New Poet Laureate in Alabama
I read about the new poet laureate in Alabama. She is Ashley M. Jones, a Black woman who is just 31. She will hold this post from 2022 to 2026.
Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley M. Jones
She says, “true reparations require an enormous cultural evolution.” Her comments about race and its injustices certainly exceed my expectations.
She is the only Black person and the youngest to take this title. After all, the state is still struggling with a history of white supremacy. Their actions in the past speak louder than words.
Among her writing is this line, “Give me the songs you said were yours but you know came out of our lips first.”
Her appeal comes from her inclusive use of slam poetry, oral traditions, and outsider art, among many other attributes. In “Reparations Now!” there is a consistent desire for repair. This is clear in her longing for the “country, the state and individuals.”
She is a native of Birmingham, a place she left but has now come back to. Ms Jones’ poetry reflects her continued desire for praise but also a need for criticism.
Right now, in the state capitol, a committee is working to “extract racist language from the Alabama Constitution.” I wish them well!
A New Malaria Vaccine
The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says of the new vaccine, “This is a historic moment. The long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of WHO
Dr. Ghebreyesus is the head of the World Health Organization. He is highlighting the new vaccine and its long-awaited introduction to the malaria field.
It has actually been used in trial pilots in three countries in sub-Saharan Africa for 3 years.
“For centuries, malaria has stalked sub-Saharan Africa, causing immense personal suffering,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We have long hoped for an effective malaria vaccine and now for the first time ever, we have such a vaccine recommended for widespread use. Today’s recommendation offers a glimmer of hope for the continent which shoulders the heaviest burden of the disease and we expect many more African children to be protected from malaria and grow into healthy adults.”
There are these facts about the vaccine: the vaccine is “feasible to deliver.” It is based on the results in the other countries up until now. Second, it is “reaching the unreached.” It has been used in countries where there are no bed-nets.
Third, it is a “strong safety-net for distribution” of the vaccine. It is highly regarded in the places where it has been used and looks for other areas where it will be distributed.
Who Will Pay?
Now which countries will allow the vaccine in, and help pay for it? And which countries will allow others to help pay for it?
Nigeria has said it will help pay for the cost. It is also allowing financing through an unprecedented collaboration among three key global health funding bodies: “Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and Unitaid.”
Gavi is an international organization that stands behind most vaccines and has been around for a while. The Global Fund to Fight Aids is focused on Aids-prevention and protection. Unitaid, founded in 2006, secures funding from several donor countries.
Reality Confronts Perception
Excel template
Do you get a bit fed up with all the changes to our formats? My friend Jean was here the other day. She shared her opinion of the “new formats” in Excel.
She used to use Excel easily, as I did! But with the “new format” offered in Excel, she cannot use it so easily.
I admit that I haven’t tried to open a file with Excel now. With the changes underway, I probably won’t for the time being!
