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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider High hopes for Russia's COVID-19 vaccine; farewell to fellow Rotarian Mayor Alfredo Lim

High hopes for Russia's COVID-19 vaccine; farewell to fellow Rotarian Mayor Alfredo Lim

Published Aug 15, 2020 12:04 pm

PEACE-MAKER

Russia’s discovery of a COVID-19 vaccine seems to provide light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

President Vladimir Putin has announced that the Russian-developed vaccine offers “sustainable immunity” against the coronavirus. He revealed that it was even administered on his daughter and the results are positive.

The vaccine, developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute, is dubbed “Sputnik V,” in honor of Sputnik 1, the world’s first ever satellite launched by the USSR in 1957.

We also welcome and deeply appreciate Russia’s gesture that it will supply our country with the vaccines, as announced by President Duterte and by our good friend Russian Ambassador to Manila Igor Khovaev.

Russia’s “feat” as the first country in the world to launch a COVID-19vaccine has not escaped critics, which is expected. We humbly suggest, however, that instead of sowing cynicism and intrigue, the international community should commend and support Russia in this endeavor. After all, Russia’s scientific accomplishment is good for humanity, for the world.

It is easier said than done, but we also believe that when it comes to combating this raging pandemic, which has been claiming lives, shattering businesses and livelihoods, and devastating economies, countries must temporarily set aside their differences. It has been repeatedly pointed out that international solidarity and cooperation are needed to win the war against this deadly plague.

We do not think that Russia, or any other country, will unveil a much-needed and -anticipated vaccine that is not safe and effective. Doing so would be foolish, to say the least.

Currently, there are reportedly hundreds of COVID-19 vaccines that are being developed worldwide, six of which are in the final stage of clinical trials. The first three have been developed by Chinese scientists and the three others by the British-Swedish companies Oxford-AstraZeneca, the German firms Pfizer Inc-BioNtech, and the American company Moderna.

Coronavirus is truly the global community’s common enemy.

* * *

We convey our sympathies to the family of our fellow Rotarian Alfredo “Fred” Lim, who passed away last August 8.

Fred Lim served our country with great distinction as police general, National Bureau of Investigation chief, local government secretary, senator, and mayor of Manila where he captured the Filipino people’s imagination with his no-nonsense approach in combating illegal drugs and criminality.

Fred was the fifth former Philippine senator who died during this pandemic period. The other senators who recently passed away were Heherson “Sonny” Alvarez, Ramon Revilla Sr., Tessie Aquino Oreta, and Eddie Ilarde.

Fred and we, and eight others, ran in the 1998 presidential elections, where our friend, then Vice President Joseph Estrada, won. Like President Estrada and we who have remained friends up to this day, Fred and we maintained our respect for each other. We always exchanged pleasantries whenever we saw each other, especially at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila where we are both long-time members.  

Fred Lim was a humble and soft-spoken man and a devoted public servant. We in the Rotary Club of Manila and the Filipino people will certainly miss him.

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