Geneva: The World Health Organization’s chief on Monday slammed some government leaders for eroding public trust by sending mixed messages on the coronavirus and warned that their failures to stop their countries’ spiraling outbreaks mean there would be no return to normal for the foreseeable future.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus did not call out specific politicians for criticism but said too many countries are headed in the wrong direction” with the pandemic and some were not taking the proper steps to curb infections.
At the same time, Tedros acknowledged how difficult it was for governments to respond effectively, given the economic, social and cultural consequences of imposing restrictions.
The virus remains public enemy No. 1, but the actions of many governments and people do not reflect this, he said.
The director-general’s remarks to reporters in Geneva came a day after WHO reported yet another worldwide record of more than 230,000 confirmed cases in 24 hours. Ten countries accounted for 80% of the daily tally reported Sunday, and more than half of the new confirmed cases came from the United States and Brazil alone.
The U.N. health agency said government and individual responses should depend on local conditions – namely, whether there is widespread community spread of the virus.
Mixed messages from leaders are undermining the most critical ingredient of any response: trust, Tedros said on Monday, adding that governments should communicate clearer public health messages and individuals should maintain social distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing and staying home when they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Without applying basic outbreak-control methods, there is only one way this pandemic is going to go, WHO chief Tedros cautioned. “It’s going to get worse and worse and worse, he said, continuing with a blunt warning. There will be no return to the old normal for the foreseeable future. Still, WHO pointed to a sign of hope in countries that had experienced massive outbreaks and death tolls and managed to get the virus under control. (AP)