Tanzania

Struck by this picture of polling in Tanzania, presumably taken in the last day or so. They may have their problems there, but coronavirus does not seem to be one of them.

Poking around, I get from June: 'the corona disease has been eliminated thanks to God," Mr Magufuli told worshippers in a church in the capital, Dodoma ... Mr Magufuli has repeatedly said the health crisis has been exaggerated and urged people to attend services in churches and mosques, saying that prayers "can vanquish" the virus'. And from August: 'more than 88 days have passed since Tanzania reported even a single new coronavirus case — far longer than any other African country. Tanzania’s president has declared the scourge “absolutely finished” and encouraged tourists to come back'.

Which all seemed a bit suspicious - until I looked at the map of Africa provided at reference 1, which suggests that much of Africa has indeed got off relatively lightly. For some reason or other which we will no doubt get to know about eventually. Along with Canada, Russia, China, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

Tanzania is a large country of around 55m people, maybe two thirds Christian, one third Moslem. It is not as if I pay much attention, but I do not recall reading of serious trouble between the two faiths. Perhaps inter-faith troubles are dwarfed by other kinds of diversity, with Wikipedia reporting more than 100 different languages.

While here in Europe we seem to be getting into trouble again - while most other places seem to be getting out of it. This being the helpful chart provided by the Financial Times. For me, the most helpful single graphic that I have come across. Updated on a weekly basis.  

Reference 1: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/.