covid-19 Is Surging Leading The Way</a> (Forbes)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Nicholas Reimann, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


In this photo illustration the medical syringe is seen with

Moderna Crash Wipes Out Over $20 Billion In Market Value After Concerns Stock Is Overhyped


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: The U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration has extended the shelf life of the Johnson &amp; Johnson single-dose Covid-19 vaccine from four-and-a-half months to six months, the drugmaker announced on Thursday, a decision that comes at a time when several health officials expressed concerns about vaccine doses expiring and going to waste.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jnj.com/johnson-johnson-statement-on-u-s-fda-approval-of-shelf-life-extension-for-companys-covid-19-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a>&nbsp;by Johnson &amp; Johnson, the FDA’s decision was based on data from ongoing studies that showed the vaccine remains stable when refrigerated at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.</p>



<p>In a letter sent to the company, the FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3zRuTMB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noted</a>&nbsp;that the extension will apply to batches that might have expired prior to the issuance of the order as long as they were stored at the requisite temperature.</p>



<p>The company will update the expiry dates of its batches on its&nbsp;<a href="https://vaxcheck.jnj/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a>, which vaccine providers can use as a reference.</p>



<p>The move will provide health workers six additional weeks to administer millions of doses of the single-shot vaccine.</p>



<p>The FDA had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-vaccine-science-coronavirus-pandemic-business-6d04574617b35c56e7ca2c711cc5585f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previously extended</a>&nbsp;the J&amp;J vaccine’s shelf life from three months to four-and-half months in June.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h3>



<p>49.3%. That’s the total percentage of people in the U.S. who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19,&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to</a>&nbsp;the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. Among U.S. adults, 69.3% of people have received at least one dose of the vaccine.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>Unlike the two mRNA Covid-19 vaccines—made by Moderna and Pfizer—J&amp;J’s vaccine is administered as a single shot and can be stored in normal refrigeration temperatures. This means that the vaccine can be easily transported and administered in rural and isolated parts of the country where healthcare infrastructure may be limited.&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">According to</a>&nbsp;the CDC, more than 13 million people in the U.S. have received the one-shot vaccine. In comparison, more than 87 million people have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 63 million have received two jabs of the Moderna vaccine.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-8126286b2c8bc65970117a08c77af075" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US extends expiration dates on J&amp;J COVID vaccine to 6 months</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-agrees-extend-jj-covid-19-vaccines-shelf-life-6-months-2021-07-28/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">J&amp;J says U.S. FDA agrees to extend shelf life of its COVID-19 vaccine</a>&nbsp;(Reuters)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/world/johnson-vaccine-shelf-life.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">J&amp;J vaccine shelf life extended to six months by F.D.A.</a> (New York Times)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


FDA Extends Shelf Life Of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine To Six Months


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> A new study out of South Korea found that taking an AstraZeneca vaccine shot followed by a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shot boosted Covid-19 antibody levels six times more than receiving two Astra-Zeneca doses, as some governments around the world are giving the green light to mix Covid-19 vaccine shots for extra protection against the virus.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>The study was conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and it took a look at the effects of mixing certain vaccine doses and vaccine efficacy against coronavirus variants Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, as first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/mixed-astrazeneca-pfizer-shot-boosts-covid-antibody-level-study-2021-07-26/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;by Reuters.</p>



<p>About 499 medical workers took part in the study, with about 200 workers receiving two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 200 workers receiving two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 100 workers receiving mixed doses of both the vaccines.</p>



<p>All three groups acquired antibodies, with the group that mixed AstraZeneca and Pfizer showing similar levels of antibodies as the group that received the two Pfizer shots.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study also found that each of the vaccine doses were most effective against the Alpha variant, but&nbsp; showed decreased effectiveness between 2 ½ to 6 times on Beta, Gamma and Delta variants.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>Back in June, Oxford University led a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/06/28/uk-study-offers-new-evidence-you-can-mix-and-match-coronavirus-vaccines/?sh=64cc30081082">study</a>&nbsp;to find out if mixing and matching vaccines was viable. It found that taking an AstraZeneca vaccine shot followed by a Pfizer shot created the highest T-cell response, which are immune cells that attack and destroy infected cells. The vaccine combo also generated more antibodies than taking a Pfizer shot followed by an AstraZeneca shot. Both the Oxford University study and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency study show that vaccines can still provide a strong immunity response to the virus if mixed and matched. The United States&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centers for Disease Control</a>&nbsp;does not recommend mixing doses from different vaccines since it has not yet evaluated if that practice is safe and effective. However, some countries like Germany and Spain allow for mixed shots, allowing people to receive Pfizer and Moderna shots even after they have already gotten AstraZeneca’s first dose. Canada’s health officials also started to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canada-mixing-covid-19-vaccines-astrazeneca-pfizer-moderna-naci-1.6048152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recommend&nbsp;</a>mixing vaccine shots last month, if people are unable to take two of the same vaccine doses.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h3>



<p>As the Delta variant continues to grow internationally, more people are reporting taking multiple vaccine doses. Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57571791" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">received</a>&nbsp;the Moderna jab at the end of June, a few months after she received her first AstraZeneca shot. One U.S. doctor received the one-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine in Seattle, but then, after moving to Canada, got one shot of the Pfizer vaccine for added protection, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/26/delta-people-are-mixing-and-matching-covid-vaccines-over-concerns-about-variant.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>&nbsp;by CNBC. The U.S. does not consider people who have had different doses of vaccines as fully vaccinated.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-out-for">WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR</h3>



