Karim bags award for going ‘above and beyond’ during COVID-19

The chairperson of South Africa’s COVID-19 ministerial advisory committee, Prof Salim Abdool Karim, has been recognised for his work in spearheading the country’s fight against the pandemic, winning a prestigious award.

Karim has clinched the John Maddox Prize 2020 for standing up for sound science during the global health crisis. However he was not the only the recipient of the award, as Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States is also being acknowledged for his efforts.

“He has a reputation for clear and honest communication, something that has allowed him to generate public trust in fast-moving science. Respected for his international science advocacy, engaging with the media and the public has become integral to his role as a scientist,” the award’s organisers said of Karim.

The internationally-acclaimed scientist has acknowledged the honour and expressed gratitude.

“I am grateful to be a co-recipient of the 2020 John Maddox prize and honored to share it with my long-standing colleague and friend, Anthony Fauci. It is our duty as scientists to speak with integrity, be guided by the evidence and inform the public honestly,” Karim said.

Fauci lauded for ‘steadfastly’ responding to the public on COVID-19

His US counterpart, Fauci has been praised for actively responding to the pandemic, of which the country is the epicentre with more than 16 million cases and counting.

“Anthony Fauci is receiving the prize in recognition of his work to help the public understand both the science behind complex and controversial public health issues and how the nature of science influences government responses. While other government scientists have avoided the spotlight, he has steadfastly responded to questions from the public,” the statement further read.

The duo has been lauded for communicating the complex and changing science of COVID-19 to the public and policymakers, in the midst of international uncertainty and anxiety.

Fauci has often been at loggerheads with US President Donald Trump and has even called him out for fueling misinformation about the disease. His work has however not gone unnoticed by the next man set to occupy the oval office as President-elect Joe Biden has asked Fauci to stay on in his role as the country’s top expert.

Healthcare workers in Wuhan, China, the alleged origin of the coronavirus, have also been recognised.

“These doctors from Wuhan General Hospital went above and beyond to communicate their concerns about the presence of a novel Coronavirus, particularly when considering the positions they were in and consequences they were likely to face”