2020

Moribund Council on Higher Education is immobilising academic agility, co-authored by Prof Adam Habib – https://cutt.ly/VgGXuef 

Professor Carolina Koornhof: Financial sustainability: Universities’ business model must be sufficiently flexible to survive drastic change, writes UP Finance Director – https://cutt.ly/sgaceYi

Prof Tshilidzi Marwala : Covid-19, 4IR and the breakneck pace at which higher education is evolving – https://cutt.ly/Ygo8L9T

Prof Ivan Turok : Four lessons to learn from state’s management of Covid-hit townships – https://cutt.ly/9go8CPi

Prof Carolina Koornhof : Covid-19: The impact on universities and how their business models need to flexible – https://cutt.ly/1go8BmB

Mapping the lockdown, co-authored by Prof Ivan Turok – https://cutt.ly/ef4tA7a

How the Covid-19 lockdown impacted on SA’s mental health, co-authored by Dr Mark Orkin and Professor Kate Alexander  https://cutt.ly/Kf4tOdD

The Covid-19 crisis has amplified spatial inequalities, co-authored by Prof Ivan Turok https://cutt.ly/6f4rkh6

For the latest on #COVID19 in SA, an interview with Prof Shabir Madhi, Professor of Vaccinology @WitsUniversity well worth listening to: realistic infection rates, performance of our health system, vaccine development & much more. Listen here: https://buff.ly/36eJ1E0

South Africans urged to continue adhering to health regulations, interview with Professor Glenda Gray – https://cutt.ly/mfGlcT2

Level 1 health risks, interview with Professor Salim Abdool Karim – https://cutt.ly/TfGlEbz

Covid-19 policy: Public engagement is crucial, article co-authored by Prof Karen Hofman – https://cutt.ly/jfOKvNv

Why halting the COVID-19 vaccine trial is part of the process, article by Prof Shabir Madhi – https://cutt.ly/zfOKWTN

The Inside Track: A Special Covid-19 Update​​​​​​​, webinar with Prof Shabir Madhi – https://cutt.ly/WfOKF9u

Wits, GCRO, IBM and Gauteng Province opens Covid-19 dashboard to public, co-authored by Professor Zeblon Vilakazi – https://cutt.ly/sfTRSls

The claim that SA’s economy has declined by 51% is a misrepresentation of the facts, by Professor Imraan Valodia – https://cutt.ly/wfTRMcc

How pooled testing can increase access to essential laboratory tests in Africa, co-authored by Prof. Wolfgang Preiser – https://cutt.ly/ZfnSThG

Why Africa needs to be involved in the development of Covid-19 vaccines, article by Professor Shabir Madhi – https://cutt.ly/nfmCf3r

“People become complacent and that is the concern” – Professor Salim Abdool Karim – https://cutt.ly/9fmBkWq

What can be done to revive South Africa’s economy? Opinion piece by Professor Jan H van Heerden – https://cutt.ly/xfmZzCk

Update with Prof Salim Abdool Karim: What to expect next – https://cutt.ly/jfbuodi

Why South Africa’s role in COVID-19 vaccine trials is important – an interview with Prof Keertan Dheda https://buff.ly/2GtbpaJ

ASSAf Member Prof Anthony Okoh from UFH has been appointed to serve on the National Wastewater #Covid19 surveillance team https://buff.ly/3gNJRcu

Africa needs to do more to position itself to benefit from future Covid-19 vaccines – an Op-Ed co-authored by Prof Wilmot James https://buff.ly/3hOf14S

Coronavirus in South African Universities, interview with Professor Ahmed Bawa on ENCA – https://cutt.ly/IfkzJ7m

CDE’s executive director, Ann Bernstein, has written three op-eds which address these issues:

 If the state is largely broken, who will implement the reforms we need?, News24, 28 August 2020 (read here)

Business must raise its voice and take the lead in SA’s fight for survival, Business Day, 20 August 2020 (read here)

South Africa must choose wisely from a plethora of economic recovery plans, Daily Maverick, 18 August 2020 (read here)

Quo vadis SA universities in a post-Covid-19 future? By Prof Wim De Villiers – https://cutt.ly/EfgiVTf

The dilemma of the South African economy. By Professor Tshilidzi Marwala – https://cutt.ly/cfgi2xb

Prof Salim Abdool Karim provides insight on the high Covid-19 recovery rate in SA – https://cutt.ly/rfdjrx4

