Sputnik V vacations and peak vaccine diplomacy on Mount Everest
Welcome to the Infodemic and, if you just joined us, thank you for signing up! We are tracking how disinformation surrounding the coronavirus crisis is reshaping our world. Below are the narratives, both real and fake, that have grabbed our team’s attention and deserve yours.
Vaccine tourism is becoming a reality, with Russia emerging as a top destination. Tour operators in Norway, Turkey and Moldova are already advertising trips. At least 700 people have signed up with the German agency World Visitor and the first influx from the country is expected in Moscow next week. Viking Tourism, a travel company in Turkey told Coda Story that the idea is generating plenty of interest. The firm, which is waiting for the green light from the Turkish government, will be offering customers a €1,500 package, which will include two return flights, a five-star hotel, sightseeing and two Sputnik V shots.
Having given 60% of its adult population a first Covid-19 shot, Israel is getting ready to vaccinate teenagers. The government plans to buy 36 million more vaccines as an “insurance policy,” to help achieve herd immunity and fight future variants. Palestine, on the other hand, is lagging far behind in its immunization drive, with Gaza experiencing its biggest Covid-19 surge in months. Hospitals are under severe strain as more than 1,000 cases were recorded on Wednesday.
Tajikistan’s now former health minister Samariddin Alizoda has had a rough week. He was sacked after a disastrous press conference, during which he first forgot the names of representatives of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, and then confused North and South Korea. This video shows him explaining to a room of reporters that the “AstraZeneca vaccine is currently being produced in Belgium, India and North Korea.” Someone in the room corrects him that it is South Korea. “South Korea, North Korea, what’s the difference,” he responds, as the room erupts in laughter.