As the Omicron variant storms the globe, we are reminded of the danger of COVID-19 and its numerous variants and the consequences of living in countries that lack access to vaccines and sufficient medical resources. A stark contrast in the access to vaccines can be seen below. As of August 15, 2021, 77% of citizens in Singapore have been vaccinated. Compare that with the much smaller percentages of Thailand at 25% and Vietnam at 13%. These inequities are further exacerbated by the vaccines each country has access to. In Singapore, citizens can choose from any of the vaccines available around the globe.

In contrast, in Thailand, for example, the royalvaccine gained traction as Thais discovered the royal family supported Sinovac and AstraZeneca for financial reasons. Thus, the rollout has been slow and inefficient and denied citizens access to higher efficacy mRNA vaccines. As of August 16, 50 people a day are being infected in Singapore, while Thailand is seeing record highs at over 20,000 people per day. 

In the developed world, COVID-19 has meant death and immense suffering. US President Joe Biden said, “…an empty chair at the dining table.”  It has also meant economic hardship, which has been alleviated particularly effectively in wealthier nations through rent moratoriums and relief assistance funding. But for the developing world, a lack of access to vaccines and medical treatment acts as a double whammy. It threatens the lives of citizens in the immediate future and the long-term political, economic, and free speech of citizens who their governments overtly oppress.  

Also, it could be a tool to suppress human rights. If we go back in time from two years ago to 2019, Hong Kong was immersed in protests and violent crackdowns by police. There were scenes of people beaten on the subway. Pregnant women are kicked and thrown to the ground. The airport was occupied by a sit-in causing flight delays and disruptions for travelers coming in and out of Hong Kong. Beijing delayed the Hong Kong elections for one year, citing public health concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to breaking the momentum of the pro-democracy movement, it also bought Beijing time to enact its infamous national security law, which allowed Beijing to extradite any opposition to mainland China for up to life in prison.

Two things are certain: whether COVID-19 was made in a lab or a naturally occurring once-in-a-generation pandemic. One is that covid-19 and its variants are here to stay and something we will have to live with, like seasonal flu. Also, there will be future pandemics at an increasing rate, according to experts, and regardless of their origin, there will be significant human tolls. As we have seen, these human tolls go beyond sickness, death, and economic hardship. From Hong Kong to Thailand, governments are intentionally and perhaps unintentionally exploiting the pandemic as a tool for suppression of protest and holding their governments accountable. To varying degrees, democratic ideals and, in turn, human rights are being trampled upon in the name of public health. This will give way to long-term systemic effects that will long outlive the coronavirus pandemic and hurt an entire generation if allowed to go unchecked. Countries worldwide need to recognize this undiagnosed symptom of covid-19 and help cure it before countries worldwide suffer a long-covid hangover from government suppression.

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