COVID-19: No major spike expected under Level 2, says Karim – https://cutt.ly/9fdjymw

‘The second surge is waiting to pounce,’ Prof Abdool Karim warns SA – https://cutt.ly/ZfdjouC

Professor Salim Abdool Karim: ‘Covid-19 reinfections can occur’ – https://cutt.ly/3fdjs1C

Judgment Date with Judge Dennis Davis, Episode 30, interview with Professor Glenda Gray: should children return to school? – https://cutt.ly/jfpRXUC

Children, Covid-19 and Classrooms: A 10-point Plan for Making Schooling Safe, advisory of the Scientists Collective, co-authored by Professors Glenda Gray and Shabir Madhi – https://cutt.ly/ZfuGq76

SA to launch second COVID-19 vaccine study in Africa, radio interview with Prof Shabir Madhi – https://cutt.ly/kft8J4K

Covid 19: Scientific excellence will help explore new frontiers, article co-authored by Professors Garth Stevens, João Rodrigues and Imraan Valodia – https://cutt.ly/UfqRyF0

Covid 19: Scientific excellence will help explore new frontiers, article co-authored by Professors Garth Stevens, João Rodrigues and Imraan Valodia – https://cutt.ly/UfqRyF0

Responses to COVID-19 require inputs from every angle of people’s lives, article co-authored by Prof Jonathan Jansen – https://cutt.ly/gd9es1n

Covid-19 Expert Advice #1: How long should I isolate or quarantine for?, co-authored by Profs Shabir Madhi and Glenda Gray – https://cutt.ly/Nd0DB9h

It’s time to get real: Leadership lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, by Prof Jenny Hoobler: https://buff.ly/2C2G7p4

How women in academia are feeling the brunt of COVID-19, an article by Profs Keymanthri Moodley and Amanda Gouws https://buff.ly/33H5VTf

Three South African vice-chancellors paint a post-COVID picture for universities, co-authored by Profs Mamokgethi Phakeng and Adam Habib https://buff.ly/2PC4tcq

Testing for Covid-19? All you need to know about antibody tests, co-authored by Prof Wolfgang Preiser https://buff.ly/3gQ0Sng

Practical guidance on disinfecting, expert advisory co- authored by Profs Shabir Madhi and Wolfgang Preiser – https://cutt.ly/udHjS7F

Prof Kelly Chibale: Africa should be at the forefront of Covid-19 vaccine trials —and should be providing scientific leadership, https://cutt.ly/Xdk0gqb

Tackling Covid-19 through AI, By Prof Tshilidzi Marwala https://it-online.co.za/2020/07/28/tackling-covid-19-through-ai/ 

Prof Gray urges South Africans to take COVID-19 serious – https://cutt.ly/PaNL0iu

Too soon to estimate Africa’s COVID-19 death rate, says Glenda Ray – https://cutt.ly/0aNZciE

WATCH: Karim explains why schools should remain open – https://cutt.ly/zaNZ9LC

In conversation with Professor Salim Abdool Karim on SA’s COVID-19 outlook – https://cutt.ly/yaNXk2m

Prof Jonathan Jansen urges Minister Angie Motshekga to cancel academic year – https://cutt.ly/8aNXF7M

Africa’s research capacity is growing. That’s good news for pandemic response efforts, article co-authored by Prof Sharon Fonn – https://cutt.ly/6aNoof8

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated our shift to the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, article authored by Professor Tshilidzi Marwala – https://cutt.ly/3aNpYec

Covid-19: Women are bearing more costs and receiving fewer benefits, article co-authored by Prof Dorrit Posel – https://cutt.ly/YaJxylD

How COVID-19 threatens efforts to contain HIV/AIDS in South Africa, co-authored by Dr Nesri Padayatchi – https://cutt.ly/maH9wMt

Teacher union concerns about spreading Covid-19 need to be aired: Prof Glenda Gray – https://cutt.ly/JaosRPU

 Cancel the school year ‘for the sake of our children’: Jonathan Jansen – https://cutt.ly/qpZ17Ms

Jonathan Jansen on the emotional impacts of the pandemic and lockdown on South African children – https://cutt.ly/UpZ0bg3

Covid-19: An antibody-based serology test provides little to no real-time value- an Op-Ed by Prof Shabir Madhi https://buff.ly/38FpoUO

A letter co-athored by Prof Wolfgang Preiser published in Science Direct on COVID-19 in Africa https://buff.ly/2OdyoHa

