Thread by @kakape

“No disease in history has seen such rapid development in research”, says @DrTedros at @WHO presser on #covid19. “Now, the world's ambition to develop these tools as fast as possible, must be matched by its ambition to ensure as many people as possible have access to them."

@DrTedros @WHO Makes same point made he and @antonioguterres made earlier today at 1st meeting of facilitation council: That the ACT accelerator needs additional funding of $35 billion to develop and equitably distribute #covid19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres Role of the facilitation council is "to provide political leadership and advocacy and to mobilize additional resources”, says @DrTedros. High level event to be held at the United Nations General Assembly on 30th September, he says.

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres “Every 40 seconds, someone somewhere dies by suicide”, says @DrTedros, acknowledging that today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. "Tragically, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres What to do? "restricting access to the means of suicide, including pesticides and firearms, building life skills, among young people that enable them to cope with stressors in their life, early identification, management and follow-up of people at risk suicide”, says @DrTedros.

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres Q about Trump quotes on #Covid19 from Bob Woodward’s new book.
“I have no comment on that particular question”, says @DrTedros.

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres Q about pause in Astra Zeneca vaccine study
Perhaps "a lesson for everyone to recognize the fact that there are ups and downs in research”, says @doctorsoumya. “We have to be prepared for those.” Says time to wait for determination by data safety and monitoring board now.

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya “It is possible that we may start getting some results, at least interim results by the end of the year”, says @doctorsoumya on vaccine trials that started this summer. "However, you know, follow-up for safety needs to continue longer, but the minimum is six months."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya "It's a race against this virus. And it's a race to save lives”, says @DrMikeRyan on #covid19 vaccine “race”. "It's not a race between companies. It's not a race between countries. It's a race to support public health in the safest and most effective way possible."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan Q why cases in Europe rising but deaths staying low
Combination of factors, says @mvankerkhove.
1. “We know so much more about this virus than we did in the beginning, so much more about how to find cases earlier, how to provide clinical care for cases depending on the severity."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove 2. "we are in a better position to prevent the virus from infecting vulnerable populations”
3. Testing expanded, so finding more mild cases
"But I do think we need to be careful. … We still don't know the long term effects of this virus."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove “We are connected together in a way for which there is no way back. Our countries are connected our people, our families”, says @DrMikeRyan. That connectedness has allowed the virus to spread. “We need to turn that connectedness back into our greatest strength.”

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove “What connects us allows the virus to spread. But what connects us allows us to stand together in the face of that virus”, says @DrMikeRyan.

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove “There are many people that are going through very very difficult times right now”, says @mvankerkhove referencing #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. “We're all in different situations and it's very challenging for all of us. But if you need help, please reach out.”

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Q: 1/2 year tomorrow since @WHO called pandemic. How did it do?
@DrMikeRyan: “We have worked under the leadership of Dr Tedros every single day, every single night across our 6 regional offices, 147 country offices and with 194 member states to stand in the face of this virus."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove “We celebrate the bravery of frontline health workers.
We stand with all of those people around the world who struggle to get by in this pandemic. It's very sad”, says @DrMikeRyan. “All of us, every citizen of this planet is tired."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove “We're not in the same position we were in the beginning, countries have learned a lot”, says @mvankerkhove. "We have all learned a lot about what works in terms of suppressing transmission, in terms of saving lives."

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove "I think what we're seeing now is countries are trying to open up their societies and get back to this new normal that we all crave, that we all desire, applying these measures in a more localized way”, says @mvankerkhove

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Q: Are any #covid19 vaccine trials using human challenge models?
"I do not believe that a protocol has been submitted for a challenge trial”, says @DrMikeRyan. “We're not aware of such a challenge trial having been initiated or started.”

@DrTedros @WHO @antonioguterres @doctorsoumya @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Q to @DrTedros: What concerns you the most?
“What worries me the most is what I have been saying all along: A lack of solidarity. Because when solidarity lacks and when we are divided, that's a very good opportunity for the virus and that's why it's still spreading."