<p>Pfizer said it will be creating a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/08/pfizer-says-it-is-developing-a-covid-booster-shot-to-target-the-highly-transmissible-delta-variant.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">booster</a>&nbsp;shot to target the Delta variant. Trials for the booster shot&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsmv.com/news/pfizer-booster-shot-trial-underway-in-nashville/article_5447ab60-edf5-11eb-b977-6b315cb7c729.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">began</a>&nbsp;in Nashville on Monday. Moderna also announced it will be developing a booster shot, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-booster-shot-what-we-know/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trial</a>&nbsp;results expected by September. Some doctors are even&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/20/dr-vin-gupta-encourages-jj-vaccine-recipients-to-get-a-pfizer-or-moderna-booster.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">encouraging</a>&nbsp;those who received the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine to consider getting either a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot, even though it is unclear how the booster shots may work with other vaccines.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/06/28/uk-study-offers-new-evidence-you-can-mix-and-match-coronavirus-vaccines/?sh=64cc30081082">U.K. Study Offers New Evidence You Can ‘Mix And Match’ Coronavirus Vaccines</a>&nbsp;(<em>Forbes</em>)</p>



<p><a href="http://mymusictaste.com/artist/68f14b7dcc835375b53d0ea65f4dedd7/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Americans are ‘mixing and matching’ Covid vaccines over concerns about the delta variant</a> (<em>CNBC</em>)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Kimberlee Speakman, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


Dept of Correctional Services Vaccination Rollout Launch in South Africa

Mixed AstraZeneca-Pfizer Vaccine Boosts Covid Antibody Levels, Korea Study Finds


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines work well at preventing symptomatic cases of the delta coronavirus variant—which became the dominant strain in the U.S. this month—but the vaccines’ effectiveness drops significantly in patients who only have one of the two doses, according to a new study.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>A study of 19,000 people from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Health England</a>&nbsp;published Wednesday found that both doses of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines help protect against symptoms from both the alpha (B.1.1.7, also known as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/04/07/uk-coronavirus-variant-is-now-the-dominant-strain-in-us-cdc-says/">the U.K. variant</a>) and delta variants at comparable rates.</p>



<p>Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine had an effectiveness of 93.7% at preventing symptomatic alpha infections, and 88% for the delta variant.</p>



<p>Two doses of AstraZeneca were found to be 74.5% effective at preventing symptomatic alpha infections, and 67% for delta.</p>



<p>However, the effectiveness of the vaccines plummeted if a patient had only received one dose of either vaccine: the study found both to be just more than 48% effective against alpha and only about 30% effective against delta.</p>



<p>Researchers said their findings support the theory that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prioritizing second doses</a>, especially in vulnerable populations, is an effective way to prevent coronavirus outbreaks.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h3>



<p>The single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine only has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/07/20/johnson--johnson-vaccine-far-less-effective-against-delta-variant-study-suggests/?sh=44f5e2864299">a 33% efficacy rate</a>&nbsp;against the delta variant, a New York University study released Tuesday suggested, although it has not been peer reviewed.&nbsp;A small study from Moderna last month suggested their vaccine also&nbsp;<a href="https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-provides-clinical-update-neutralizing-activity-its-covid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offers protection</a>&nbsp;against the delta strain.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>The delta variant, which experts believe is more transmissible than earlier forms of coronavirus, is thought to be the driving force behind <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/07/17/covid-hospitalizations-rise-nationwide-amid-delta-surge---especially-in-these-states/?sh=290e647e52a8">a new wave of infections</a> and a jump in hospitalizations across the U.S. Experts have warned about the danger delta could pose. Former Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Scott Gottlieb said the “majority” of unvaccinated Americans would likely contract the delta mutation eventually, adding the disease “is going to be the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/07/18/former-fda-head-says-delta-will-infect-majority-of-unvaccinated-americans-and-may-be-most-serious-virus-in-their-lifetime/?sh=22ee15f06b17">most serious virus</a> they will get in their lifetime in terms of the risk of putting them in the hospital.” The surge of new cases has pushed some cities like <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/graisondangor/2021/07/15/los-angeles-reportedly-will-reinstate-mask-mandate-saturday/?sh=7b879fb45373">Los Angeles</a> and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/07/21/delta-fueled-covid-surge-spurs-new-mask-mandates---here-are-the-states-where-they-cant-legally-be-reimposed/?sh=6be7887c37b4">Las Vegas</a> to reintroduce mandatory masking in some indoor spaces.</p>



<p><strong><em>By Carlie Porterfield, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


A doctor’s hand with a syringe of covid-19 coronavirus vaccine.

Study Finds Pfizer And AstraZeneca Vaccines Effective Against The Delta Variant — As Long As You Get Both Doses


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: Pfizer has struck a deal with a South African drug manufacturer to begin producing and distributing its coronavirus vaccine in Africa for the first time, the company announced Wednesday, in a move that follows mounting pressure to address inequalities in the global vaccine rollout.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>Pfizer&nbsp;<a href="https://investors.biontech.de/news-releases/news-release-details/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-collaboration-biovac-manufacture" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;it will be working with South Africa’s Biovac Institute, a public-private partnership focused on vaccine production, to produce and distribute over 100 million doses a year for the African Union beginning in 2022.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Biovac will be shipped batches of vaccine ingredients from Europe and then will perform so-called fill and finish operations, the last stage of manufacturing and packaging, according to a press release from the company.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Though technical transfer, on-site development and equipment installation activities will begin immediately, the company said manufacturing of the finished doses will only begin in 2022.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“At full operational capacity, the annual production will exceed 100 million finished doses annually,” which will be distributed within the 55 member states making up the African Union, the company said.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quotes">CRUCIAL QUOTES</h3>



