WHO Director-General Encourages Global Collaboration to ‘Flatten the Curve’ 

April 07, 2020 by Alec Stone MA, MPA, Former ONS Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy

As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to circle the globe, nations look to a strong source that can help coordinate information and provide insight for all people. Under the leadership of the director-general, the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019) (WHO) has been that trustworthy entity. Tracking, reporting, and coordinating COVID-19’s many aspects, WHO is a hub that allows public health officials worldwide to receive information in real time.   

“To slow the spread of COVID-19, many countries have introduced unprecedented measures, at significant social and economic cost—closing schools and businesses, cancelling sporting events, and asking people to stay home and stay safe," Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, MSc, said in a March 25, 2020, media briefing (https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---25-march-2020)

Recommendation 

WHO established crucial factors that help countries coordinate and move forward. The organization urged world leaders to implement programs with six key recommended actions: 

Taking an aggressive approach will help stop the spread and flatten the pandemic’s curve. Outlining the vulnerable countries and those populations most at risk, the director-general called on every country to employ plans to curtail future outbreaks.   

"The COVID-19 pandemic (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019) has highlighted the need for compelling and creative communications about public health,” Ghebreyesus (https://www.who.int/antimicrobial-resistance/interagency-coordination-group/dg_who_bio/en/) said.   


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