Thread by @LawrenceGostin

Did @WHO wait too late to declare a PHEIC as so many have claimed? Clearly not. In this thread, I provide a timeline that shows @DrTedros acted promptly. It's impossible to conclude that an earlier declaration would have changed the pandemic's trajectory in any way.

When @Tedros convened the Emergency Committee on 20 Jan, 282 cases were confirmed, of which 278 were in China. Many called for a PHEIC, but the delay of a few days was immaterial.

jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/…

The Emerg Cte met on 22-23 Jan & was split: “the extent of human-to-human transmission is still not clear” This lack of clarity was concerning. The EC sought clarification. It's astounding China had not given full info to ER. Community spread was ongoing. And China knew it!

By the time @DrTedros reconvened the Emerg Cte on 30 Jan, there was clear evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. At the time the PHEIC was declared, outside China there were 98 reported cases & no deaths. Clearly, @WHO acted promptly but there are key lessons to learn

What have we learned from the PHEIC process?

* China did not report fully & transparently
* China did not fully cooperate w/ @WHO
* China should have invited WHO experts to Wuhan
* @WHO should have the power to indep verify state reports

* As he stated repeatedly, @DrTedros should have power under the IHR to declare intermediate stages of emergency
* @WHO needs sustainable funding to fulfill its mandate
* Major powers must back @WHO politically to ensure full cooperation, especially from inward-looking govts