New York - The coronavirus pandemic is worsening, due
largely to failures outside of Europe and parts of Asia. But World
Health Organization director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says it's
not too late to get in the fight.
Without calling out anyone or any place by name, Ghebreyesus said
some countries were responsible in their handling of the outbreak and
are getting back to business safely. He also said several countries
are going in the wrong direction. There are different scenarios
playing out worldwide, the WHO director said at a press conference in
London.
"The first situation is countries that were alert and aware,"
Ghebreyesus said. "They prepared and responded rapidly and
effectively to the first cases."
He said the Mekong region, the Pacific, the Caribbean and parts of
Africa fell into that category. The doctor also credited much of
Europe, where "strong leadership" following an initial outbreak
helped manage a situation that could have been worse.
Then there were the other two categories.
Another situation playing out is in countries that initially reacted
to the outbreak then began pushing to reopen too soon.
A final situation is "those countries that are in the intense
transmission phase of their outbreak," he said. "We're seeing those
across the Americas, South Asia and several countries in Africa."
He called the Americas the "epicenter of the virus," noting that more
than half of the world's cases have been discovered. According to
Ghebreyesus, the Western Hemisphere should look east for guidance.
"We know from the first two situations that it is never too late to
bring the virus under control, even if there has been explosive
transmission," he said.
WHO believes that even in places where numbers are spiking, putting
reopening restrictions back in place will help combat the deadly
virus. Ghebreyesus made clear that WHO is "committed to working with
all countries" to end the global scourge that has infected nearly 13
million people worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.
"Let me be blunt," Ghebreyesus said, after again emphasizing the
importance of steady leadership. "Too many countries are headed in
the wrong direction. The virus remains public enemy number one, but
the actions of many governments and people do not reflect this."
He blamed "mixed messages" from some world leaders for undermining
the efforts of the global community and
"It does not have to be this way," Ghebreyesus said, calling on
"every single leader, every single government and every single
person" to do their part.
The U.S. notified the United Nations last week of the Trump
administration's intention to leave the WHO. The U.S. owed WHO nearly
200 million dollars in unpaid membership dues going into July,
according to NPR.
President Donald Trump has accused WHO of being slow to react as well
as showing favoritism to China, where coronavirus is believed to have
begun.
Trump, too, has been targeted for his handling of the pandemic, by
critics at home and abroad.
An ABC News poll published last week shows 67 per cent of Americans
disapprove of the president's response to the pandemic.