<p>Pfizer CEO Andrew Bourla, who is set to give a speech later Wednesday at the World Trade Organization Summit, deemed the partnership progress toward the company’s goal of providing “fair and equitable” access to the vaccine “to everyone, everywhere.” Meanwhile, Biovac CEO Dr. Morena Makhoana lauded it as a “critical step forward.” “We believe this collaboration will create opportunity to more broadly distribute vaccine doses to people in harder-to-reach communities, especially those on the African continent,” said Makhoana.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The pace of vaccinations in Africa is running far behind the rest of the world. Just over 1.5% of Africans have been fully vaccinated, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making the continent’s goal of having 20% of its population vaccinated by the end of 2021 increasingly unlikely. This is largely due to a lack of African-based vaccine manufacturing facilities. The continent was relying on the World Health Organization-backed COVAX effort for its doses. However, COVAX has fallen far behind schedule, having delivered only 200 million doses since February (the U.S. has administered 338 million), in part because of the troubles of its biggest supplier, the Serum Institute of India.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Africa’s rollout is lagging at a time when the more infectious delta variant is driving a record surge of cases. Earlier this month, the continent reported its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/world/africa-coronavirus-cases-who.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“worst pandemic week ever”</a>&nbsp;after 16 countries saw a resurgence in infections, amounting to over 250,000 cases reported in just one week.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING&nbsp;</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/16/world/africa/africa-vaccination-rollout.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Africa’s Covid Crisis Deepens, but Vaccines Are Still Far Off”</a> (The New York Times)</p>



<p><em><strong>By Jemima McEvoy, Forbes Staff</strong></em></p>


US-HEALTH-VIRUS-VACCINE

Pfizer Strikes Deal To Produce Vaccines In Africa As Continent Falls Far Behind In Covid Fight


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is significantly less effective at preventing infection with the Delta variant than previous strains of coronavirus, data from Israel’s health ministry suggests, the latest setback as countries around the world fight to contain the hyper-contagious form of Covid-19 driving outbreaks among children and young people. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>A full course of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 64% effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rJQ1O5kp00#autoplay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early study&nbsp;</a>by Israel’s health ministry&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-05/israel-sees-decline-in-pfizer-vaccine-efficacy-rate-ynet-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;Monday, much&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/e7147144-11ff-45bc-96f1-236380c9df5d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lower</a>&nbsp;than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-says-covid-vaccine-highly-effective-against-delta-variant-2021-06-24/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previous</a>&nbsp;estimates of nearly 90%.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The vaccine still appears to be highly effective, 93%, at preventing serious illness and hospitalization, the data shows, though this is also slightly lower than earlier studies suggested and for other variants.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Biotech firm Moderna, which is based on the same type of technology as Pfizer’s jab,&nbsp;<a href="https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-provides-clinical-update-neutralizing-activity-its-covid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;its vaccine remains effective against the Delta variant and that blood samples from fully vaccinated individuals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/06/30/1011684609/moderna-says-studies-show-its-vaccine-is-effective-against-the-delta-variant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">show</a>&nbsp;only a “modest reduction” in antibodies.</p>



<p>Early studies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/07/01/1012372893/johnson-johnsons-covid-vaccine-is-effective-against-the-delta-variant-studies-fi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">indicate</a>&nbsp;the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, the third authorized for use in the U.S., is also effective against the variant, the company said, generating immunity lasting for at least eight months.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Studies from the U.K., where Delta accounts for practically all new cases of Covid-19,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-14/delta-variant-doubles-risk-of-covid-hospitalization-in-study" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">found</a>&nbsp;the AstraZeneca vaccine to be about 60% effective at preventing symptomatic disease and around 90% effective at preventing hospitalization, a modest drop compared to the Alpha variant that previously dominated.</p>



<p>In vaccines requiring two shots—which covers all mentioned here bar the one-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson—research consistently indicates a much lower level of protection from just one shot,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/06/30/cdc-wont-change-mask-guidelines-as-delta-variant-spreads-director-says/?sh=bad30f25e75f">underscoring</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/fauci-vaccination-covid-rates-two-americas-5547f8cd-743a-4789-96bc-10782f967b2c.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">entreaties</a>&nbsp;from public health officials for Americans to get vaccinated.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contra">CONTRA</h3>



<p>The data and research covering how effective vaccines are against Delta are new and, in some instances, incomplete, something that reflects the speed at which Delta has spread. For example, Israel’s health ministry has not revealed the data or the methodology it used to obtain its results and the studies from both Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson only looked at how blood samples from a very small number of people behaved in a laboratory setting. Until more data is gathered in a transparent and verifiable way, the figures and results should not be seen as conclusive. The U.K. is likely to prove an invaluable source of information for other countries dealing with the variant as it is facing a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/06/14/delta-variant-fueling-uk-covid-surge-could-become-dominant-us-strain-here-are-the-places-most-at-risk/?sh=66a089d04e31">wave</a>&nbsp;of cases&nbsp;<a href="https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-delta-variant-cases-up-46-in-a-week-as-expert-warns-mutant-strain-will-hit-uk-soon-12347040" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">driven</a>&nbsp;almost entirely by Delta, especially as it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57725523" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prepares</a>&nbsp;to lift all pandemic restrictions.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h3>



