Coronavirus: outbreak_ WHO chief fiercely defends
- 4 years ago
The director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, delivered a powerful warning to world leaders to not politicize the response to COVID-19, saying doing so will lead to more deaths.
"If we want to win, please quarantine politicizing COVID-19," Tedros said.
Tedros made the stern comments at a WHO press briefing Wednesday in response to a question about recent criticisms made by U.S. President Donald Trump, defending the organization about what they've done since the first known case was brought to their attention 100 days ago.
"So my advice, three things," the director-general said, "please, unity at the national level, no using COVID for political points. Second, honest solidarity at the global level. And honest leadership from the U.S. and China."
Tedros also got personal, saying he received many criticisms and even death threats over the last three months, but cares more about humanity being insulted with politicizing a virus that has killed more than 60,000 people so far.
“If you don’t want any more body bags, then you must refrain from politicizing it.”
The WHO has been criticized for its decision not to call COVID-19 a pandemic until March 11, long after many experts suggested it should do so.
"If we want to win, please quarantine politicizing COVID-19," Tedros said.
Tedros made the stern comments at a WHO press briefing Wednesday in response to a question about recent criticisms made by U.S. President Donald Trump, defending the organization about what they've done since the first known case was brought to their attention 100 days ago.
"So my advice, three things," the director-general said, "please, unity at the national level, no using COVID for political points. Second, honest solidarity at the global level. And honest leadership from the U.S. and China."
Tedros also got personal, saying he received many criticisms and even death threats over the last three months, but cares more about humanity being insulted with politicizing a virus that has killed more than 60,000 people so far.
“If you don’t want any more body bags, then you must refrain from politicizing it.”
The WHO has been criticized for its decision not to call COVID-19 a pandemic until March 11, long after many experts suggested it should do so.