The problems raised were identified in the Central Report to the 8th Party Congress and in the closing speech, and you have confirmed them and are supporting us – reiterated the President of the Republic, thanking participants for their sincerity – but you have also presented options we can work on and implement with your support, and incorporating you more into what we are doing.

The morning meeting at the headquarters of the National Association of Economists and Accountants of Cuba (ANEC) was the first in a new series of exchanges the President of the Republic is holding with different social sectors, which will continue in the coming days with youth, religious leaders and agricultural producers, among others.

Participants included representatives of economic research centers based in the capital, ANEC leaders, University of Havana professors and students from the departments of Economics and Accounting & Finance, as well as specialists from various organizations.

Also in attendance were Joel Queipo Ruiz, member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and head of its Economic Department, and Deputy Prime Minister and head of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil Fernandez, who moderated the meeting.

(Taken from Granma)

The article represents a valuable contribution to the international community, immersed in the fight against SARS-COV-2, by sharing the experience gained in this effort, based on collaboration between Cuban scientists and the government.

The pandemic has made clear the failure of neoliberal policies, and the relevance of international cooperation and solidarity in meeting the challenges. In this struggle, Cuba has faced the enormous and additional challenge of the intensification of the U.S. blockade and slanderous campaigns to discredit our health professionals.

The country has, however, managed to control the epidemic and move to a favorable stage, based on the unity of our people in this battle for life; thanks to a universal health care system, free and accessible to 100% of the population; with renowned, highly qualified and world-renowned professionals, a coherent national plan of preventative measures, a strong biopharmaceutical industry, scientific development; and the humanist practice of our state with the understanding health as a right and not as a commodity.

Cuba offers its experience, aware that, as the article reflects, what has been achieved “has ethical and political meaning, as well.”

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

-Creation of the national task force, led by the President and the Prime Minister, which meets daily.

-Weekly meeting with experts and scientists to evaluate research results and their application.

-Activation of Provincial Defense Councils throughout the national territory.

-Daily press conferences to inform the population of updates and progress in implementing the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Plan.

-Daily television programs to provide updates on different topics related to the Prevention and Control Plan.

-Weekly work sessions with the Economic Advisory Group to address issues concerning the economic and social development strategy.

-Visits to research centers.

-Discussion of results of mathematical models, geo-location and geo-referencing studies by researchers at the University of Havana Mathematics and Geography departments.

-Analysis in all provincial Defense Councils of the epidemic’s evolution with mapping provided by geographers at the UH.

-Advisory Group conferences to prepare for monthly Council of Ministers meetings to address the epidemic’s impact, scenarios and the necessary productive transformation.

-Approval and current implementation of strategy designed for the post-COVID-19 recovery phase.

-Intense work currently underway on the conception of an economic and social strategy for the next stage of strengthening the economy, to confront a prolonged world crisis.

REASEARCH PROJECTS CONDUCTED

-Development of statistical information systems and website for standardization and visualization of information.

-Development of an application for mobile devices for active monitoring and epidemiological surveys of the population.

-Analysis of the disease’s propagation, distribution and risk of transmission by province, municipality and health area, and its relationship to risk factors.

-Predictions of the epidemic’s development including analysis of climatic factors, temperature and relative humidity.

-Internet-based modeling for monitoring of contacts of confirmed patients and evaluation of steps taken to control the epidemiological transmission chain.

-Evaluation of the impact of measures on the reduction of population mobility.

-Evaluation of the impact of biotechnology products on the reduction of severity and mortality among COVID-19 patients.

-Development of multilevel and artificial intelligence models to compare the behavior of the epidemic in Cuba with other countries in the region and the world.

-Population studies of carriers.

-Prediction of the end of the epidemic and post-epidemic behavior.

-Identification of statistical indicators to guide the de-escalation of measures

-Administration of Biomodulin-T to elderly residents of long-term care institutions.

-Clinical-epidemiological characterization of Cuban children and adolescents with COVID-19.

-Intervention programs in mental health and psychological support.

