ISLAMABAD: The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against complacency as countries continue to confront COVID-19 and citizens grow weary of stay-at-home measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that most countries are still in the very early stages of their epidemics, while some that had been affected earlier are now starting to see resurgence in cases.
“Make no mistake: we have a long way to go. This virus will be with us for a long time”, he stated.
The global COVID-19 caseload has reached nearly 2.5 million, and more than 160,000 deaths.
Tedros told journalists that although lockdowns and physical distancing have helped suppress transmission in many countries, the virus remains “extremely dangerous”. Most of the global population continues to be highly susceptible, which means epidemics can easily re-ignite.
“One of the greatest dangers we face now is complacency. People in countries with stay-at-home orders are understandably frustrated with being confined to their homes for weeks on end”, he said.
“People understandably want to get on with their lives, because their lives and livelihoods are at stake. That’s what WHO wants too. And that’s what we are working for, all day, every day.”
However, Tedros said moving forward will have to mean accepting “a new normal”, and forging a world that is healthier, safer and better prepared.
He underlined the six public health measures WHO has been advocating since the pandemic started, which centre around detection, isolation, testing, treatment and quarantine. “Countries that don’t do these six central things, and do them consistently, will see more cases, and more lives will be lost”, said Tedros.
“We also issued a call with the World Trade Organization, calling on countries to ensure the normal cross-border flow of vital medical supplies and other goods and services, and to resolve unnecessary disruptions to global supply chains”, Tedros further said. “We need to ensure these products reach those in need quickly, and we emphasize the importance of regulatory cooperation and international standards.”
“Stigma and discrimination are never acceptable anywhere at any time, and must be fought in all countries”, he said, adding, “As I have said many times, this is a time for solidarity, not stigma”. – TLTP
Corona battle to last for long
