Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 and climate change with @DrTedros and @GretaThunberg pscp.tv/w/c0xCbDI2MTAy…

"Last week, new cases of #COVID19 increased for the eighth week in a row, with more than 5.2 million cases reported - the most in a single week so far.

Deaths rose for the fifth straight week, and more than 3 million deaths have now been reported to WHO"-@DrTedros

"It took 9 months to reach 1 million deaths; 4 months to reach 2 million, and 3 months to reach 3 million.

Big numbers can make us numb. But each one of these deaths is a tragedy for families, communities and nations"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1384162368574287883?s=20

"#COVID19 infections and hospitalizations among people aged 25 to 59 are increasing at an alarming rate, possibly as a result of highly transmissible variants and increased social mixing among younger adults"-@DrTedros

"Today the Emergency Committee gave me its advice on vaccines, variants, international travel and other issues. Its full statement is available on our website"-@DrTedros #COVID19 bit.ly/32tiW0I

"We have the tools to bring this pandemic under control in a matter of months, if we apply them consistently and equitably"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"On Friday, WHO issued an expression of interest for establishing a #COVID19 technology transfer hub for mRNA vaccines, to increase production of those vaccines in low- and middle-income countries"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1383068983595765764?s=20

"We are calling for the original manufacturers of mRNA #COVID19 vaccines to contribute their technology and know-how to a central hub, and for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries to express interest in receiving that technology"-@DrTedros

bit.ly/3tuvfWw

"We’ve seen incredible innovation in science; now we need innovation to ensure as many people as possible benefit from that science"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"The #COVID19 pandemic will recede. But we will still be left with all the other challenges that we had before, including the climate crisis"-@DrTedros

"This week marks #EarthDay, 22nd of April – a reminder that human health depends on the health of the planet that sustains us.
#COVID19 has now killed more than 3 million people.
#AirPollution kills more than double that number – 7 million people – every single year"-@DrTedros

"Despite temporary improvements in air quality last year as a result of so-called lockdowns, by September #airpollution had returned to pre-pandemic levels"-@DrTedros

"Globally, CO2 emissions only decreased by less than 6% last year, but by December, they had rebounded to their previous levels"-@DrTedros

"The health argument for #ClimateAction is crystal clear.

The same unsustainable choices that are killing our planet are killing people.

There’s no vaccine for #ClimateChange, but we do have solutions"-@DrTedros

"Last year, WHO published our Manifesto for a healthy and green recovery, calling on all governments to protect nature, support clean energy sources, develop sustainable food systems and healthier cities, and reduce polluting activities"-@DrTedros

"Together, the six prescriptions of the WHO Manifesto can not only restore resilient economies, they are a lynchpin and essential prerequisite for healthy societies"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1266289395453190145?s=20

"At the #COP26 climate conference in Glasgow this year, WHO will deliver a special report with recommendations on how to maximize the health benefits of tackling #ClimateChange, while avoiding the worst health impacts of the climate crisis"-@DrTedros #ClimateAction

"WHO is also spearheading an initiative on promoting climate-resilient health systems, in collaboration with the government of the #UnitedKingdom"-@DrTedros #ClimateAction

"Today it’s my honour to welcome someone who needs no introduction. Over the past few years, @GretaThunberg has become the powerful voice of a younger generation demanding #ClimateAction"-@DrTedros

"@GretaThunberg’s mobilization of communities, particularly young people, has been truly inspirational, and has brought into sharp focus the impact of the climate crisis on people’s lives, and the urgent need for transformative action"-@DrTedros #ClimateAction

"The awareness she has raised on the links between climate, the environment & health has supported WHO’s agenda in these areas, demonstrated the threats all of us face, & the role young people can play in building a more sustainable, safer, healthier 🌍"-@DrTedros #ClimateAction

"More recently, she has become a powerful advocate for #VaccinEquity. Today, Greta has announced a donation of €100000 from the @GretaThunberg Foundation, to @thewhof in support of #COVAX to provide vaccines to people in need"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1384159104235577349?s=20

" @GretaThunberg, thank you for your superb advocacy for #ClimateAction and now for #VaccinEquity"-@DrTedros

"Around the 🌍, young people have been affected by the #COVID19 pandemic in many ways, from disruptions in education, loss of employment opportunities, mental health challenges and increased domestic and gender-based violence"-@DrTedros

"WHO is committed to ensuring that the global recovery from #COVID19 includes the voices, energy and ideas of young people"-@DrTedros bit.ly/3n0cdVp #YouthMobilize

"To do that, we have partnered with an alliance of the six largest youth development organisations in the world to form the Global Youth Mobilization, to empower young people to respond to the challenges created by the pandemic in their local communities"-@DrTedros #YouthMobilize

"The Global Youth Mobilization has established a grant mechanism with funds from the Solidarity Response Fund, to support innovative local solutions to address the impact of the #COVID19 pandemic"-@DrTedros bit.ly/3n0cdVp #YouthMobilize

"From today, young people around the world will be able to apply for grants of between $500 and $5000, through the Global Youth Mobilization. These local solutions will be judged and decided on by young people, for young people"-@DrTedros bit.ly/3n0cdVp #YouthMobilize

"To mark the starting point for young people to get involved in the Global Youth Mobilization, a Global Youth Summit will be held virtually from this Friday to Sunday, the 23rd to the 25th of April"-@DrTedros #YouthMobilize

"Over three days, thousands of young people, leaders, policy makers and changemakers will come together in one space to discuss the issues facing young people across the world"-@DrTedros #YouthMobilize

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1384169337364258819?s=20

"On behalf of the “Big Six” youth organizations, the @unfoundation and WHO, I invite everyone to join us at the Global Youth Summit: globalyouthmobilization.org"-@DrTedros #YouthMobilize

"I look forward to seeing what ideas we can help take forward through the Global Youth Mobilization.
This is a reminder that although we are all living through a dark time, there are also many reasons for hope & optimism about the future"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1384169736871632899?s=20

The full remarks by @DrTedros at the #COVID19 and #ClimateChange media briefing - 19 April 2021 👇 bit.ly/3eeiZDc