The Privilege of Having Men of Science

Just a few days ago, amid one of those meetings held at the Revolution Palace by the top Cuban authorities with the President, to analysis the behavior of Covid-19, the work of scientists in the production of anti-Covid-19 vaccines and the progress in the immunization process of the nation, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez stated: “We must be grateful forever to Cuban science.”

Cuba trusted once again to its men of science. It was not coincidence that the leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz, resolutely, encouraged a group of bright, powerful minds who gave back, in turn, health and life quality to the people through medicines and different vaccines that are used since newborns, guaranteeing Cubans’ safety amid several illnesses we barely hear about these days.

According to the article published at Sitio de la Presidencia (Presidency Website), “the Head of State recalled how, certain that we would not be given any vaccines against Covid-19, we said to Cuban scientists —knowing their skills, determination and commitment— that we would not overcome this situation if we were not sovereign in this regard. To achieve it, we had to discover the Cuban vaccine against the virus.” And luck was on our side.

We have no idea about the troubles of other nations to purchase vaccines. Not before, not now with Covid-19, we have felt the handicap of not having any vaccine to prevent children and adult population from dying. Cuba, from 1959 and despite its economic situation, never underestimated the scientific sector and trusted its universities and all the training these professionals have to implement that knowledge.

Having our own vaccine against this new coronavirus is a privilege, an honor, and strengthen our determination of being sovereign despite hostilities and the tightening of the U.S. blockade. No matter how many smear campaigns against our country they may organize, the efficiency of Soberana and Abdala is real and solid, as the drop in the number of positive cases in recent days proves it. Deaths have also dropped, which show its protection effect as well.

And everyone should be aware that discovering a vaccine is not easy at all. If it were so, there would be no inequity in the sharing of the vaccines globally nor the heated disputes in the international market. Not only in the U.S. or Europe, several Latin American, Africa, and Middle East nations do not achieve to rise the number of full-vaccinated individuals.

A special and eternal gratitude to Cuban scientists who were involved all these months in the production of a life-saving vaccine against the most dangerous respiratory disease in recent years. I am really grateful because my family and I are all fully vaccinated. In my neighborhood, the most vulnerable population feel safe. My grandparents may go out to catch some clear air, and my sister may go to school on November once she gets her third dose.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff