This episode of The Intelligence covers the challenges of containing the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including local distrust, logistical hurdles, and lack of a vaccine for the Brindu-Budur strain. It also discusses Europe's efforts to reduce reliance on American tech giants amid security and sovereignty concerns, and ends with a light segment on the cultural phenomenon of sticky toffee pudding.
Summarized by Podsumo
The Ebola outbreak in Ituri province faces extreme difficulties: poverty, conflict, and a third of locals not believing the disease is real.
No licensed vaccine exists for the current Brindu-Budur strain, though Oxford and the Serum Institute are working on an experimental version.
Europe is pushing for 'tech sovereignty' by switching to European alternatives, like France moving to Linux and Germany choosing a French data analytics firm over Palantir.
The American Cloud Act and fears of a geopolitical 'kill switch' are driving European concerns about dependency on U.S. tech.
Sticky toffee pudding's origins are contested, with a TikToker sparking renewed global interest and chefs adding unconventional ingredients like miso.
"There is a lingering sense from previous Ebola outbreaks that when people pitch up offering help, they perceive to be trying to feather their own nest as if the Congolese government or international NGOs are doing it to make money as opposed to help them. — John McDermott"
"It is clearly the most concerning outbreak in Africa since at least 2018, if not 2014. And many hundreds if not thousands of people are likely to die. — John McDermott"
"Critics say, well, this is basically sovereign washing because at the end of the day, ultimately these American firms remain under American control. — Christian Odendal"