Prof Wolfgang Preiser was interviewed for Carte Blanche about SARS-CoV-2 in waste water, its possible implications for health and using it as an epidemiological tool. https://m-net.dstv.com/show/carte-blanche/videos/covid-19-in-wastewater-early-warning-of-infection/video 

COVID-19 vaccine trial in South Africa: everything you need to know article authored by Shabir Madhi  https://cutt.ly/po6ApoG

South Africans must be healthier for universal healthcare to succeed, article co-authored by Prof Charles Parry – https://cutt.ly/7o2MujQ

Covid-19: A terrifying glimpse of a future where overpopulation and climate crisis overwhelm Earth, article by Prof Mark Tomlinson – https://cutt.ly/UoCceSc

#COVID19: How PE waste pickers navigate lockdown and hunger, featuring ASSAf Members, Profs Angela Mathee, SAMRC & Wolfgang Preiser Stellenbosch University https://buff.ly/2O6aAVx

#COVID19: What is the risk from waste? Analysis by Prof Wolfgang Preiser, Stellenbosch University https://buff.ly/2Zd7plC

Despite stellar efforts against Covid-19, business has failed to win SA hearts, Business Day, 3 July 2020 (see here)

CDE’s youth unemployment report, eNCA, 18 June 2020 (watch here)

No country for young people – are we tackling youth unemployment the right way?, AB in conversation with Bruce Whitfield,  702, 15 June 2020 (listen here)

Focus on economic growth in SA post COVID-19, Classic FM, 9 June 2020 (listen here)

Government must abandon its developmental state ambitions and look to the private sector, News 24, 10 May 2020 (see here)

Is our economic recovery headed in the right direction? Business Day TV, 5 May 2020 (watch here)

Prioritising action on diabetes during Covid-19 – co-authored by Prof Karen Hofman https://buff.ly/3gmEZer

Who is responsible for government’s failure to deliver? – Op-Ed by Prof Jeremy Seekings https://buff.ly/2C7rJeL

Cultural factors are behind disinformation pandemic: why this matters – by Prof Herman Wasserman https://buff.ly/2VMZtoI 

COVID-19 vaccine: the challenges of running a trial in the middle of a pandemic, article by Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele – https://cutt.ly/loCkgXO 

Distance, Dose, Dispersion: An experts’ guide on Covid-19 risks in South Africa and how to manage them, article co-authored by Profs Imraan Valodia and Shabir Madhi – https://cutt.ly/picei9q

Reflections on the future of nursing in South Africa, article authored by Prof Laetitia Rispel – https://cutt.ly/TictnFG 

South Africa’s budget to deal with COVID-19 fails to pave way for more equal society, article co-authored by Prof Imraan Valodia – https://cutt.ly/Vix7nw2

Responding to the Challenge of the Dual COVID-19 and Ebola Epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo – Priorities for Achieving Control: co-authored by Profs Jean Nachega & Wolfgang Preiser https://buff.ly/30ZBwOF

A pedagogy of care: Teachers rise to the challenge of the ‘new normal’ – Prof Aslam Fataar https://buff.ly/2NnnoXr

Balancing privacy with public health: how well is South Africa doing? – co-authored by Prof Michael Pepper https://buff.ly/2AXU6fv

Climate change, biodiversity loss and other global ills share root causes, article by Profs Robert and Mary Scholes – https://cutt.ly/au46bMB

Covid-19: The full economic impact will only be known later, article co-authored by Prof Imraan Valodia – https://cutt.ly/Su7qFks

SA needs to block transmission routes to get Covid-19 under control, article co-authored by Profs Imraan Valodia and Shabir Madhi – https://cutt.ly/zu7wAeD

What sets good and bad leaders apart in the #coronavirus era? 4 of the top 5 performing countries in terms of lives saved & control of the spread of the virus have women leaders https://buff.ly/2MZbGSE – Prof Lawrence Hamilton 

The Academy of Medical Sciences in collaboration with 8 Academies and organisations from LMICs: Argentina; Brazil; India; Malaysia; the Philippines; South Africa; Uganda; and The African Academy of Sciences hosted a virtual workshop from 15 to 18 June 2020 to consider the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic response in LMICs. – ASSAf Members who participated are: Profs Heidi van Rooyen, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Karen Hofman, Julian May, Priscilla Reddy, Michael Pepper 

