Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/chvB6jI2MTAy…

"Eight months into the #COVID19 pandemic, we understand that people are tired and yearn to get on with their lives. We understand that countries want to get their societies and economies going again. "-@DrTedros

"That’s what WHO wants too. Stay-at-home orders & other restrictions are something that some countries felt they needed to do to take pressure off their health systems. But they have taken a heavy toll on livelihoods, economies & mental health."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"WHO fully supports efforts to re-open economies and societies. We want to see children returning to school and people returning to the workplace – but we want to see it done safely."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"At the same time, no country can just pretend the #COVID19 pandemic is over.
The reality is that this coronavirus spreads easily, it can be fatal to people of all ages & most people remain susceptible."-@DrTedros

"If countries are serious about opening up, they must be serious abt suppressing transmission & saving lives.
This may seem like an impossible balance, but it’s not. It can be done & it has been done. But it can only be done if countries are in control of transmission."@DrTedros

"The more control countries have over the virus, the more they can open up.
Opening up without having control is a recipe for disaster.
It’s not one size fits all, it’s not all or nothing."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We believe there are 🔢 essential things that all countries, communities and individuals must focus on to take control."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"1⃣, prevent amplifying events. #COVID19 spreads very efficiently among clusters of people.
In many countries, we have seen explosive outbreaks linked to gatherings of people at stadiums, nightclubs, places of worship and in other crowds."-@DrTedros

"Preventing these amplifying events is essential, but there are ways to hold gatherings safely in some places.
Decisions about how and when to allow gatherings of people must be taken with a risk-based approach, in the local context."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300462506503176197?s=20

"Countries or communities experiencing significant community transmission may need to postpone events for a short time to reduce transmission."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300462753681940480?s=20

"On the other hand, countries or communities with sporadic cases or small #COVID19 clusters can find creative ways to hold events while minimizing risk."-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300462753681940480?s=20

"2⃣, reduce deaths by protecting vulnerable groups, incl. older people, those with underlying conditions and essential workers.
Countries that do this well may be able to cope with low levels of transmission as they open up."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300462300533587968?s=20

"By protecting those who are most at risk, countries can save lives, prevent people becoming severely ill, and take the pressure off their health systems."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300464201073385477?s=20

"3⃣, individuals must play their part by taking the measures we know work to protect themselves & others:
⬅️🧍‍♀️➡️ stay at least one metre away from others
🖐️ clean your hands regularly
💪 practise respiratory etiquette
😷 #WearAMask"
-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300462300533587968?s=20

"Avoid the “three Cs”: closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300465382537474049?s=20

"4⃣, governments must take tailored actions to find, isolate, test and care for cases & trace and quarantine contacts. Widespread stay-at-home orders can be avoided if countries take temporary and geographically-targeted interventions."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300462300533587968?s=20

"To support countries in their efforts to open up, WHO has a range of evidence-based guidance, which can be applied in different transmission scenarios.
Recently we have published guidance for hotels & other accommodation, guidance for cargo ships & fishing vessels."-@DrTedros

"This is all part of our commitment to supporting every sector to reopen as safely as possible."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300467425742290950?s=20

"Meanwhile, we are continuing to work with our partners through the ACT Accelerator and the COVAX Facility to ensure that once a vaccine is available, it is available equitably to all countries."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"I would like to think the @EU_Commission for its announcement today that it is joining the COVAX Facility, and for its contribution of EUR400 million.
As President @vonderleyen said, global collaboration is the only way to overcome a global #COVID19 pandemic."-@DrTedros

"Of course, it’s not just schools and businesses that have been affected by #COVID19.
In all countries, health systems have been put under extreme pressure & the true impact of the pandemic in terms of increased sickness & death from other diseases remains to be seen."-@DrTedros

"A WHO survey published today from 105 countries shows that 90% of countries have experienced disruption to their health services. Low- and middle-income countries have been most affected."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"The survey shows that up to 70% of services have been disrupted for essential services incl. routine immunization, diagnosis & treatment for non-communicable diseases, family planning & contraception, treatment for mental health disorders & cancer diagnosis & treatment"@DrTedros

"Many countries have started to implement some of WHO’s recommended strategies to mitigate service disruptions, such as triaging patients to identify priorities, shifting to on-line patient consultations, and changes to prescribing practices."-@DrTedros #COVID19

"However, only 14% of countries reported removing user fees, which WHO recommends to offset potential financial difficulties for patients."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300469611088039937?s=20

"WHO will continue to work with countries to provide tools to maintain essential services.
For example, WHO is developing a “Health Services Learning Hub”, a web-based platform that will allow countries to share experiences and learn from each other."-@DrTedros

"Finally, I would like to mention WHO’s ongoing work responding to another emergency – the aftermath of the #BeirutBlast."-@DrTedros

"Although #Beirut is no longer in the headlines, WHO is continuing to support #Lebanon in the wake of the blast 4 weeks ago, which left more than 6,500 people injured, 300 thousand people homeless & severely damaged critical health infrastructure & medical supplies."-@DrTedros

"WHO and our partners are providing care for the injured, making sure everyone has access to basic and life-saving health services, providing mental health support for health workers and communities and rebuilding destroyed hospitals."-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300471038841626624?s=20

"At the same time, we are responding to #COVID19 by expanding testing and treatment, buying urgently needed medicines, and protecting health care workers."
-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300471038841626624?s=20

"To sustain this lifesaving work, WHO has launched an appeal for at least USD76 million.
We thank all donors who have already committed funds."-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300471038841626624?s=20

"To support this appeal, the WHO Foundation has today launched a campaign to which any individual or organization can contribute.

To give, go to whofoundationproject.org, and click on “Donations”."-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300472001837096961?s=20

"In closing, I would like to repeat the 🔢 critical things that countries, communities and individuals must focus on to control #COVID19 transmission so they can open their societies and economies safely."-@DrTedros

"1⃣, prevent amplifying events.

2⃣, reduce deaths by protecting vulnerable groups.

3⃣, take the individual steps to protect yourself and others.

4⃣, find, isolate test and care cases, and trace and quarantine contacts."-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1300472855042363393?s=20

"And above all, national unity and global solidarity are essential.
This virus thrives when we’re divided. When we’re united, we can defeat it."-@DrTedros #COVID19

Full remark of @DrTedros' opening remarks at the media briefing on #COVID19 - 31 August 2020 bit.ly/32EIWG5