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!
From the editor's desk: The weakest link Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Lately I’ve been getting an ever-increasing number of articles on cybersecurity in my inbox. It’s easy to put it on the backburner, but there is no doubt that this is a very serious problem that’s not ...
Read more...Loop signature 22: How cyclical disturbances affect a control loop Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice
When tuning noisy loops, we recommend in our courses that one should eliminate the noise by editing it out, so the tuning will be done only on the true process response, free of any noise. The controller is controlling the process, and is not controlling the noise.
Read more...VEGA takes the pressure out of water pressure measurement VEGA Controls SA
Editor's Choice
Water treatment systems in metropolitan areas require careful monitoring and management processes across widespread networks. However, process plants choosing VEGA for their process automation know that the company offers more than just precise and reliable pressure sensors and instrumentation.
Read more...Bringing Industry 4.0 to a castings foundry for heavy industries
Editor's Choice
Moving to Industry 4.0 takes time and determination, especially for an established company in a heavy industry. Castings foundry, POK in Mexico has moved toward Industry 4.0 in a series of steps over several years, changing from manual to automated systems for more available, immediate and reliable data.
Read more...SMOM – the future is here now Iritron
Editor's Choice IT in Manufacturing
In his presentation at the recent MESA Africa conference, Neels van der Walt, business development manager at Iritron, revealed the all-encompassing concept of smart mining operations management (SMOM), and why it is inextricably linked to the future of worldwide mining operations.
Read more...Navigating disruption in manufacturing
Editor's Choice IT in Manufacturing
When considering IT in manufacturing, the underlying assumption is twofold: first, a wave of valuable maturing technologies can be harnessed to create new business value, and second, the environment in which these technologies will be applied will be relatively predictable, with change following a manageable, evolutionary path. However, recent disruptions have shattered these assumptions.
Read more...The fascination of movement
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
A motor from Faulhaber provides gentle motion for the finest watches in the world.
Read more...From the editor's desk: The little helicopter that could Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
The thrill of space exploration captures our imagination. I‘ve been following NASA’s Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter with fascination as these tiny vehicles pushed the boundaries of scientific achievement.