Thread by @kakape

#covid19 presser @WHO starts with @DrTedros saying some countries are considering when to lift #physicaldistancing measures and others when to introduce them. Both decisions must be "guided by what we know about the coronavirus and how it behaves”, he says.

@WHO @DrTedros "We’re all learning all the time and adjusting our strategy, based on the latest available evidence”, says @DrTedros. A clearer picture is emerging, he says: "We know that #COVID19 spreads fast, and we know that it is deadly, 10 times deadlier than the 2009 flu pandemic."

@WHO @DrTedros #SARSCoV2 spreads fast, @DrTedros warns: "In some countries, #COVID19 cases are doubling every 3 to 4 days.” Hard to slow the spread, he says. “The way down is much slower than the way up.”

@WHO @DrTedros Means that control measures must be lifted slowly and in a controlled way, says @DrTedros: "Control measures can only be lifted if the right public health measures are in place, including significant capacity for contact tracing"

@WHO @DrTedros But some countries
particularly low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America are still considering whether to introduce restrictions, says @drtedros. Explains the difficulties faced by many of such countries:

@WHO @DrTedros "Many poor people, migrants and refugees are already living in overcrowded conditions with few resources and little access to health care”, says @DrTedros. "How do you survive a lockdown when you depend on your daily labor to eat?”

@WHO @DrTedros .@WHO will tomorrow publish updated strategic advice for countries about when to implement measures and how to lift them.

@WHO @DrTedros Mentions 6 criteria for countries that want to lift restrictions:
- transmission controlled
- health system prepared to test, isolate cases, trace contacts
- nursing homes and hospitals protected from outbreaks
- prevention in schools etc.
- imports managed
- communities engaged

@WHO @DrTedros Q from Brazil about chloroquine. Should it be used? @drmikeryan says drug is being tested as part of Solidarity trial. Mentions that many patients need these drugs for other conditions, says in many cases they are life-saving in many cases.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan Q from India about competition for diagnostic tests. @DrMikeRyan says there is a lot of pressure on supplies of diagnostics, PPE and other essential supplies around the world. "It is really important that everyone remains disciplined in this process..."

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan Q about US threatening to withdraw funding from @WHO. US is largest contributor to WHO, says @drtedros. Says he has met Trump several times and talked on the phone two weeks ago. “I hope the funding to WHO will continue.”

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan Q about #covid19 situation now in Europe. Is turning point coming? "We all dearly hope that that is the case”, says @DrMikeRyan. on Number of confirmed cases and hospitalisations suggest things are stabilising. But: "Now is the time for vigilance, now is the time to double down."

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan On lifting restrictions:
“We need to have a much more stable exit strategy, that allows us to move stably and persistently away from lockdown”, says @DrMikeRyan.
Really important that the lifting of measures does not happen all at once all over Europe, says @mvankerkhove.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove At the moment individuals with symptoms who cannot get a test should isolate at home until their symptoms resolve plus an additional 14 days, says @mvankerkhove. Says WHO is checking whether those extra 14 days can be reduced based on available data.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Q from Guatemala about masks (now mandatory there):
@drmikeryan reiterates that wider use of masks should not divert resources from health care workers and that they don’t protect the wearer but may protect others.

@WHO @DrTedros @DrMikeRyan @mvankerkhove Do I detect @WHO shifting slightly on masks? @drmikeryan says there needs to be a comprehensive plan to combat #covid19. “If mask use is added to that, then I think WHO can see the value" (But not as alternative!) Putting on a mask is not the same as staying home, he says!