TIMELINE

-January 7, 2020

Chinese scientists identify the causal agent, a new coronavirus, labeled SARS-COV-2, and the new disease the virus causes named COVID-19.

-January 29, 2020

Army General Raul Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Party’s Central Committee, indicates the need for a national strategy.

The Council of Ministers approves a Prevention and Control Plan to address the new coronavirus, which would later be amended and improved.

-January 30, 2020

WHO declares the current epidemic.

-February 3, 2020

The first stage of training begins for health professionals and workers within Central State Administration agencies on bio-security issues.

-February 12, 2020

The Science Group is created.

-February 17, 2020

The COVID-19 Health Observatory is established.

-February 26, 2020

The Innovation Committee is organized.

-February 28, 2020

The first five COVID-19 research projects were approved. By June 1, 460 research projects were underway.

Scientists involved believe that the Coastal Lagoons Water Renewal system, known as REALCO, installed for the first time in northern Ciego de Ávila, could benefit other aquatic ecosystems in Cuba and the Caribbean.

Rafael Pérez Carmenate, head of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma) office in the province of Ciego de Ávila, highlights promising progress made in recovering the Laguna Larga ecosystem, the largest natural reservoir in the region’s northern keys, with the new apparatus in operation for just 90 days.

“This aquatic ecosystem, with visible signs of deterioration,” said Pérez Carmenate, “is now recovering riverside vegetation, since the natural exchange of the lagoon’s waters with the sea was reduced from 45 days to just five.”

According to studies, there is also a positive change in the bacteriological and chemical conditions of the aquatic ecosystem, allowing gradual wildlife restoration, mangrove revival and a growing fish population, as reported by scientists at Cayo Coco´s Coastal Ecosystem Research Center.

Hydraulic engineer Héctor Noa Segura reported more than 200 cubic meters of reinforced concrete were poured by the Cayo Coco Tourism Construction Enterprise to implement this unique project based on the sharing of technology, in an alliance of researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and Cuba’s Institute of Marine Sciences.

The wave amplifier system uses wave energy to move water into the estuary, with a flow ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 cubic meters per second. The system includes floodgates, a canal 240 meters long by 3.6 meters wide, pedestrian and vehicular bridges, a promenade and guardrails.

(Source: Granma)

The drought which has been affecting Cuba since 2014 has had an significant impact on the country’s water resources, agriculture and other economic activities.

However, the start of the rainy season now begs the question whether this marks an end to the country’s dry spell.

To explain the situation and other issues, Granma International spoke with Cecilia Fonseca Rivera (CFR), Meteorological Sciences PhD and researcher at the Meteorological Institute’s National Weather Center; as well as Marieta Hernández Sosa (MHS), Geography graduate and head of the institution’s weather surveillance team.

Lets talk first about the drought…

CFR— Weather in Cuba from 2015 to 2016 has been affected by the impact of two important events occurring at the same time: firstly the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which is important given the extreme weather anomalies it produces throughout the entire region, and the drought which began in the 2014 rainy season.

This period was characterized by below average accumulated rainfall levels in the country’s western region, with the drought then spreading to the central and eastern part of the island. When we entered the dry period (November 2014-April 2015) there was a shortage of rainfall across approximately 66% of the country, representing the fourth driest period since 1961 for the island’s western region.

Then came the 2015 rainy season (May-October), which also saw below average rainfall levels for the largest island in the Greater Antilles. Meanwhile the westernmost region of the country continued to be the worst affected. The result: a severe drought following three consecutive months of below average rainfall for the period.

Afterwards, we entered into the dry period which recently concluded last month (November 2015-April 2016). Generally speaking this phase ended on a high. Even from October total rainfall has been substantial.

What has been affecting rainfall levels?

CFR— Rainfall levels are essentially associated with processes of atmospheric circulation which were consistent with the effects of El Niño. This phenomenon began in March 2014, reaching its peak at the end of the year, declining from then through November-December 2015, and is currently continuing to decline. Results of climate models suggest that everything is returning to normal.

