Peace Corps Is Vigilant In Monitoring Coronavirus
At our feet our history is memory fighting sunsets, smiling each dawn and with all our strengths make it better.…
Peace Corps describes efforts to make sure all serving Volunteers and Staff are safe as the Coronavirus Outbreak continues. Here is the latest press release:
“https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/library/peace-corps-monitoring-coronavirus-outbreak/
“WASHINGTON – Since the outbreak was first reported in early January, the Peace Corps has been closely monitoring the coronavirus with the State Department Bureaus of Medical Affairs and Diplomatic Security, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, to safeguard volunteers and staff at Peace Corps posts around the world.
Peace Corps medical officers are communicating with volunteers on how to mitigate the risks of exposure, and an interdisciplinary working group is working closely with overseas posts to track and analyze the impact on the agency and to ensure an effective and timely response.
Each Peace Corps program has developed specific protocols for the coronavirus that have been included in their Emergency Action Plans. Volunteers are thoroughly trained in their roles and responsibilities, and posts are prepared to respond to public health emergencies like the coronavirus outbreak.
All volunteers from Peace Corps China were evacuated safely. Globally, no volunteers or staff have been infected.
Peace Corps will remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions until this epidemic subsides.”
This is reassuring news. With the virus centered in China, and many countries evacuating their nationals from China, and other precautions, the withdrawal of PCVs from China, becomes much more justified. But it does seem to reason a big effort by PC Response, for short-term volunteers in epidemiology, esp for Sub-Saharan African countries which have minimal public health offices, but the advantage of scattered rural populations, and relatively few citizens travelling internationally. Let’s keep our PC fingers crossed ! John Turnbull Ghana-3 Geology and Nyasaland/Malawi-2 Geology Assignment -63, -64, -65
At our feet our history is memory fighting sunsets, smiling each dawn and with all our strengths make it better. We can do no more.