Colonialism, Treatments, and Vaccinations

Abstract

Deception, disinformation, and lack of transparency significantly hindered an effective pandemic response, especially in colonial nations with populist-nationalist leaders inclined toward satisfying economic self-interests rather than addressing the well-being of the whole. As a result, effective mitigation measures, such as masking, social distancing, and temporary shutdowns, were controversial and politicized. Misinformation concerning COVID-19 treatments and vaccines were widespread, often fueled by acts of manipulation that risked harm to others. Scientific advances resulted in effective vaccines, new empirically supported treatments, and advanced medical technology that promised to help to control viral spread. However, colonial biases often prevented equal access, appropriate assessment, and quality of care, thwarting positive outcomes and slowing progress significantly. Racial bias, for example, negatively impacted vaccine trials, vaccine access, and the effectiveness of medical technology. Ultimately, vaccine hesitancy proved to be a serious barrier to achieving vaccine-acquired herd immunity in the US, whereas vaccine nationalism and slow production and exportation of vaccines hindered herd immunity globally, leaving the world vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 variants such as delta. As a result, pandemic response proved to be reactive rather than anticipatory, hindering consistent global progress in restraining the pandemic.