Thread by @WHO

LIVE on #Periscope: Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros.

pscp.tv/w/cX7l8jI2MTAy…

"Ten days ago, I joined President @EmmanuelMacron, President @vonderleyen and @melindagates to launch the ACT Accelerator, to support the development, production and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics against #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"Today, leaders from 40 countries all over the world came together to support the ACT Accelerator through the #COVID19 Global Response International Pledging Event, hosted by the @EU_Commission"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1257296540420300800?s=20

"During today’s event, some 7.4 billion euros was pledged for research and development for vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.

This was a powerful and inspiring demonstration of global solidarity"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Today, countries came together not only to pledge their financial support, but also to pledge their commitment to ensuring all people can access life-saving tools for #COVID19"-@DrTedros

"Recent advances in science are enabling the world to move at incredible speed to develop these tools.

But the true measure of success will not only be how fast we can develop safe and effective tools – it will be how equally we can distribute them"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"None of us can accept a world in which some people are protected while others are not.

Everybody should be protected.

None of us are safe until all of us are safe"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"The potential for continued waves of infection of #COVID19 across the globe demands that every single person on the planet be protected from this disease"-@DrTedros

"WHO remains committed to working with all countries and partners to accelerate the development and production of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, and to ensure their equitable distribution"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"This is an opportunity for the world to come together to confront a common threat, but also to forge a common future; a future in which all people enjoy the right to the highest attainable standard of health – and the products that deliver that right"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"But one of the best tools is also one of the most basic: clean hands"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #handhygiene

"The simple act of cleaning hands can be the difference between life & death & remains one of the most important public health measures for protecting individuals, families & communities against #COVID19 & many other diseases"-@DrTedros #HandHygiene

"Tomorrow is #HandHygiene Day - a reminder of the importance of clean hands for #healthworkers, and for all of us.

At the same time, we must remember that millions of people around the world are not able to practice this most basic of precautions"-@DrTedros

"Around the world, less than two-thirds of health care facilities are equipped with hand hygiene stations, and 3 billion people lack soap and water at home.

This is an old problem that requires new and vastly increased attention"-@DrTedros #HandHygiene #COVID19

"If we are to stop #COVID19 or any other source of infection, and keep #healthworkers safe, we must dramatically increase investments in soap, access to water, and alcohol-based hand rubs"-@DrTedros #HandHygiene

"Tomorrow also marks the International Day of the #Midwife.

This is an opportunity to remember the vital role that midwives play all over the world in providing safe and effective care for women and newborns"-@DrTedros

"Research shows that interventions delivered by midwives can avert over 80% of all maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths"-@DrTedros #SupportNursesAndMidwives

"Childbirth can be one of the most precious moments in a woman’s life, but it can also be one of the most dangerous.
Midwives are essential for guiding and caring for women through their entire pregnancy & the critical moment of childbirth"-@DrTedros #SupportNursesAndMidwives

"To mark #HandHygiene Day and the International Day of the #Midwife, we are calling all people to stop what they’re doing at noon tomorrow to clap 👏 for nurses and midwives, and to thank them for their role in delivering safe and effective care"-@DrTedros #ThanksHealthHeroes

"Several countries are now starting to ease so-called lockdown & #StayHome orders.

But our common commitment to basic measures such as cleaning hands and physical distancing cannot be relaxed"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Nor can the commitment to the tools that are the foundation of the response: to find, isolate, test and care for every case, and trace every contact.

And to ensure health systems have the capacity they need to provide safe and effective care for all"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"But just as the number of new cases & deaths is declining in some countries, it is mounting in others.

That’s why today’s pledging event is so important. This virus will be with us for a long time & we must come together to develop & share the tools to defeat it"-@DrTedros

"But of course, today’s event only covers one part of the response – for R&D in vaccines, diagnostics & therapeutics.

In the weeks & months ahead, we will need much more to meet the demand for personal protective equipment, medical oxygen & other essential supplies"-@DrTedros

"Later this week, WHO will launch its updated Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which will provide an update of the resources WHO needs to support the international response and national action plans to the end of 2020"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"WHO is grateful to the many countries and donors who supported the first Strategic & Preparedness & Response Plan"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We’re also grateful to the more than 300,000 individuals, corporations and foundations who have contributed to the #COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund, which has generated more than USD 210M in the past 6 weeks"-@DrTedros bit.ly/COVID19Donate

The full briefing on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/3fkSNqj