Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/ccissDI2MTAy…

"Tomorrow marks six months since WHO received the first reports of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in #China.

The six-month anniversary of the outbreak coincides with reaching 10 million #COVID19 cases and 500 thousand deaths"-@DrTedros

"This is a moment for all of us to reflect on the progress we have made and the lessons we have learned, and to recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to save lives"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Six months ago, none of us could have imagined how our world – and our lives – would be thrown into turmoil by this new virus.

The #COVID19 pandemic has brought out the best and worst of humanity"-@DrTedros

"All over the world we have seen heartwarming acts of resilience, inventiveness, solidarity and kindness.

But we have also seen concerning signs of stigma, misinformation and the politicization of the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

"For the past six months, WHO and our partners have worked relentlessly to support all countries to prepare for and respond to this new virus"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Today, we are publishing an updated and detailed timeline of WHO’s response to the #COVID19 pandemic on our website.

It illustrates the range of WHO’s work to stop transmission and save lives"-@DrTedros

bit.ly/COVID19timeline

"We have worked with researchers, clinicians and other experts to bring together the evolving science and distil it into guidance.

Millions of #healthworkers have enrolled in courses through our OpenWHO.org online learning platform"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We launched the #COVID19 Solidarity Trial, to find answers fast to which drugs are the most effective"-@DrTedros

bit.ly/COVID19Solidar…

"We launched #COVID19 Solidarity Flights, to ship millions of test kits and tons of personal protective equipment to many countries"-@DrTedros bit.ly/2V5iyCP

"We launched the Solidarity Response Fund, which has raised more than USD 223 million for the #COVID19 response"-@DrTedros

bit.ly/COVID19Donate

"And we have worked with the @EU_Commission and multiple partners to launch the #COVID19 ACT Accelerator, to ensure that once a vaccine is available, it’s available to everyone – especially those who are at greatest risk"-@DrTedros bit.ly/3ayOP9K

"We launched the ACT Accelerator Investment Case, which estimates that more than USD 31B will be needed to accelerate the development, equitable allocation & delivery of vaccines, diagnostics & therapeutics by the end of next year"-@DrTedros #COVID19 bit.ly/3i6tzx2

:Over the weekend, WHO was proud to partner in the “Global Goal: Unite for Our Future” pledging conference, organized by the @EU_Commission & @GlblCtzn"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1276936747042177025?s=20

"The event mobilized new resources to respond to the #COVID19 pandemic globally, including in support of the ACT Accelerator"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1276936189673721862?s=20

"Although a vaccine will be an important long-term tool for controlling #COVID19, there are five priorities that every country must focus on now, to save lives now"-@DrTedros

"1⃣ empower communities
Every individual must understand that there are things everyone should do to protect themselves & others:
physical distancing
👐 hygiene
covering coughs
staying 🏠 if you feel sick
wearing 😷 when appropriate
sharing info from reliable sources"-@DrTedros

"You may be in a low-risk category, but the choices you make could be the difference between life and death for someone else"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"2⃣ suppress transmission
Whether countries have no #COVID19 cases, clusters of cases or community transmission, there are steps all countries can take to suppress the spread of the virus.

Ensure #healthworkers have access to training & personal protective equipment"-@DrTedros

"Improve surveillance to find #COVID19 cases"-@

The single-most important intervention for breaking chains of transmission is not necessarily high-tech and can be carried out by a broad range of professionals. It’s tracing and quarantining contacts"-@DrTedros

"3⃣ save lives

Early identification & clinical care saves lives.

Providing oxygen & #dexamethasone to people with severe & critical #COVID19 saves lives.

Paying special attention to high-risk groups, incl. elderly people in long-term care facilities, saves lives"-@DrTedros

"4⃣ accelerate R&D
We’ve learned a lot about the virus, but there’s still a lot we don’t know & there are still tools we need.
This week we'll convene a 2nd meeting to assess progress on R&D & re-evaluate research priorities for the next stage of the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros

"5⃣ political leadership

As we have said repeatedly, national unity and global solidarity are essential to implementing a comprehensive strategy to suppress transmission, save lives and minimize the social and economic impact of the virus"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"No matter what stage a country is at, these five priorities – if acted on consistently and coherently – can turn the tide.

WHO will continue to do everything in our power to serve countries with science, solidarity and solutions"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"The critical question that all countries will face in the coming months is how to live with this virus. That is the new normal"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Many countries have implemented unprecedented measures to suppress transmission and save lives.

These measures have been successful in slowing the spread of the virus. But they have not completely stopped it"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"Some countries are now experiencing a resurgence of cases as they start to re-open their economies and societies.

Most people remain susceptible. The virus still has a lot of room to move"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We all want this to be over. We all want to get on with our lives.

But the hard reality is: this is not even close to being over"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We’re all in this together, and we’re all in this for the long haul.

We will need even greater stores of resilience, patience, humility and generosity in the months ahead"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We have already lost so much – but we cannot lose hope.

This is a time for renewing our commitment to empowering communities, suppressing transmission, saving lives, accelerating research and political leadership"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"But it’s also a time for all countries to renew their commitment to universal health coverage as the cornerstone of social and economic development – and to building the safer, fairer, greener, more inclusive world we all want"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #HealthForAll

The full remarks on #COVID19 by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/2NIouNm