The WHO Director-General wished Donald Trump and Melania a speedy recovery. (File)
Geneva:
The World Health Organization on Friday wished US President Donald Trump a speedy recovery from Covid-19 and avoided criticizing his disdain for his advice on protection against the virus.
Trump has fiercely criticized the WHO and its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing the United Nations health agency of botching its response to the crisis.
The United States officially began its withdrawal from the WHO in July, building on Trump’s threats to deprive the organization of its largest donor.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wished Trump and his wife Melania, also infected, “a full and speedy recovery”, adding: “Our prayers are with them”.
But when asked about Trump’s disregard for wearing a face mask – which is recommended by the WHO where physical distance cannot be maintained – the organization’s emergency director, Michael Ryan, declined to be drawn.
“We usually don’t comment on the behavior of a particular person and we don’t know what risk management measures were in place for a particular person, especially someone as important as a president,” he said. declared.
“What we will reiterate is … the combination of different measures that reduce risk.
“Wash your hands, stay away from other people, avoid crowded spaces, wear a mask to protect yourself and others.”
Trump’s mask mockery
Trump has often mocked and played down the masks, saying he was safe due to frequent testing.
He has organized a growing number of outdoor re-election rallies with thousands in a hurry, and in most cases not covering their faces.
The new coronavirus has killed at least 1.02 million people and more than 34.4 million cases have been recorded since the outbreak of the epidemic, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.
The United States is the most affected country with more than 207,000 deaths in 7.28 million cases.
“There is no reason the United States of America can’t control this disease, take a turn, get this disease under control. But it takes work, the turns don’t turn on their own,” Ryan said. .
“Critical moment”
With more than a million deaths and around two million new cases recorded each week, Tedros said it was a “critical moment in the response to the epidemic”.
“We mourn the loss of so many people,” he said.
Tedros said if everyone sticks to the basics, including avoiding crowds, then “together we will eradicate this virus.”
“We urge every leader to strengthen their response.”
Throughout the pandemic, Tedros has repeatedly denounced the divisions within the international community, warning of the consequences of a lack of solidarity.
Trump, meanwhile, accused the WHO of being too close to Beijing and covering up the initial outbreak of the disease in China last December.
He said the outbreak could have been contained “with very few deaths” if the WHO had accurately assessed the situation in China.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
