Covid Update

Vaccine may be available as a pill before end of year

FENDING off Covid-19 and avoiding potential trips to the hospital could soon be as simple as taking a pill, according to America’s CBS News.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the drug manufacturer is working to introduce an experimental tablet to treat the disease at its onset and, hopefully, would be available by the end if the year. In March, Pfizer began an early-stage clinical trial of a new antiviral therapy for the coronavirus.

The drug could potentially be prescribed “at the first sign of infection, without requiring that patients are hospitalised or in critical care,” Dr Mikael Dolsten, chief scientific officer and president, worldwide research, development and medical of Pfizer, said.

Part of a group of medicines called ‘protease inhibitors’, which are used to treat HIV and Hepatitis C, the drug curbs production of enzymes needed for the virus to multiply in human cells.

Dr Neeta Ogden said the

Part of a group of medicines used to treat HIV and Hepatitis C...’ ”

proposed pill could be a “game changer”.

Should clinical trials prove successful and the necessary agencies approve the drug, it could be available before the end of 2021, Mr Bourla said.

Dr Ogden told reporters: “We haven’t seen medication even discussed on the horizon that one can take early on or prophylactically if you’ve been exposed, kind of like what we have for the flu. “The virus continues to mutate, and it will continue to be present in some form, and we need to have these kinds of remedies that we can take at the first sign of symptoms that will prevent spread, that will prevent severity, that will prevent hospitalisations.”

Pfizer — which developed the first approved Covid-19 with German drugmaker BioNTech — is continuing to test its vaccine in six-monthold to 11-year-old children. The company last month asked America’s Federal Drugs Agency (FDA) to widen its vaccine authorisation to adolescents between 12 to 15 years old after studies found it to be effective. Mr Bourla told reporters he was “very optimistic” the agency would grant its request.

This is our story

BY: TOLUWANI AKAEHOMEN

WHEN Ireland began to welcome African people into its communities, one of the key things which appeared to have been missed was how different Africans are from one another. There is one plausible reason for this, apart from the fact that Africans all share a common heritage – our hopes, dreams and aspirations were very similar. Most, if not all of us came in search of a better future for ourselves and our children. So, in well-worn suitcases, loaded with unrealised dreams, the hope of a better tomorrow and the divine promise of a new life, we arrived the shores of the Céad Míle Fáilte.

For the African community in Kilkenny, our journey has been fraught with many challenges, both within and without. From internal strains stemming from ethnic misunderstanding and strife, fixed mindset, loss of identity, and distrust, to external struggles against (conscious and unconscious) biases, discrimination, racism, high levels of unemployment, and socioeconomic exclusion, our lived experiences are our story and our song.

As the African community strives to overcome these challenges, unsurprisingly, the Kilkenny African Community (the organisation which serves as the voice of the African community) has also gone through its own internal battles. The first wave of the pandemic and the resultant lockdown provided the opportunity for an evaluation - how did we get here, how do we get out and where are we going?

As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home”. The call was to first put our house in order. To this end, we have had series of well-facilitated meetings, so that we can be better placed to serve the African community, as well as the entire Kilkenny community.

As the Steering Committee of the Kilkenny African Community continues to work with renewed vigour to deliver an African community focused on active citizenship, community engagement and development, we ask that you become our allies, so that we can collectively strive for a more inclusive, equitable, just and fair Kilkenny.

Education, Excellence, Opportunity Waterford College of Further Education opens the door to a world of opportunity

‘Education, Excellence, Opportunity’ is the motto of Waterford College of Further Education (WCFE) and it fully lives up to those three ideals, providing first class education, by excellent teachers, which opens the door to a world of opportunity for its students.

The college, located in the heart of Waterford city, offers the largest range of Further Education courses in the South East.

It is listed as one of Ireland’s top 10 Further Education colleges and has an outstanding reputation for high quality courses that offer progression to both employment and third level study, in Ireland and internationally.

“Our innovative approach to education offers our students an individualised experience, tailored support and industry level qualifications,” says WCFE Principal Noreen Reilly.

“No other college in the South East provides the range of courses offered by WCFE. We offer a unique learning environment, cutting edge technology, industry-level facilities and powerful progression opportunities.”

WCFE invites would-be students to come and experience its impressive range of facilities. These include: • Engineering labs and an indoor sustainable construction site; • A tourism training lab; • A professional recording studio and digital radio studio; • Two professional hair salons and three professional beauty therapy salons; • A bespoke dance studio and a fully equipped gym; • Professional animal care and grooming parlours. • Complementary yoga classes for students of Alter-

native Therapies provided by SoundEscape Yoga with

Michelle • Film equipment and lighting

There is also a robotics and CAD room, a photography studio, an art studio, multiple blended learning stations in the library facility, and much, much more.

WCFE’s courses are ideal for people who wish to return to education, or students who have completed their Leaving Certificate and want to explore career options before committing to a third level programme.

“Our blend of QQI accredited courses and apprenticeships are designed to maximise employment opportunities,” says Noreen. “We have linked schemes with some of the most prestigious third level institutions, both here and abroad. Our students are qualified and ready.”

WCFE’s central location makes access easy. And it is very affordable. The college’s enrolment price point of around €500 compares very favourably to third level enrolment fees for first year.

WCFE offers an individualised experience with small class sizes that guarantee maximum support.

“We are a learner focused college and all our students are supported from the beginning to the end of their chosen course,” Noreen Reilly adds.

If that is what you are looking for, you should check out the 40 course options at wcfe.ie

For more information log on to http://www.http://wcfe. ie/ phone 051-874053, email: info@wcfe.ie or call into the college on Parnell Street, Waterford

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Our Childcare Course is Changing

Our brand new Advanced Early Learning & Care award is one of the most specialised childcare programmes in the country and will replace the previous Childcare course at WCFE. This brand new programme is offered over two years, allowing you to do one year for a Level 5 qualification, or two years for the full advanced award. The new award is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a career in the childcare, or early learning sector. Graduates from this new course will be the first to enter the workplace with this new qualification, making them very competitive in the employment market. If you want to study childcare, then apply for our new course: Advanced Early Learning & Care

APPLY NOW AT wcfe.ie