FACES OF THE NEWS
Scott Morrison
While Australia avoided the massive rise in COVID-19 cases seen in other developed nations, the country’s slow vaccination rollout led to stop-and-go lockdowns. Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologized for the snail-paced inoculation just as New South Wales saw another record spike and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant. Morrison again said sorry for missing vaccination targets after jab purchases were apparently mishandled amid rising suspicions about the use of the AstraZeneca shot. “I take responsibility,” he said, pointing to matters “within our control” and “some things that are not.” He had set an October deadline for inoculating all adults in the country, and then pushed it back to the end of the year. The prime minister turned down a request by virus-hit Sydney for additional vaccines on Thursday, saying he would not disrupt the national vaccination program for his home city. Canberra, however, reversed his position the following day and sent 50,000 more Pfizer doses to the city battling the country’s worst COVID-19 outbreak.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, burned part of his $200-billion fortune to experience zero gravity when his New Shepard spacecraft eased past the Karman Line—the 100-kilometer limit set by aeronautics experts that separates space from the Earth’s atmosphere. Although a week behind fellow billionaire Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic in the space tourism race, Bezos flew higher and achieved more feats, like making the first unpiloted space flight with an all-civilian crew. Among the passengers of the New Shepard (named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space) were woman aviator Wally Funk, 82, and high school graduate Oliver Daemen, 18, now known as the oldest and youngest persons in space. Bezos said the 10-minute, 10-second trip was the first step toward a “road to space” and a potential multibillion-dollar tourism industry. “The demand is very, very high. Big things start small.” Not to be outdone, fellow billionaire Elon Musk now plans to send an all-civilian crew on an orbital mission around the Earth in September.
Rontgene Solante
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante sounded the alarm that a local transmission of the more infectious Delta variant could be taking place, following the detection of local cases in different parts of the country. On July 22, the Department of Health confirmed that the clusters of Delta variant were linked to other cases and indicated local transmission. Solante was the one who recommended the imposition of a general community quarantine for the rest of the year, amid the presence of the more virulent variant of SARS-CoV-2 and the tight global supply of COVID-19 vaccines. He said full protection for only 40 percent of the population was “still way below” herd immunity, but it was a better and more realistic goal to achieve population protection this year. Solante, a member of the government’s Vaccine Experts Panel, maintained that all COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing hospitalization and death, while reminding the public to keep observing the minimum health protocols. —MARICAR CINCO
Thomas Bach
Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), had absorbed some bad press because of his decision to let the Tokyo Games proceed as rescheduled. The Japanese have not been particularly fond of him of late, as opinion polls showed that a large majority didn’t want the athletic spectacle to take place at all. On Friday, during the toned-down opening ceremonies, Bach again drew criticism from the locals for speaking too long, in fact about twice as long as his Japanese female host, Seiko Hashimoto. Although it drew on familiar themes of peace, solidarity and gratitude for overcoming the coronavirus hardships, Bach’s speech immediately came under fire on Twitter and in mainstream Japanese media. On July 19, he also attracted attention for attending a swanky welcome party with nearly 40 guests, just when Tokyo has been riding a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections and enduring another state of emergency. Later this week, his right-hand man at the IOC, John Coates, drew allegations of misogyny.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
From peddling watches in the streets of Athens, Giannis Antetokounmpo tried his luck in the NBA and has given fans one of the best rags-to-riches-to-champion stories to tell the world. His early years in professional basketball marked an almost unthinkable struggle. “When I came to the league, I didn’t know where my next meal will come from. My mom was selling stuff in the street,” the 26-year-old superstar recalled. The latest hard-court hero said the experience motivated him to be the best player that he could be. “Now I’m here sitting at the top of the top. I’m extremely blessed. I hope this can give everybody around the world, from Africa, from Europe, hope it can be done. I want them to believe in their dreams,” Antetokounmpo said. Milwaukee took a chance on this late-bloomer, selecting him 15th overall in the 2013 Draft. The Greek Freak now has two MVP awards, a Finals MVP plum and a Defensive Player of the Year award. He has promised to keep the NBA crown in Milwaukee next season.