<p>47%. That’s how much of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19,&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to the CDC. Around 83 million have received a full course of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, 61 million the Moderna vaccine and 12 million the one-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. 72,000 people have been fully vaccinated with a two-dose vaccine, though records do not show which.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>Health experts, including at the CDC, believe it is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/06/18/cdc-head-says-dangerous-delta-variant-likely-to-be-dominant-covid-strain-heres-where-its-spreading-fastest/?sh=68f212c86ff5">likely</a>&nbsp;the Delta variant will become the dominant strain in the U.S. It already accounts for around one in four cases of Covid-19,&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to the CDC, and is already the dominant form of the virus in two regions the agency measures (making up around 50-60% of cases in an area covering Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming). Though the WHO recommends all people to keep wearing masks&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/06/25/who-urges-fully-vaccinated-people-to-continue-wearing-masks-as-delta-variant-spreads-but-no-word-from-cdc/?sh=79f3bb9241f9">regardless</a>&nbsp;of their vaccination status, the CDC has not&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/06/30/cdc-wont-change-mask-guidelines-as-delta-variant-spreads-director-says/?sh=863b6855e75f">changed</a>&nbsp;its guidance, recommending people get vaccinated to protect themselves and for local officials to institute their own measures if needed. Few areas have shown signs of doing this and the country&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/07/02/the-least-vaccinated-states-also-earn-the-least-an-analysis-of-data-shows/?sh=6ef093331f5b">low</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/06/30/here-are-the-groups-that-still-wont-get-the-covid-vaccine-and-why/?sh=3550d46d2ad4">uneven</a>&nbsp;vaccination&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/07/04/32-states-didnt-hit-bidens-july-4-vaccine-goal-these-were-the-furthest-from-it/?sh=41ce764132cd">rates</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. has prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/fauci-vaccination-covid-rates-two-americas-5547f8cd-743a-4789-96bc-10782f967b2c.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fears</a>&nbsp;the variant will drive new waves of cases in poorly vaccinated areas, especially as practically all pandemic restrictions have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/07/01/just-one-state-is-left-to-fully-reopen-heres-what-it-is-waiting-for/?sh=777f13d45f33">dropped</a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h3>



<p>Most pharmaceutical companies—including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/05/19/astrazenecas-covid-shot-reportedly-works-well-as-a-booster-raising-hopes-in-battle-against-virus-variants/?sh=409a27ea5870">AstraZeneca</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissaholzberg/2021/05/04/pfizer-will-file-for-full-fda-approval-for-covid-19-vaccine-by-end-of-may/?sh=21bf069124c0">Pfizer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/leahrosenbaum/2021/04/29/moderna-invests-to-make-3-billion-covid-vaccines-by-2022/?sh=5d3bade0ac6a">Moderna</a>—are already working on Covid-19 booster shots, which could top up fading immunity over time and give added protection against new variants of the virus. It’s not yet clear&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/06/15/when-will-you-need-a-covid-booster-shot-pfizer-monitors-breakthrough-infections-as-experts-say-more-data-is-needed/?sh=5a11d8ae7f69">when a booster&nbsp;</a>might be needed. There are also a number of trials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/06/mix-and-match-covid-booster-jabs-may-be-offered-in-uk-vaccine-autumn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploring</a>&nbsp;what&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/07/04/johnson-johnson-vaccine-second-dose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vaccine</a>&nbsp;should be used as a booster and whether it would be more effective to “mix and match” different kinds.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/07/02/kids-among-most-vulnerable-to-infectious-delta-variant---heres-why-you-should-be-more-worried/?sh=ba4417927011">Kids Among Most Vulnerable To Infectious Delta Variant — Here’s Why You Should Be More Worried</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/06/18/cdc-head-says-dangerous-delta-variant-likely-to-be-dominant-covid-strain-heres-where-its-spreading-fastest/?sh=32c085616ff5">CDC Head Says Dangerous Delta Variant Likely To Be Dominant Covid Strain. Here’s Where It’s Spreading Fastest.</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/07/3-principles-now-define-pandemic/619336/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 3 Simple Rules That Underscore the Danger of Delta</a>&nbsp;(The Atlantic)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/06/11/here-are-the-biggest-groups-that-are-still-refusing-the-covid-19-vaccine-poll-finds/?sh=5c30db3c42cc">Here Are The Biggest Groups That Are Still Refusing The Covid-19 Vaccine, Poll Finds</a> (Forbes)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Robert Hart, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


New York’s Northwell Health Hospital Administers Covid Vaccines

Pfizer Shot Much Less Effective Against Delta, Israel Study Shows — Here’s What You Need To Know About Variants And Vaccines


<p><strong>Tom Bennett, Director and Founder of researchEd in the United Kingdom, on what evidence tells us about the future and purpose of education.</strong></p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em>BY JILL DE VILLIERS</em></strong></p>



<p>AS COVID-19 SWEPT THROUGH THE WORLD, SOME AREAS OF OUR lives were more deeply affected than others, one of them being education. Before the pandemic, technology had started taking a more prominent place in education, and online learning was being integrated into the system. </p>



<p>When Covid-19 struck, schools and tertiary institutions were forced to change their models rapidly, migrating to digital options. Soon, the talk pivoted to blended learning and hybrid solutions, combining in-person and virtual classrooms and teaching methods. How likely are we to return to old teaching methods and classroom settings, we ask educationist, author and speaker Tom Bennett, who hails from the United Kingdom (UK) and is the Director and Founder of researchED. </p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile" style="grid-template-columns:34% auto"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Tom-Bennett_1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51596 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Tom-Bennett_1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Tom-Bennett_1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Tom-Bennett_1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Tom-Bennett_1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Tom-Bennett_1-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><strong><em>Tom Bennett will deliver a talk during the 2021 Future of Education Virtual Summit, with the theme ‘Redefining the Purpose of Education’ on July 29, held in partnership with FORBES AFRICA and CNBC Africa</em></strong></p></blockquote>
</div></div>