Social solidarity may be the only way through for SA in Covid-19 times. Webinar assessing the country’s handling of the pandemic so far with Prof Glenda Gray as a panel member. https://buff.ly/2Ca6ER8

South Africa can get COVID-19 under control if it blocks the routes that enable transmission – co-authored by Profs Imraan Valodia and Shabir Madhi – https://buff.ly/3ehjnzo 

Prof Aslam Fataar part of signatories that have declared that it is too early to open up schools and education centres. http://www.wits.ac.za/covid19/covid19-news/latest/society-is-not-ready-to-safely-reopen-schools-and-education-centres.html

New coal and nuclear power proposals undermine prospects of a post-Covid-19 economic recovery, by Prof Anton Eberhard – https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-06-17-new-coal-and-nuclear-power-proposals-undermine-prospects-of-a-post-covid-19-economic-recovery/#gsc.tab=0

 South Africa must adopt a localised response to #COVID19 What it would look like – an article co-authored by ASSAf Member Prof Ayesha Kharsany: https://buff.ly/2Up8TX7

Prof Francis Petersen VC was a main speaker at the RUFORUM webinar on 10 June 2020 titled ‘Learning from a crisis: University leaders’ response to the COVID-19 Pandemic’:   https://buff.ly/2Ur9kQx

 ASSAf Members, Profs Deon de Beer & Tinyiko Maluleke contributed to the South African Technology Network #COVID19 position paper on pre & post-pandemic management in SA: https://buff.ly/2MGBh2r

The 6th report in the Centre for Development and Enterprise series focusing on the #Covid19 crisis: Are we asking the right questions about… Food supplies and poverty alleviation in the former homelands? https://buff.ly/2Yo98Tl

 Why the world needs to ensure wild species are used sustainably – Co-authored by Profs Charlie Shackleton & Rachel Wynberg https://buff.ly/3fcHwY1 

Climate change,biodiversity loss and other global ills share root causes

A ‘scientific’ approach to pandemic lacking transparency 

URGENT: Stop random Covid-19 testing and sort out the backlog: https://buff.ly/3dmkTzL Op-ed co-authored by Prof Shabir Madhi 

From Easing Lockdowns to Scaling-Up Community-Based COVID-19 Screening, Testing, and Contact Tracing in Africa – Shared Approaches, Innovations, and Challenges to Minimize Morbidity and Mortality: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa695Co-authored by Wolfgang Preiser & Jean Nachega

CSIR Group Executive Dr Rachel Chikwamba delivers a keynote address on the role of #RDI in response to COVID-19 and Africa’s readiness for future pandemics at an AUDA NEPAD in collaboration with Southern Africa Network for Biosciences – NEPAD SANBio and PATH #COVID19 Response Webinar on June 4 at 14:00. To join the conversation: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mVKfPSoIT6ine07MckS-bw ASSAf Member, Prof Mark Tomlinson, participates in the above webinar.

Prof Wilmot James is a core instructor and participant in a 4 day virtual workshop on Leadership and Decision-Making during Pandemics, presented by Columbia University: https://buff.ly/2MoQ0z7

 Disinfection tunnels for Covid-19 have negligible benefit and are potentially dangerous – Co-authored by Prof Shabir Madhi https://buff.ly/2zytkcX

Africa Day Webinar on Reflections on Africa amidst Covid-19, hosted by Prof Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni – https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2020/may/africa-day-webinar-on-reflections-on-africa-amidst-covid-19

How universities can play a role in shaping a new post-crisis world, article authored by Profs Adam Habib and Imraan Valodia – https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2020-05-24-how-universities-can-play-a-role-in-shaping-a-new-post-crisis-world/

Covid-19 has forced us into the fast lane of the 4IR super-highway, article authored by Prof Tshilidzi Marwala – https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2020-05-28-covid-19-has-forced-us-into-the-fast-lane-of-the-4ir-super-highway/

Freedom of speech and public interest, not allegiance, should underpin science advisement to government, article co-authored by Profs Jonathan Jansen and Adam Habib – https://t.co/nzjm8M8V9g?amp=1

Sub-Saharan Africa needs to plug local knowledge gap to up its anti-COVID-19 game, article co-authored by Prof Sharon Fonn – https://cutt.ly/pyGa9TF

Online learning is integral to the future of Higher Education; embrace it or become irrelevant, zoom webinar with Profs Adam Habib and Ahmed Bawa – https://www.newssite.co.za/usaf/online-learning.html