Twenty-eight new highs were recorded by Meteorological Institute weather stations in April 2015. Photo: Jorge Luis González
The El Niño weather pattern occurs in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and refers to ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures, an event which affects almost the entire planet.

The weather phenomena which occurred during the months of November, December and January, were the result of abnormal conditions caused by El Niño.

What kind of weather can we expect to see from May-October 2016?

MHS— About 80% of the country’s total yearly rainfall occurs during Cuba’s rainy season. The rains start in the east of the island, then move toward the center and start to fall in the west around the end of May. They are generally the result of tropical hurricanes.

You must bear in mind that the current rainy period is affected by the retreat of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Its decline in the equatorial Pacific Ocean normally coincides with a decrease in rainfall.

However, for the August-September-October period climate models indicate a strong probability of above average rainfall. The majority of El Niño models predict the future development of the La Niña phenomenon, in the equatorial Pacific. This usually impacts the hurricane season resulting in increased activity over the period.

Thus we could see close to average rainfall for the months of May to June, and close to or higher than average levels from August to October.

With El Niño in retreat and La Niña approaching, will this bring enough rainfall?

CFR— In Cuba’s case the effects ofEl Niño are most prevalent with increased rainfall during the dry season. Studies carried out thus far at the Weather Center have shown that El Niño is not associated with droughts. Drought is a multi-causal event linked to processes which range from insufficient precipitation producing mechanisms to little atmospheric humidity.

When an extreme weather event starts to decline, it is usually followed by a very dry rainy period.

Given the lack of rainfall, even if the country reaches average rainfall levels, this still won’t be sufficient to relieve the current deficit.

If predictions are correct for the three month period of August-September-October, and we see above average rainfall, this could definitely help to alleviate our current situation.

Are El Niño and La Niña cyclical weather events? Do they alternate?

CFR— El Niño and La Niña are the same phenomenon, the first is linked to above-average sea surface temperatures while La Niña is the opposite, that is to say it is caused by below-average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. They are two different stages of the same event.

In Cuba’s case La Niña mainly affects tropical hurricane activity. Meanwhile, El Niño prevents hurricanes from forming in the Atlantic Ocean, whereas La Niña stimulates the process.

Any unexpected figures recorded last year?

MHS— We can tell you about how temperatures have behaved during 2015. That year we saw the highest average temperature recorded from 1951 to date.

This was due to global warming and was also influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Said high also caused above-average temperatures around the rest of the country for almost all of 2015, mainly during the summer months in the west of the island.

<>(Granma)

The organizers are inviting participants to the event to see how science is translated into community action and intervention, with emphasis on the theme of the forum, “Together we can change the course.”

The program includes debates, workshops, discussions and public opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate through art and culture, and promote the leadership of People Living with HIV through meaningful engagement and opportunities to strengthen their voices.

The program also includes activities for youth, the largest space dedicated to networking for young people during the conference.

Nearly half of new HIV infections worldwide occur in people under 25. Estimates show that each day more than 7,000 people are infected, 3,300 of whom are young.

Therefore, young people will have a visible presence within the conference, participating as delegates, organizers, speakers, leaders and peers. They will have their specific areas, but will also be encouraged to participate in general discussions, highlighted the organizing committee.

More than 20,000 delegates from around the world, including some of the most recognized experts in the field, will attend the important meeting, which has a broad agenda with topics divided into basic and clinical science, epidemiology and prevention, social and political sciences.

The knowledge competition will be held from July 14 until October 10, Juventud Rebelde newspaper reported.

Lazaro Ortiz will representing Cuba in mathematics, facing more than a hundred competitors in Mar del Plata starting July 13.

Irodiel Viñales will defend the Cuban national colors at the Latin American Chemistry Olympiad in Santa Fe, Argentina, from September 23 to October 10.

In Italy, from Sept 23 to 30 Luis Enrique Bernal will represent Cuba in the International Informatics Olympiad, while Alejandro Lazaro Alfonso will participate in the Latin American Physics Olympiad from Sept 17 to 22 in Granada, Spain.