<p>“After Covid, I see education 95% snapping back to where it was before, because the face-toface model of education simply cannot be beaten in most circumstances. The one benefit of the Covid experience has been that people the world over have seen how hard it is to home school children, how much blended learning often lacks compared to face-to-face… but also we have learned remote learning is not something impossible to manage and that where it is useful, we have lost our fear of trying it. For example, in the UK, whenever it snows, schools often shut and nothing gets done. But now, no more snow days, although I’m not sure that children and staff are as happy about that!” Bennett says. </p>



<p>He was a teacher in the East End of London for 13 years before founding researchED, which he describes as “an international non-profit that asks simple questions that can change the world”. The organization brings together everyone within the educational ecosystem – “not just the privileged priest class of education, but teaching assistants, administrators, teachers, as well as academics, leaders and researchers – to share their thoughts about what they do, and what evidence informs what they do.” </p>



<p>They travel the world, presenting low-cost, inclusive and accessible events, which are particularly popular among teaching staff, who are hungry for answers to questions like: ‘How can I achieve what I want, without struggling blindly in the dark? What does the evidence tell me? When do things work, and when do they not work?’ </p>



<p>Bennett has written four books on classroom behavior and evidence-informed education. “Ideas about how we manage behavior are still stuck in the 19th century, and too many teachers and schools are forced to reinvent the wheel every generation instead of building upon what we have found to work and improving upon it,” he explains. </p>



<p>“Teachers rarely get an evidence-informed training as they begin their careers, and many schools still make decisions based on intuition, gut feeling and hunches. But children – and teachers – deserve much better than that. We can do much better than that.” </p>



<p>Lately, we have seen a burgeoning of technology solutions to a myriad of questions that Bennett says teachers aren’t asking. </p>



<p>“Tech companies are often guilty of selling solutions to problems no one has, and ignoring the lack of evidence to back up the boldest of their claims. That’s not to say that tech doesn’t offer enormous opportunities to supplement and support education, but also to say that schools and countries have poured billions into tech promises that have rarely materialized.</p>



<p>“Evidence tells us many things that teachers can incorporate into their classrooms with only a little effort and with huge dividends: low-stakes retrieval practise (frequent testing) secures lesson retention enormously; being aware of cognitive load theory teaches us the students need information presented in manageable chunks, and that teachers should favour direct instruction with novice learners before allowing them too much freedom to drive their own studies. </p>



<p>This is especially relevant with blended forms of learning, where beginning learners often drown in what they don’t know, and might lack the motivation and the foundational knowledge how to drive their own learning at home.” And finally, how does Bennett see the purpose of education? </p>



<p>“The beauty of education is it has no intrinsic purpose. We have purposes for education. So when we ask ‘How should we educate?’ Then we have to first ask, ‘What do we think the aim of this education is for?’ Only once we have answered that can we rationally begin to decide what we need to do, whether we’re trying to teach the best of what has been thought and said, prepare citizens for the future, or help children become fully rounded human beings.&#8221;<br></p>


Focus on raised hands in classroom

Education: What We Can Do Better


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are likely to offer long-lasting protection against Covid-19, according to a study published on Monday, indicating that people who are already inoculated with either of the mRNA vaccines may not need a booster dose for years.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03738-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">peer-reviewed study</a>&nbsp;published in the science journal&nbsp;<em>Nature</em>, scientists found that the vaccines induced a strong immune reaction that may protect against Covid-19 for years.</p>



<p>The study reinforces a previous finding,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/health/coronavirus-immunity-vaccines.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first reported in May</a>, that people who have both recovered from infection and have been fully inoculated with one of the mRNA vaccines have an even stronger immune response.</p>



<p>The study also showed that the vaccines produced high levels of neutralizing antibodies that were effective against three variants of the coronavirus, including the Beta variant that has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.</p>



<p>Nearly four months after the first dose of either vaccine, the body still had the so-called germinal centers in the lymph nodes which effectively train the body’s immune cells to protect against future infection.</p>



<p>According to scientists who conducted the study, this is a very positive sign since germinal centers normally peak one or two weeks after vaccination and then begin to decline, the New York Times&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/28/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-mask?smtyp=cur&amp;smid=tw-nytimesworld#a-study-finds-that-the-pfizer-and-moderna-vaccines-could-offer-protection-for-years" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<p>Production of a broader range of immune cells and longer training times for those cells will lead to more robust protection against the virus and any variants that may emerge.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-don-t-know">WHAT WE DON’T KNOW</h3>



<p>The scope of the study was only limited to the two approved mRNA vaccines manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. It did not examine the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine and one of the study’s authors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/28/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-mask?smtyp=cur&amp;smid=tw-nytimesworld#a-study-finds-that-the-pfizer-and-moderna-vaccines-could-offer-protection-for-years" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<em>New York Times&nbsp;</em>that he expected the immune response from that shot to be less durable. The study also does not throw any light on the effectiveness of the vaccine against the Delta variant of the coronavirus which is more transmissible than other variants.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>While the mRNA vaccines have been highly effective in preventing infections, the emergence of more infectious variants of the coronavirus has led to speculation that booster doses may be needed to protect against Covid-19. Speaking at a&nbsp;<em>Forbes</em>&nbsp;event earlier this month, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfellows/2021/06/08/moderna-ceo-says-vaccine-boosters-and-flucovid-combo-shots-are-likely-for-the-future/?sh=886c6a03347d">also suggested</a>&nbsp;that it was likely booster shots will be needed in the near future, both to bolster waning immunity and to protect against new virus mutations. However, public health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2021-05-21/covid-19-booster-shots-not-necessarily-needed-this-fall-fauci-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pushed back</a>&nbsp;against this notion. The results of this study suggest that a vast majority of people, who have received one of the two mRNA vaccines, will likely be protected over the long term and may not need a booster shot anytime soon. However, the emergence of newer, more infectious variants could still blunt the effectiveness of these mRNA vaccines. Additionally, a large proportion of vaccine recipients around the world have received viral vector-based vaccines which may offer less durable immunity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/28/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-mask?smtyp=cur&amp;smid=tw-nytimesworld#a-study-finds-that-the-pfizer-and-moderna-vaccines-could-offer-protection-for-years" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mRNA Vaccines May Offer Lasting Protection, Study Finds</a>&nbsp;(New York Times)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/health/coronavirus-immunity-vaccines.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Immunity to the Coronavirus May Persist for Years, Scientists Find</a>&nbsp;(New York Times)</p>



