Two French doctors who suggested that a potential Coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment should be tested in Africa have ignited the wrath of Africans online.
One of the doctors, Dr. Jean-Paul Mira was captured during a tv show saying that the tests would yield better results when carried out in Africa where there are no masks nor treatment.
“If I can be provocative, shouldn’t we do this study in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatment, no resuscitation, a bit like it has been done in some studies in AIDS, where among prostitutes, we try things, because they are exposed,” Dr Mira is quoted.
His colleague, Camille Locht echoed his statement adding that Africa, which is incapable of battling the pandemic should be first to test the treatment.
Read: Here Are 7 African Countries With Zero Confirmed Cases Of Coronavirus
“Sorry, you are missing a point here. Africa needs a new treatment AT first because they don’t have a chance to stop the Virus in any other way. A healing there first would save 100,000 of lives more, than in the reality save European countries,” Locht is quoted.
Following the show, many social media users were angered including celebrities who blasted the doctors for their sentiments.
For instance, footballer Didier Drogba took to twitter and called out the doctors labelling their comments demeaning and racists to the African continent.
“It is totally inconceivable we keep on cautioning this. Africa isn’t a testing lab. I would like to vividly denounce those demeaning, false and most of all deeply racists words. Helps us save Africa with the current ongoing COVID-19 and flatten the curve,” Drogba tweeted.
It is totally inconceivable we keep on cautioning this.
Africa isn’t a testing lab.
I would like to vividly denounce those demeaning, false and most of all deeply racists words.Helps us save Africa with the current ongoing Covid 19 and flatten the curve. pic.twitter.com/41GIpXaIYv
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 2, 2020
Read Also: Raila Urges Kenyans To Personalize Fight Against The Spread Of COVID-19
Majority of social media users questioned why the treatment could not be tested in European countries yet they are the ones recording massive deaths.
In another account of events, Twitter users have created a trend dubbed ‘#Africansarenotlabrats‘ to indicate their anger on the comments by the two French doctors.
Here are some reactions:
https://twitter.com/_ItsShark/status/1246302566968852481
Dear President Macron,
Racist French covid19 scientists think that black bodies and black lives are meant for experimentation? That is what Adolf Hitler did with Jews and foreigners in Germany. Shame on France🚮.@EmmanuelMacron #AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs #AfricansAreNotLabRats pic.twitter.com/vy4lw5r3WJ
— Dr. John Njenga Karugia PhD. (@johnnjenga) April 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/MuthuiMkenya/status/1246224731034062850
Read Also: Miguna Miguna Comes To Yvonne Okwara’s Defense Following Attack by KoT
https://twitter.com/BravinYuri/status/1245803168925089794
I see no REASON why your “VACCINE” should be TESTED in AFRICA.. Last time I checked AFRICA has recorded less than 30 DEATH CASES!! Doesn’t make any sense whatsoever,#AfricansAreNotLabRats and should never be used as One
Take your VACCINE 💉 else where RACISTS!!— TACHA🔱🇬🇭 🇳🇬 (@Symply_Tacha) April 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/BravinYuri/status/1245803168925089794
https://twitter.com/olmazkankao/status/1246175097351700480
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