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Objective: This study was aimed at examining the vulnerability of Central Africa to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Demographic, health, and socio-economic indicators were used to describe the vulnerability. The study period was from December 31st, 2019 to May 31st, 2020 (i.e. 5 months after the start of the pandemic). Results: According to demographic indicators, African populations appear younger than in Europe, Asia, and North America, where evidence showed a higher lethality of COVID-19 and a higher frequency of hospitalization among the elderly. This highlights the protective effect of the age structure of Central African populations. Their populations face significant vulnerability from high morbidity and a considerable deficit in health care facilities and services. Poverty indicators are not in their favour for a sustainable implementation of effective pandemic control measures. Very low literacy rates in some countries, misinformation, and belief in conspiracy theories could affect the community involvement in the response. Several countries are weakened by other humanitarian crises, including conflicts and other epidemics. The early easing of lockdown restrictions in certain countries could worsen the situation. Conclusion: In this sub-region, where the largest proportion of the population lives in poverty, poor sanitary conditions, conflicts, and humanitarian crises, the question of standards of prevention could appear to be a luxurious idea relegated to the background. Central African countries need financial and logistical support for a sustainable and effective response. These observations could be easily extrapolated to other sub-Saharan sub-regions.

The occupational risk of viral infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) is well documented. Although universal precautions were established many years ago their application is difficult in developing countries owing to organizational problems and a lack of necessary materials such as gloves and proper needle-disposal facilities. Data on the frequency and circumstances of occupational exposures in developing countries are sparse. We report data from Burundi a country with high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence based on a questionnaire that surveyed HCWs and auxiliary staff regarding perceptions of occupational exposure frequency of exposures as defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria circumstances of exposures and postexposure practices. We also estimated a cumulative risk for seroconversion to HIV and HCV due to parenteral exposure based on data from the survey. Kamenge University Hospital is located in Bujumbura the capital of Burundi. It is a 450-bed referral center with 344 HCWs and auxiliary staff members. Reporting exposures is not mandatory and exposed workers are not observed. All materials and care procedures are paid for by the individual exposed. Since 1993 the sociopolitical crisis in Burundi has led to a marked reduction in protective measures including gloves sterile injection equipment and containers for disposing of used needles and blades which are often reused. (excerpt)

Les Anciens Tenaient pour évident que la philosophie dans ses aspects les plus formels ne pouvait surgir que dans une société dont les composantes étaient suffisamment efficaces et spécialisées pour soustraire ses citoyens à l'obligation d'employer tout leur temps à s'assurer les nécessités de la vie. La philosophie ne serait-elle dans cette optique qu'une activité secondaire à laquelle l'homme s'adonne quand il a trouvé des solutions aux problèmes plus vitaux ou plus pressants qui l'assaillent? Une sorte de jeu de la pensée ou du langage, agréable certes pour des esprits d'une certaine tournure, mais occupé tout au plus à épiloguer sur ce que les hommes ont déjà accompli par d'autres moyens? La philosophie apparaîtrait donc, et c'est ainsi qu'elle est souvent perçue dans la société et même dans l'université, comme la manifestation d'une virtuosité de la raison à laquelle on tient comme aux bonnes manières prescrites par l'étiquette mais qu'on subordonne aux exigences plus fondamentales de l'existence: primo vivere, deinde philosophari.

La fondation d'une revue comme Dialogue s'accompagne de crainte et d'espoir. Crainte de ne pouvoir la faire vivre et progresser, crainte « inavouée » que la production philosophique ne soit pas à la hauteur de l'opinion que nous avons de nous-mêmes ou de ce que le monde extérieur attend de nous… Espoir cependant de consolider les structures d'une Association canadienne de philosophie à peine naissante, chancelante, mais vivant déjà d'un idéal exigeant et dont la revue porte le nom.