<p><em><strong>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</strong></em></p>


Pfizer And Moderna Vaccines May Offer Years-Long Protection Against Covid-19, Scientists Say


<p><strong>TOPLINE </strong>AstraZeneca on Tuesday announced its monoclonal antibody treatment for Covid-19 did not meet the primary goal of preventing symptoms in people who have been exposed to the coronavirus, denting hopes of a new therapeutic treatment for Covid-19 for unvaccinated people.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>The antibody therapy, AZD7442, reduced the risk of developing symptomatic Covid-19 by only 33% among all exposed patients—including those who tested negative after exposure—compared to a placebo, which was deemed to be statistically insignificant, the company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/astraz/media-centre/press-releases/2021/update-on-azd7442-storm-chaser-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a>&nbsp;in a release.</p>



<p>The data was gathered from the company’s Phase III trials which were conducted on unvaccinated adults older than 18 years with confirmed exposure to a person with Covid-19 within the previous eight days.</p>



<p>The antibody therapy, however, was 92% effective in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 compared to the placebo in patients who tested negative after exposure, suggesting that the drug may be effective in preventing symptoms in people who are not already infected.</p>



<p>The drug continues to be tested as possible prophylaxis against Covid-19 in other trials, the company noted.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h3>



<p>The trial’s principal investigator, Dr. Myron J. Levin, noted that the drug may be effective in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in people who are not yet infected, adding: “While Covid-19 vaccination efforts have been successful, there is still a significant need for prevention and treatment options for certain populations, including those unable to be vaccinated or those who may have an inadequate response to vaccination.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h3>



<p>AstraZeneca’s AZD7442 was developed with support from the U.S. government. In March, the company announced that it had inked a deal with the government to supply up to half a million doses of AZD7442 for $205 million—subject to the drug receiving emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company said it is continuing to discuss its next steps with the U.S. government.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>While several effective vaccines have been developed to protect against Covid-19, effective drugs against the disease remain sparse. Similar monoclonal antibody treatments developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly have been authorized for use in the U.S., but supplies of the drugs remain limited. The development of therapeutics that prevent symptomatic Covid-19 is critical to ending the pandemic as vaccines are yet to be accessible to large swathes of the world’s population.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/astrazeneca-says-its-antibody-treatment-failed-in-preventing-covid-19-exposed-2021-06-15/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AstraZeneca says its antibody treatment failed in preventing COVID-19 in exposed patients</a>&nbsp;(Reuters)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/astrazeneca-azd7442-trial-for-prevention-of-symptomatic-covid-19-didn-t-meet-primary-goal-271623738254" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AZD7442 Trial for Prevention of Symptomatic Covid-19 Didn&#8217;t Meet Primary Goal</a> (MarketWatch)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


Kenya Vaccinates Elderly Against Covid-19

AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 Antibody Treatment Failed To Prevent Symptoms In Exposed Individuals


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> Three researchers working at a Wuhan virology lab went to the hospital with Covid-like symptoms weeks before the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in China on December 8, according to newly disclosed U.S. intelligence obtained and reported by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday—corroborating previous State Department findings and casting further doubts on the longstanding assertion that Covid-19 did not escape from a lab.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>The State Department previously&nbsp;<a href="https://2017-2021.state.gov/fact-sheet-activity-at-the-wuhan-institute-of-virology/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;that U.S. officials have &#8220;reason to believe&#8221; several researchers inside the Wuhan Institute of Virology faced &#8220;symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses&#8221; last fall, but it didn&#8217;t specify that the researchers were hospitalized or the exact timing of their illnesses.</p>



<p>Unnamed officials familiar with the intelligence reportedly gave the&nbsp;<em>Wall Street Journal</em>&nbsp;varying accounts of the new information&#8217;s veracity, with one person saying it needed further investigation while another described it as &#8220;very precise.&#8221;</p>



<p>“The U.S. continues to hype the lab leak theory,&#8221; China&#8217;s Foreign Ministry, which did not immediately respond to&nbsp;<em>Forbes&#8217;&nbsp;</em>requestfor comment, said in a statement to the&nbsp;<em>Wall Street Journal</em>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In its statement, the Foreign Ministry pointed to March&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-convened-global-study-of-origins-of-sars-cov-2-china-part-annexes.pdf?sfvrsn=3065bcd8_5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a>&nbsp;from the World Health Organization saying it was &#8220;extremely unlikely&#8221; that Covid-19 originated from a lab leak and that it was instead more likely the virus spread from bats to humans.</p>



<p>However, after the report was released, WHO head Tedros Ghebreyesus called for a deeper investigation on the matter,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-30/who-chief-critiques-covid-report-says-lab-leak-study-needed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">saying</a>&nbsp;the probe didn’t adequately assess the possibility of a lab leak.</p>



