This is his last "From the editor's desk" that Steven Meyer wrote before his death in early January 2022.
As I write this column at the end of November, the world is once again plunged into uncertainty by the emergence of a new mutation of the coronavirus. First observed by local researchers in southern Africa, the detection of the Omicron variant sent shivers through the developed world resulting in an instantaneous knee-jerk reaction.
Steven Meyer, Editor.
Travel bans were immediately put in place just as the region’s tourism industry was gearing itself for the influx of foreign visitors seeking to swap a freezing northern hemisphere winter for some glorious African sunshine. The implications for the already beleaguered local tourism industry are potentially devastating, not to mention the negative impact on South Africa’s fragile economic recovery. Et tu Omicron?
Other problems aside though, the pandemic situation is one that we should be able to get on top of because there is now enough evidence to show that once a critical mass of a country’s population has been vaccinated, life pretty much goes back to normal. One hundred and thirty-five thousand ‘unmasked’ motorsport fans at the 2021 Indianapolis 500 is surely proof enough? And if it isn’t, how about the packed stadiums that the English football clubs are once again enjoying? (Admittedly Manchester United might wish it was still playing to empty stadiums.)
At the time of writing, the USA had vaccinated some 60% of its population (195 million people), while the UK stood at close to 70% (46 million). By contrast, South Africa lags with only 24% of its adult population (14,4 million) fully vaccinated – and therein lies the rub.
According to worldometers.info, 5 236 750 people have died of Covid-19 to date. Data on the number of deaths that can be directly attributed to the vaccine are difficult to come by, but according to covid-101.org, a total of 6207 deaths (0,0018% of doses) were reported in the USA for the period December 2020 to July 2021. Of these, three deaths were attributed to vaccine-related blood clots – now treatable – and doctors concluded that there was no corroborating evidence to suggest that the vaccine contributed directly to any other patients’ deaths. And yes, I know there is a lot of fake news out there, but dare I suggest that in this case the initial reaction to the blood clot problem was overdone due to the lack of available data at the time?
To me as an engineer (admittedly in a previous life) the data suggests that those countries with high vaccination figures are far better off than those that have dragged their heels. Feel free to write to me about this if you wish – in agreement or otherwise – as we really do need to get our act together now!
Best wishes for 2022
With the end-of-year festivities now just a memory, we at SA Instrumentation and Control hope you have all returned to work safe, rested and ready to face the challenges of another year. Here’s wishing all our readers and advertisers the very best for 2022!
Yokogawa digital plant to accelerate green hydrogen revolution Yokogawa South Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Yokogawa explains how a digital plant approach and autonomous operations can integrate the full green hydrogen value chain, from renewable power generation to end-use applications, and why digitalisation and system integration are central to making green hydrogen viable in South Africa.
Read more...Next-generation autonomous mobile robots from Omron Robotics Omron Electronics
Editor's Choice
The new LD-150 and LD-300 autonomous mobile robots from Omron Robotics offer higher payload capacity and advanced navigation in a compact footprint, with wireless inductive charging and fleet management integration to support high-throughput material transport in demanding production environments.
Read more...DriveRadar and AI provide smarter maintenance in tough mining conditions SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice
SEW-EURODRIVE’s DriveRadar system has already embedded AI into predictive maintenance for African mining operations. Jonathan McKey explains how the system monitors external conditions, interprets data and tells operators exactly how much longer a drive can run safely before intervention becomes necessary.
Read more...From the editor's desk: The science of copying nature Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Some extreme weather we experienced recently has left me looking at nature with renewed awe. It also made me think about the inventions that we use every day that have been inspired by nature, especially ...
Read more...XTS for highly efficient end-of-line packaging of beverage bottles Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice
Italian machine builder Clevertech used Beckhoff’s XTS linear transport system to help a Dutch distillery double its bottle packaging throughput to 225 bottles per minute while cutting format changeover times from 30 minutes to just seven.
Read more...Motion control for flight simulators Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Turkish specialist, SANLAB is a leader in motion platforms and simulation technologies. At the heart of these platforms are application-specific servo drives, servomotors and industrial PCs for real-time control, which are supplied by Beckhoff.
Read more...Conductivity sensing as a cornerstone of South Africa’s water smart industry ifm - South Africa
Editor's Choice Sensors & Transducers
South Africa’s engineers operate at the intersection of resource constraint and industrial ambition. Few parameters illustrate this balancing act as clearly as water quality. Whether in municipal treatment works, food and beverage plants or mining operations, the ability to measure water quality accurately and continuously has become non-negotiable.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version