Paul Farmer: Memories of a global health champion

Debating a 4th shot; Ugandan teens back in school [View this email online]( [NPR]( Goats and Soda editor's note Dr. Paul Farmer (r.) and Dr. Sriram Shamasunder on Feb. 17. Farmer died Feb. 21. Courtesy of Chandler Villaverde I can't believe that Dr. Paul Farmer has died. Every year or so, I would find a reason to interview the physician with a passion to bring excellent health care to the poorest corners of the world through his organization Partners in Health. He'd answer my questions thoughtfully, sharing insights that often made me rethink my own views. When I asked about an inspiring spirit of resilience in Haiti, which he visited after the 2016 hurricane, he said, "In Sierra Leone during Ebola, I knew three doctors and two were dead of Ebola by November and, let me tell you, they were plenty resilient. That's why I worry about the term 'resilient.' " After the shocking news that [Farmer died on Monday in his sleep at age 62]( from a "cardiac event," we reached out to a doctor who had been inspired by Farmer years ago and went on to work with him. Dr. Sriram Shamasunder was teaching at the university Farmer co-founded in Rwanda just last week -- and Farmer was there. He had planned to leave the country but stayed on to see whether an AIDS patient with an infection would recover. Farmer had hoped for the best. The patient died. Shamsunder shared a Mary Oliver poem with Farmer to cope with the loss -- "To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go." Those words brought a tear to my eye as I thought of the loss of Dr. Farmer -- but also reminded me how important it is for global health advocates to never let go of his vision. [Read Dr. Shamasunder's essay here.]( Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- in the news ScJack Guez/AFP via Getty Images [Who might benefit from a 4th shot -- and who might not]( Some countries are moving ahead with plans to offer a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose. But studies are raising questions about the potential advantages of this extra booster. [Looks like non-mRNA vaccines can be as good as Pfizer and Moderna in certain scenarios]( The consensus has been that Pfizer and Moderna are most protective. But a study looking at 5 vaccines -- including Russia's Sputnik V and two Chinese types -- offers an unexpected finding. [Remembering 'Small,' the funeral singer who made joyful music in the face of death]( The Ghanian singer would vocalize and dance all night long to send off the departed. On the verge of his first trip abroad to perform, he has died, reportedly of COVID-19. photos Esther Ruth Mbabazi for NPR [Teen dreams and disappointments after the world's longest COVID school closure]( Schools in Uganda were shut nearly 2 years due to the pandemic. Now they're open again, although millions of kids won't go back. We speak to 6 teens about their plans and hopes. coronavirus faq Odd Andersen /AFP via Getty Images [Is it a good idea to get COVID before I'm over 60 and at higher risk?]( Say you're in your 50s. Maybe you're thinking, is it a good idea to catch SARS-CoV-2 now before you hit your 60s and would be at higher risk of severe illness? Or is that a very bad idea? links we like - ["Kabul Woman hauls goods by wheelbarrow to support family,"]( reports Tolo News. - The great Beninese singer [Angélique Kidjo "has heard it all."]( Read the interview with her in The New Yorker. - With [a song called "Goat,"]( comedian and musician AY Poyoo has become an internet star in Ghana. The BBC reports. - The New York Times travels the waters with the ["protectors of Congo's peatlands."]( --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]