Coronavirus | SARS-CoV2 | COVID-19

Last Thursday WHO Director-General Dr Tedrosannounced the establishment of the Independent panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR)to evaluate the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is a time for self-reflection, to look at the world we live in and to find ways to strengthen our collaboration as we work together to save lives and bring this pandemic under control” said Dr Tedros.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros acknowledged how civil society has played a critical role in responding to this pandemic by highlighting the needs of the most vulnerable, fighting for an equitable response, and holding decision-makers to account, in his address to a webinar on “civil society engagement in COVID-19 response at national and local levels”, organised by WHO’s Health Partnerships department.

The Regional Office for the Americas has been holding webinars on a range of issues in relation to COVID-19. Tomorrow, they will hold a webinar focusing on‘Caring for the Carers: Managing your Mental Health While Caring for Others’.

As the region of the Americas reports 100,000 cases of COVID-19 a day, the Director of the WHO Regional Office of the Americas, Dr Carissa F. Etienne, has called for strong coordination across countries, evidence to guide leaders’ actions and for people to protect themselves and others.

A WHO survey has found that access to HIV medicines has been severely impacted by COVID-19. Seventy-three countries have warned that they are at risk of stock-outs of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the survey conducted ahead of the International AIDS Society’s biannual conference.

COVID-19 has changed our life: disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and personal protective equipment (PPE) have become tools in the fight against virus transmission. Most of these products contain chemicals. A webinar is being held tomorrow during which speakers will share the preliminary analysis of the chemical impact [of using these products] and outline recommendations to ensure the safety of chemical products being used to stop the spreading of the virus. 

WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Takeshi Kasaispoke of a ‘new normal’, one that improves both health and livelihoods during a virtual press conference with the World Economic Forum on COVID-19. He added “This ‘new future’ is the dividend of COVID-19 which WHO hopes for.”

The UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterresin his remarks to the Security Council on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security warned that the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting peace and security around the world. He stated that “Collective security and our shared well-being are under assault on many fronts led by a relentless disease and abetted by global fragilities.” 

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros and WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge addressed the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the global response to COVID-19. “The EU is in a unique position to provide global leadership in defining the ‘new normal’ as part of the global recovery,” Dr Tedros said, though he cautioned parliamentarians that, globally, the situation “is still getting worse.”

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros has emphasized the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to responding to the pandemic -- “Not testing alone. Not physical distancing alone. Not contact tracing alone. Not masks alone. Do it all”, he said during yesterday’s regular media briefing.