Mr. Guterres: Our world can cope with COVID-19 in one way: by joining forces
Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has declared that our world can cope with this virus in one way only: by acting together. According to the UN press service, the UN Secretary-General addressed the UN member states making a video message. Here are the principal points:
Our world has reached a tragic milestone: the COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed two million lives. Behind this truly staggering number, there are names and faces: a smile that has become only a memory; a forever empty chair at the dinner table; a room that echoes the silence of a loved one. Unfortunately, the deadly effects of the pandemic are compounded by a lack of global coordinated efforts.
In honor of those two million lives lost, the world must act with much greater solidarity. It’s time to act.
Vaccination with safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is beginning, and the United Nations is supporting countries in organizing the largest global immunization campaign in history.
We strive to ensure the vaccine to be considered as a global public weal – the “people’s vaccine”.
This requires full funding for the Initiatives to Accelerate Access to COVID-19 Tools and its related COVAX mechanism, which are designed to make vaccines affordable and accessible to all.
A special responsibility rests with the world’s leading economies. Today, however, we are observing a vaccine-related vacuum. High-income countries are rapidly gaining access to vaccines, while in the world’s poorest countries they are completely non-available. Science succeeds, but solidarity fails.
Some countries make behind-the-scenes deals, even making an extra supply of vaccines. Governments take the consequences to protect their populations, but “vaccine nationalism” is untenable and will slow down the process of global recovery.
COVID-19 cannot be defeated if we act separately in each country. We need manufacturers to strengthen their commitment to work with the COVAX mechanism and countries around the world to ensure adequate supply and fair distribution.
This will help to urgently vaccinate all health workers around the world and protect health systems from collapse.
Other frontline persons, including humanitarian workers and high-risk populations, should be targeted as a matter of priority. To gain public trust, we must increase confidence in and awareness of vaccines through effective evidence-based communication methods.
As science continues to break the ground of hope, let’s also remember the simple and proven steps we can all take to keep each other safe: wear masks, maintain physical distance, and avoid crowds.
Our world can only cope with this virus in one way: by acting together. Global solidarity will save lives, protect them and help defeat this dangerous virus.
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