Social science shows it can contribute to COVID-19 policy-making – Co-authored by Prof Murray Leibbrandt https://buff.ly/36kM8Z3

Are we asking the right questions about… Small businesses and their struggle for survival? Centre for Development and Enterprise of which Ann Bernstein is the CEO https://buff.ly/2WRuUzo

This is an opportunity for our universities to regain credibility : By Professor Francis Petersen https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2020-05-15-this-is-an-opportunity-for-our-universities-to-regain-credibility/

Professor Imraan Valodia : A new, fairer economy is possible, but that would mean sacrifice http://www.wits.ac.za/covid19/covid19-news/latest/a-new-fairer-economy-is-possible-but-that-would-mean-sacrifice.html

Professor Bavesh Kana and Dr Bhavna Gordhan have harvested live coronavirus for validating tests https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/great-feat-samrc-scientists-harvest-live-coronavirus-for-validation-of-test-kits-20200521

 How South Africa’s health system could take a hit from pandemic lawsuits, article co-authored by Prof Keymanthri Moodley – https://cutt.ly/ByIOxch 

This is an opportunity for our universities to regain credibility : By Professor Francis Petersen https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2020-05-15-this-is-an-opportunity-for-our-universities-to-regain-credibility/

Professor Imraan Valodia : A new, fairer economy is possible, but that would mean sacrifice http://www.wits.ac.za/covid19/covid19-news/latest/a-new-fairer-economy-is-possible-but-that-would-mean-sacrifice.html

Professor Bavesh Kana and Dr Bhavna Gordhan have harvested live coronavirus for validating tests https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/great-feat-samrc-scientists-harvest-live-coronavirus-for-validation-of-test-kits-20200521

ASSAf Members, Profs Jacek Banasiak and Jean Lubuma are part of a team of UP mathematicians that has developed a website for communication of mathematical analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 https://buff.ly/3cTBlYm

Prof Jonathan Jansen – opinion piece on schools reopening: https://buff.ly/3e8XbY0

#ListenToTheExperts Prof Helen Rees, Exec Director, Wits RHI tells us about the solidarity trial – https://buff.ly/2LPvZBq

https://buff.ly/3e81cMr – Glenda Gray interview on 702

https://buff.ly/2Xh25vg– Shabir Madhi interview on 702

ASSAf Member, Prof Qingguo Wang is part of the Institute of Intelligent Systems team at UJ that is developing an alternative solution to ensure compliance with social distancing, a ‘pandemic drone’ https://buff.ly/2AvJNP6

COVID19 ‘Deciding whose lives really matter in a pandemic’ – a thought provoking commentary in the Mail & Guardian. Co-authored by ASSAf Member & 2019 Gold Medal recipient Prof Leslie Swartz, distinguished professor of psychology at Stellenbosch University https://buff.ly/2WxSEbo

South Africa’s COVID-19 strategy needs updating: here’s why and how – co-authored by Profs Imraan Valodia & Shabir Madhi https://buff.ly/2WsJa16

The Covid-19 crisis: Our winter of despair could become a spring of hope – column by Prof Saleem Badat  https://buff.ly/3645MIz

President Ramaphosa’s latest announcement on the lockdown is too little, too late. Profs Wim de Villiers & Eugene Cloete  https://buff.ly/2LszeyE

An interview with Prof Shabir Madhi @WitsUniversity on the #COVID19 pandemic, the futility of the current #lockdown, schoolchildren & many other burning issues https://buff.ly/361QrIr

Jean B. Nachega, Shaheen Mehtar and Wolfgang Preiser give an overview of Covid-19 across the continent, Africa Health journal, April 2020https://buff.ly/2y9DxM5

Co-authored by Prof Shabir Madhi – ‘Reopening: A shared responsibility of education departments & stakeholders’. The authors argue that the certainty that is required by learners, parents and communities — and the public in general — is the confidence that the education authorities and stakeholders, particularly teacher unions, have worked together to take all of the necessary steps to ensure the safety of teachers, workers, and learners at schools. https://buff.ly/2Z4SPNb

Behavioural science and its potential to guide our response to Covid-19 – By Mark Tomlinson and Taryn Young – https://buff.ly/2y7z8cA

#lockdown Are both both men & women’s family roles being given “equal time” for the first time? Prof Jenny Hoobler, professor of Human Resource Management @UPTuks “Gender equality gets a boost from the new normal” https://buff.ly/2WlD9mP

Contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Protection of personal information in South Africa – a review co-authored by Prof Michael Pepper 

Prof. Shabir Madhi on MyHealthTV- Covid-19 and the re-opening of schools: Prof. Madhi talks us through the latest developments and information around Covid-19 (as of 8 May 2020) and how it will affect the re-opening of schools, school children and teachers. https://buff.ly/3cvresA

Prof Lise Korsten and Prof Lucky Mathebula – Discussing food sovereignty in a COVID-19 world: https://buff.ly/2Lnjhtr

Profs Stephanie Burton and Michael Pepper: Lockdowns and research: what we lost and what we stand to gain.  buff.ly/2T0Rbs8

Prof Shabir Madhi: ‘It is time for the government to realise there is nothing more it can do. It is up to SA citizens to now take responsibility’. Covid-19 webinar discussion – Has South Africa taken the correct course of action in the fight against Covid-19? Have we made the most of lockdown? Should our schools now reopen? Are we testing enough and tracing properly? As we enter the third month of the National State of Disaster, how should we pivot our response? What should we be doing better or differently? https://buff.ly/35QzyQN

Co-authored by Prof Shabir Madhi: South Africa’s COVID-19 testing strategy needs urgent fixing: here’s how to do it. https://buff.ly/2WFLvoq

Webinar on: COVID-19 and Africa’s Higher Education System: What is going on? Moderated by Prof Ahmed Bawa. One of the panellists is Prof Adam Habib, also an ASSAf Member – https://www.newssite.co.za/usaf/covid19.html

Review on public transport and risk of transmission –  http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12943

What should public transport look like – https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2020/05/07/covid-19-what-should-public-transport-look-like/

Prof Keertan Dheda was invited to contribute to a special COVID-19 issue of the “Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine”.https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-05-06-covid-19-considerations-controversies-and-challenges-in-south-africa  or  https://journals.co.za/content/journal/10520/EJC-1c8c918ca3?emailalert=true

Adam Habib: South Africa must deal with what haunts it when pandemic is over https://www.news24.com/Analysis/adam-habib-south-africa-must-deal-with-what-haunts-it-when-pandemic-is-over-20200507

Impact of school closures on education outcomes in South Africa, article by Crain Soudien –https://theconversation.com/impact-of-school-closures-on-education-outcomes-in-south-africa-136889?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20May%205%202020%20-%201613215468&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20May%205%202020%20-%201613215468+CID_8f477c13c65be04233d213d2d26db68d&utm_source=campaign_monitor_africa&utm_term=Impact%20of%20school%20closures%20on%20education%20outcomes%20in%20South%20Africa

 Prof Lynn Morris, Interim Executive Director: NICD participates in a webinar organised by Nigeria Health Watch – Innovation in the global fight against Covid-19

A Covid-19 related blog co-authored by ASSAf Council member, Prof Sabiha Essack titled: Global call to healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients to implement diagnostic stewardship/microbial diagnostics and exercise prudence in prescribing antibiotics  https://buff.ly/2z2OD5A

Prof C Wiysonge published an article in Think Global Health, titled South Africa’s War on Covid-19 https://buff.ly/2AbiwBn He also co-authored this Lancet commentary, as part of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition: Global coalition to accelerate COVID-19 clinical research in resource-limited settings https://buff.ly/2X62yC3

Article by Prof S Kagee: https://buff.ly/2zi6GoG and https://buff.ly/3cig36d and 1 radio interview: https://buff.ly/2WcmXUW

Prof Irma Eloff: an interview on eNCA about ‘Teaching children about Covid-19’ https://buff.ly/2WePN7j

Prof Wolfgang Preiser: A paper in the World Complexity Science Academy Journal (WCSAJ) https://wcsajournal.com/ and an interview on Carte Blanche that was aired on 3 May: https://buff.ly/35HG24B

Commentary by Prof Alan Christoffels: SA’s first SARS-COV-2 genome sequence and analysis – REFLECTIONS https://buff.ly/2Wy3JYYwith

Webinar with Ann Bernstein, Executive Director of CDE on Covid-19: ‘Unlocking’ South Africa’s economy – different perspectives (Fri, 8 May). Register here to watch the recording on demand: https://buff.ly/2WsxD0H

Prof Calie Pistorius – launched an open access public e-journal, exploring the strategic impact as well as short and longer term risks, threats and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic https://buff.ly/2SL7RDM