<p><em>Forbes</em>&nbsp;is awaiting comment from the State Department.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Many scientists last year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2020/05/10/a-timeline-of-the-covid-19-wuhan-lab-origin-theory/?sh=370c029e5aba">initially dismissed</a>&nbsp;claims that Covid-19 originated in a Wuhan lab, but the theory quickly became a hot-button issue among conservative lawmakers casting blame onto China for the pandemic. However, as widespread vaccination helps the U.S. turn a corner on the virus, a growing number of domestic officials—from both sides of the aisle—are once again calling for investigations into the origins of Covid-19. Secretary of State Antony Blinken&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2021/04/11/biden-secretary-of-state-condemns-chinas-acts-of-genocide-against-muslim-uyghurs/?sh=26f49b7050ca">condemned</a>&nbsp;China last month for its lack of transparency during the pandemic&#8217;s early days, saying the country failed to give international health experts real-time access to information about the virus&#8217; spread and urging the country to help put in place a stronger global health security system to revisit the pandemic&#8217;s origins.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">SURPRISING FACT</h3>



<p>Though the virus was first confirmed in December 2019, WHO researchers have since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/possible-early-covid-19-cases-in-china-emerge-during-who-mission-11612996225" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">identified</a>&nbsp;more than 90 potential Covid-19 cases dating as far back as October of that year.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Asked earlier this month whether he was confident Covid-19 developed naturally, Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation&#8217;s top infectious disease experts,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fauci-not-convinced-covid-19-developed-naturally" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">responded</a>: &#8220;No actually&#8230; I am not convinced about that. I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we continue to find out to the best of our ability what happened… Certainly, the people who investigated it say it likely was the emergence from an animal reservoir that then infected individuals, but it could have been something else, and we need to find that out.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/intelligence-on-sick-staff-at-wuhan-lab-fuels-debate-on-covid-19-origin-11621796228?reflink=share_mobilewebshare" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intelligence on Sick Staff at Wuhan Lab Fuels Debate On Covid-19 Origin</a>&nbsp;<em>(WSJ)</em></p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2020/05/10/a-timeline-of-the-covid-19-wuhan-lab-origin-theory/">A Timeline Of The COVID-19 Wuhan Lab Origin Theory</a> <em>(Forbes)</em></p>



<p><strong><em>By Jonathan Ponciano, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


gettyimages-1201569878-594×594

Report: Wuhan Lab Staff Went To Hospital With Covid-Like Symptoms Before Confirmed Outbreak, New Intelligence Finds


<p id="h-topline"><strong>TOPLINE</strong> A new U.K. study has found that more than 95% of Britons vaccinated with just one shot of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine develop Covid-19 antibodies, a figure that rises to almost 100% after the second dose, adding to mounting evidence from the real-world deployment of the vaccines that show they are effective and useful tools in bringing the pandemic under control. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>In a study of more than 8,500 people from England and Wales, who did not have antibodies before their first shot and provided a total of 13,232 antibody samples, 96% developed antibodies 28 to 34 days after receiving their first dose, according to research from University College London (UCL).</p>



<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://ucl-virus-watch.net/?page_id=913" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>, which is being prepared for peer review, found this figure to rise to 99% within seven and 14 days of their second shot for recipients of both vaccines, evidence that they provide protection against the coronavirus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While those receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine developed antibodies faster than those receiving the AstraZeneca shot, rates were practically identical after a period of four weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many groups at a greater risk from Covid-19—including those with underlying conditions like diabetes and cancer, those taking immune system suppressing drugs and older adults—produced fewer antibodies after a single dose, a potential problem for countries like the U.K. where the second dose is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/05/14/study-finds-12-week-gap-between-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-dose-generates-35-times-higher-antibody-response/?sh=5fe5400da6a3">delayed</a>&nbsp;by several weeks in order to vaccinate more people.</p>



<p>However, a second shot boosted antibody levels to the standard high levels, something Professor Rob Aldridge, the chief investigator of the study,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/96-of-britons-develop-antibodies-after-one-covid-jab-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<em>Guardian</em>&nbsp;underscores the “importance of getting the second dose.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Aldridge described the findings as “reassuring &#8211; vaccines are our way out of the pandemic.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h3>



<p>Dr. Maddie Shrotri, the paper’s lead author,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/96-of-britons-develop-antibodies-after-one-covid-jab-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;the findings are from some of the earliest “real-world vaccine studies in the U.K.” Shrotri said the results are “fantastic news,” adding that it is “remarkable” how well the vaccines work given the speed at which they’ve been developed. “It’s a real feat of science in the face of the most devastating pandemic in a century.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h3>



<p>57 million. This is&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/vaccinations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how many vaccines&nbsp;</a>have been given out in the U.K., the vast majority being the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca shots. Just over 20 million people have received their second dose.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/96-of-britons-develop-antibodies-after-one-covid-jab-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Covid vaccine: 96% of Britons develop antibodies after one jab, study finds</a>&nbsp;(Guardian)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/05/14/study-finds-12-week-gap-between-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-dose-generates-35-times-higher-antibody-response/?sh=5fe5400da6a3">12-Week Gap Between Pfizer Vaccine Doses Generates Higher Antibody Response, Study Finds</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


Healthcare professional in protective gloves & workwear holding & organising a tray of COVID-19 vaccine vials

96% Of People Develop Covid Antibodies After Just One Shot Of Pfizer Or AstraZeneca Vaccine, U.K. Study Finds


<p><strong>Topline</strong>: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in another “family meeting” on Tuesday evening that although the country will not be moving from Alert Level one, heavy restrictions would be put in place for this upcoming Easter Weekend.  </p>



