Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros. #coronavirus pscp.tv/w/cVn0yjI2MTAy…

"The #COVID19 pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on families, communities and nations the world over.

But it’s also giving rise to incredible acts of generosity, solidarity and cooperation"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We have said consistently that we’re all in this together, and we can only succeed together. We need an all-of-society approach, with everyone playing their part.

That includes people in the entertainment industry"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Today I’m delighted to be joined by one of the biggest names in entertainment - @ladygaga & by my friend @Hughcevans, the founder & CEO of @GlblCtzn.
WHO has been working with Global Citizen for several weeks on the #TogetherAtHome” concert series"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Now we’re working with @ladygaga & @GlblCtzn to take this concept and make it even bigger, through the “One World: #TogetherAtHome virtual global special on Saturday, the 18th of April. I’d like to thank them for their partnership and leadership"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"As the #COVID19 pandemic continues, we recognise that individuals and governments want to do everything they can to protect themselves & others. So do we"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"We understand that some countries have recommended or are considering the use of both medical and non-medical masks in the general population to prevent the spread of #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"First and foremost, medical masks must be prioritized for #healthworkers on the front lines of the response.

We know medical masks can help to protect health workers, but they’re in short supply globally"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We are concerned that the mass use of medical masks by the general population could exacerbate the shortage of these specialized masks for the people who need them most.

In some places, these shortages are putting #healthworkers in real danger"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"In health care facilities, WHO continues to recommend the use of medical masks, respirators & other personal protective equipment for #healthworkers"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"In the community, we recommend the use of medical masks by people who are sick & those who are caring for a sick person at home"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"WHO has been evaluating the use of medical and non-medical masks for #COVID19 more widely.

Today, WHO is issuing guidance and criteria to support countries in making that decision"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"For example, countries could consider using masks in communities where other measures such as cleaning hands and physical distancing are harder to achieve because of lack of water or cramped living conditions"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"If masks are worn, they must be used safely and properly. WHO has guidance on how to put on, take off and dispose of masks.

What is clear is that there is limited research in this area"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"We encourage countries that are considering the use of masks for the general population to study their effectiveness so we can all learn.

Most importantly, masks should only ever be used as part of a comprehensive package of interventions"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"There is no black or white answer, and no silver bullet. Masks alone cannot stop the #COVID19 pandemic. Countries must continue to find, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact"-@DrTedros #coronavirus

"Mask or no mask, there are proven things all of us can do to protect ourselves and others – keep your distance, clean your hands, cough or sneeze into your elbow, and avoid touching your face"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"Less than 100 days since WHO was notified about the new #coronavirus, research has accelerated at incredible speed.

The viral genome was mapped in early January and shared globally, which enabled tests to be developed and vaccine research to start"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"More than 70 countries have joined WHO's Solidarity Trial to accelerate the search for an effective treatment. And about 20 institutions & companies are racing to develop a vaccine"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"WHO is committed to ensuring that as 💊 & vaccines are developed, are shared equitably with all countries & people.
I thank the @MedsPatentPool & @UNITAID for the initiative they announced last Friday to include 💊 & diagnostics for #COVID19 in their licensing pool"-@DrTedros

"I also thank the President of #CostaRica, @CarlosAlvQ, & the Health Minister, Daniel Salas, for their proposal to create a pool of rights to tests, medicines & vaccines, with free access or licensing on reasonable & affordable terms for all countries"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"I support this proposal, and we are working with #CostaRica to finalize the details.
Poorer countries & fragile economies stand to face the biggest shock from the #COVID19 pandemic, & leaving anyone unprotected will only prolong the health crisis & harm economies more"-@DrTedros

"I call on all countries, companies and research institutions to support open data, open science and open collaboration so that all people can enjoy the benefits of science and research"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus

"We are nearing the end of the #Ebola outbreak in #DRC. If there are no more cases, the govt of 🇨🇩 could declare the outbreak over as early as this Sunday. We’re not there yet & we remain on full response mode. We’re continuing to investigate alerts & to test samples"-@DrTedros

"This would not have been possible without the incredible #healthworkers who have put themselves at risk for more than 18 months to stop the #Ebola outbreak in #DRC"-@DrTedros

"Just as #healthworkers are putting themselves in danger to save lives from #COVID19, health workers in #DRC faced the double threat of fighting a deadly #Ebola virus in one of the world’s most dangerous and unstable regions"-@DrTedros

"Tomorrow is WHO’s birthday – a day we celebrate each year as #WorldHealthDay.

This year, we’re paying tribute to the incredible contribution of all #healthworkers, especially nurses & midwives"-@DrTedros #SupportNursesAndMidwives

"Nurses & midwives are the backbone of every health system. They’re there from the first moments of life to the last.
Tomorrow we are publishing our first report on the state of the 🌍’s nursing, which highlights gaps & makes recommendations for all countries"-@DrTedros

"One of the lessons I hope the world learns from #COVID19 is that we must invest in #healthworkers – not only to protect lives, but also to protect livelihoods"-@DrTedros #SupportNursesAndMidwives

The full briefing on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/2XdCAfR