Prof Kgethi Phakeng is interviewed on ScienceBusiness on: COVID-19 is ushering in a new way to do research and teaching https://buff.ly/2Wdwknt

Prof Danny Bradlow: An article titled Vultures, doves and African debt: here’s a way out https://buff.ly/2SGXgtL

Prof Imraan Valodia: An article on What should South Africa’s coronavirus endgame look like? Here are some options https://buff.ly/2yAFm4N

An article co-authored by Profs Bob Scholes and Guy Midgley: The science to policy process that was developed to guide climate mitigation decisions can be applied to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, without having to be reinvented: Choices in a fog of uncertainty: lessons for coronavirus from climate change https://buff.ly/3dEIxaP

Prof Keyan Tomaselli: Involved in an entertainment education project – A digital comic story for children and their parents on the lockdown. The animated version is here: https://youtu.be/Tbcc_lmpiXI

You can’t swap a teacher for homeschooling – Prof Jonathan Jansen

Scrap school year and pass all learners – Professor Jonathan Jansen

Can the philosophy of ubuntu help provide a way to face health crises? Prof Lenore Manderson https://buff.ly/2WbqlOG

COVID-19 shows that where there is political will there is a way to work across sectors, article co-authored by Prof Sharon Fonn – https://cutt.ly/ByggOeW

Sheer volume of misinformation risks diverting focus from fighting coronavirus, article by Profs Michael Pepper and Stephanie Burton – https://cutt.ly/CyggLw1

Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa: one size mitigation strategies do not fit all countries – The Lancet Global Health
Profs Wolfgang Preiser & Jen Nachega

Prof Charles Feldman in the Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine at Wits interrogates the aggravating issue of South Africa’s additional burdens of HIV and tuberculosis and the risk of COVID-19 infection in HIV-positive patients.http://www.wits.ac.za/covid19/covid19-news/latest/wits-publishes-first-clinical-data-on-covid-19-in-south-africa.html

‘Fake news’ and COVID19 How have we performed? – ASSAf Member Prof Herman Wasserman assesses the media, government & public’s performance on reporting & sharing the facts on COVID19. Prof Wasserman is professor of Media Studies & Director of the Centre for Film and Media Studies University of Cape Town Access the full article https://buff.ly/2xUMGbe

Isolation and quarantine in South Africa during COVID-19: Draconian measures or proportional response?

Critical care triaging in the shadow of COVID-19: Ethics considerations

Diagnosis of COVID-19 : considerations, controversies and challenges in South Africa, Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine https://journals.co.za/content/journal/10520/EJC-1c8c918ca3 

Global Health in the Covid-19 Era: Tackling the Real Issues https://scienceforpeace.ca/global-health-in-the-covid-19-era-tackling-the-real-issues/

#Coronavirus risks forcing SA to make health trade-offs it can ill afford, article co-authored by Prof Karen Hofman – “if routine immunisation is not classified as an essential service there will likely be severe consequences”. https://buff.ly/3bnEmiL

Lockdowns threaten children’s nutrition: why extra care is needed, article co-authored by Prof Julian May – the nutritional shocks on young children whose families have lost their income as a result of the #lockdown may have long lasting effects. https://buff.ly/3bqFnqq

What post-lockdown strategy should SA follow to contain the #COVID19 outbreak? ASSAf Members Imraan Valodia & Shabir Madhi amongst academics who argue for prioritising of mass testing & contact tracing for best chance of saving SA’s health & economy. https://buff.ly/3bnKaZD

“The South African Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic” – From a data perspective (Speaker: Prof Salim Abdool Karim. This morning UKZN’s Big Data and Informatics team hosted a Q&A webinar with Prof Karim where he answered questions based on his presentation on eNCA on Monday, 13 April.

Today’s UKZN webinar – 65 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ8UqNdK4Es&utm_source=data%40breakfast&utm_campaign=cb35a1847c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_11_29_10_41_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_14ab216204-cb35a1847c-363416698  

Summarised version of Prof Karim’s eNCA presentation on 13 April – 10 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7QJ5cHSREM

Complete version of his eNCA presentation on 13 April – 58 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ8qb7eGS8c  

Data@Breakfast is an initiative of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Big Data and Informatics Research Flagship. 

Why Sisyphus comes to mind in my daily struggles against coronavirus  

Will South Africa run out of food during the coronavirus lockdown? Will South Africa run out of food during the coronavirus lockdown?  