<p><strong>Key Facts</strong>&nbsp;</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Officially it has been over a year since South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced that country would be going into a hard lockdown to mitigate the spread of the global pandemic, Covid-19.  </li><li>However, the president made it clear that the number of cases has remained “relatively stable” but warns the country should not be complacent.  </li><li>“The number of hospitalizations is declining, as is the number of deaths. Our national recovery rate stands at slightly higher than 95%,” Ramaphosa said in his address.  </li><li>With that being said, alcohol sales for this weekend will be restricted to curb “reckless behavior” over the long weekend. On-site sales at restaurants, shebeens, and bars will still be allowed but just up until 23:00. </li><li>In addition to that, Ramaphosa also announced that South Africa has secured another 20 million dosages of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. In the middle of February, South Africa began Phase 1 of its vaccination program, which involves the vaccination of health workers. This phase is on track to be completed within three months. Phase 2 is scheduled to start in mid-May. </li></ul>



<p><strong>Crucial Quote</strong></p>



<p>“Any action that puts ourselves or others at risk must be avoided. The restrictions that are in place for our collective health and safety must be observed. Let us be a responsible nation that is forever aware of the presence of the virus. Let us remain at home or in small groups. Let us avoid being in large crowds and places with poor ventilation. Let us not go to funerals unless we are immediate family and not visit the homes of the bereaved. We all have a role in this great national effort to end COVID-19,” Ramaphosa pleaded with South Africa.&nbsp;</p>


South African President Ramaphosa visits the Mashatile family home to offer condolences

Restrictions for Easter Weekend In South Africa


<p><strong>A preview of some of the cool gadgets being rolled out by global players this year.</strong></p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em>BY NAFISA AKABOR</em></strong></p>



<p>IN LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, THE WORLD’S LARGEST consumer electronics show held annually in Las Vegas, which saw well over 171,000 attendees in 2020 – went all digital this year. At CES 2021, we saw a mix of interesting prototypes and products. Naturally, it included ways to combat Covid-19, such as body sensors from BioButton to detect flu-like symptoms; the MaskFone with built-in microphone for calls without removing a mask; and Alarm.com’s touchless video doorbell to help reduce the transmission of bacteria. </p>



<p>As expected, there were plenty of robots but with UV lights to disinfect high-traffic areas such as the Coro-Bot, LG’s CLOi and the Adibot.</p>



<p>Gaming hardware company Razer introduced a prototype N95 mask called Project Hazel that is waterproof, scratch-resistant and transparent, which supports RGB lights that shine on the mouth. It features voice projection and can filter 95% of airborne particles.</p>



<p>Interestingly, the Metropolitan Museum of Art went virtual through the launch of The Met Unframed. It is a free smartphone-only experience of a digitally rendered art gallery including iconic masterpieces and the ability to play augmented reality games. It runs until mid-February.</p>



<p>There were also rollable phone screens showcased by LG and TLC, both with displays that expand as needed. However, the hype at CES this year was around updated television screens.</p>



<p>TVs unveiled at CES 2021 included brighter OLED screens, 8K support, laser TVs, mini-LED and micro-LED. The main difference between mini and micro LED is that the former can have more packed together in the same area and is backlit, whereas the latter is even smaller but self-illuminating.</p>



<p>HiSense unveiled a TriChroma Laser projection TV that displays “purer colors”, which is an improvement over RGB color and has brighter pixels, according to the company.</p>



<p>It also claims the technology offers 50% better color than cinemas, an industry that has been heavily impacted by the pandemic.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, Sony’s 2021 TV line-up will feature 8K support, OLEDs and 4K LED models. Bravias will be powered by its new Cognitive Processor XR that can divide the screen into various zones to detect its focal point, and analyze sound positioning to match what appears on screen.</p>



<p>The company says that while conventional AI can only detect and analyze picture elements like color, contrast and detail individually, the new processor can cross-analyze an array of elements at once, like our brain does. Sony is also the first manufacturer to announce support for the new Google TV platform, the successor to Android TV.</p>



<p>LG, on the other hand, has been busy with NanoCell TVs, 4K OLED monitors, QNED mini LED and second-generation panels called OLED Evo. It also announced a futuristic concept transparent TV that can be used in the bedroom, as a restaurant partition or on public transport to display route information.</p>



<p>The company will bring most of the line-up to South Africa, including the top of the range 8K Z1, the GX Gallery OLED and the 48-inch C1 model that was previously not available in the region, which is best for movies, sports and gaming.</p>



<p>Lance Berger, sales head for home entertainment at LG Electronics South Africa, says its 4K OLED monitors are suited for productivity, entertainment and gaming. “For those working from home, LG’s UltraFine Monitors are renowned for offering immersive viewing, but they also shine as productivity powerhouses, delivering a flexible workstation experience and easy setup.”</p>



<p>Berger says a USB-C port allows a 4K video display, data transfer and laptop/mobile device charging all at the same time over a single cable, which helps reduce cord clutter and increase efficiency.</p>



<p>Late in 2020, LG announced an exclusive partnership with Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X gaming console. This year, LG will offer a ‘game optimizer’ feature that fine-tunes the picture for consoles and PCs Berger says the feature gives gamers fast access to tweaks one would be likely to use, such as lag reduction and variable refresh rate. </p>



<p>“Gamers can enable AI-based sound tuning for specific genres – it will adjust for a first-person shooter, role-playing game or even a real-time strategy title.”</p>


Economic and financial impact during the Covid-19 health crisis deepens. Businesswoman with protective face mask checking financial trading data on smartphone by the stock exchange market display screen board in downtown financial district showing stock m

Tag: Covid-19 Tech

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