HSRC investigates impact of COVID-19 on health workers

HSRC, university investigating impact of Covid-19 on health workers

‘Flocking’: UP academic’s research forms basis of psychosocial support organisation’s drive to provide hope during COVID-19

Summary of briefing by Prof Salim Abdool Kariem: https://buff.ly/2XCjPCX

Lockdowns threaten childrens’ nutrition: why extra care is needed

Covid-19 could be with us potentially for years

ASSAf Member, Prof Salim Abdool Karim in a webinar with Daily Maverick, discusses South Africa’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic – https://youtu.be/2klRy9nAHG4 

“Public health isn’t just about dealing with the crisis in front of us now. We have to be thinking about the future,” said Prof Alan Christoffels, chair in bioinformatics and human health genomes at the South African Research Chairs Initiative.https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-04-07-local-scientists-claim-breakthrough-that-could-help-find-covid-19-vaccine/

Article by Prof Danny Bradlow

Article by ASSAf member, Prof Brenda Wingfield

Professors Sehaam Khan and Saurabh Sinha recently penned an opinion article published in the Daily Maverick on 6 April 2020. https://www.uj.ac.za/newandevents/Pages/Covid-19-Droplets-and-Aerosol-Transmission-How-do-we-protect-others-and-ourselves-.aspx  or https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-04-06-covid-19-droplets-and-aerosol-transmission-how-do-we-protect-others-and-ourselves/

Tough choices about who gets ICU access (Keymanthri Moodley): https://buff.ly/2yDOvJy

Professor Helen Rees was invited on SABC’s #TheAgenda to discuss the basics around the #coronavirus outbreak on 5th April 2020. https://youtu.be/zHIF0OjFYLU

Professor Shabir Madhi delivered a presentation on tackling COVID-19 to the Wits University Council on Friday, 3 April 2020. http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2020/2020-04/test-test-test-says-wits-academic.html

COVID-19 101: Q&A with Prof Ed Rybicki – https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-04-06-covid-19-101-qa-with-prof-ed-rybicki

Covid-19: Bold programmes are needed to mitigate the economic crisis, Prof Imraan Valodia – https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-03-23-the-risks-of-economic-inaction-on-covid-19-are-significantly-high/

Yes, washing our hands really can help curb the spread of coronavirus, Prof Karen Hofman-http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/opinion/2020/2020-03/yes-washing-our-hands-really-can-help-curb-the-spread-of-coronavirus.html

No evidence to suggest pregnant women are more prone to contracting COVID-19, interview with Prof Shabir Madhi – https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/no-evidence-to-suggest-pregnant-women-are-more-prone-to-contracting-covid-19/ 

Whither Covid-19? An interview with SA’s chief virus hunter, Prof Lynn Morris – https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-03-12-whither-covid-19-will-south-africa-emerge-bruised-or-with-a-raging-epidemic/

ASSAf Member, Prof Helen Rees is one of 2 Wits researchers who are coordinating the enrolment of Covid-19 positive patients at 14 hospitals countrywide in an international clinical trial launched by the World Health Organisation which will compare the safety and effectiveness of four different drugs or drug combinations against Covid-19. The trial will begin in the next two weeks. Read more: https://buff.ly/3dMLaYS

ASSAf Member, Prof Murray Leibbrandt, co-authored the article below titled South Africa can – and should – top up child support grants to avoid a humanitarian crisis. Prof Leibbrant is Pro-Vice Chancellor, Poverty and Inequality; NRF Chair in Poverty and Inequality Research; and Director of the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.https://buff.ly/34245dR

ASSAf Member & Pro Vice-Chancellor for Big Data and Informatics at UKZN, Prof Francesco Petruccione, hosts a monthly data@breakfast seminar series. He decided to go online with the series and use it to share information on COVID-19.On the first day of the lockdown, some 200 particpants tuned in to listen to a highly topical and clear presentation by UKZN COVID-19 ‘war room’ member, Dr Richard Lessells. Lessells’s talk tackled the issue of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided both a local and global perspective. Read more & watch the video recording of Prof Lessell’s talk here: https://bit.ly/2Ju7oRm

ASSAf Member, Prof Wolfgang Preiser, Head of the Division of Medical Virology Stellenbosch University & NHLS Tygerberg & his clinical colleagues have had 2 letters on #COVID-19 accepted by The South African Medical Journal, SAMJ. The letters relate to socialdistancing & optimising the influenza vaccination to reduce the risk of a ‘double hit’.