This week the world reached the milestone of four million people dying from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). From last December vaccines were authorised for emergency use by countries and the World Health Organisation (WHO). With several vaccines and many being vaccinated there is the tendency to think the pandemic is waning and people are beginning to drop their guard, i.e, neglect the guidelines to avoid contracting the virus. Such complacency presents challenge to resurgence of the virus, even as more deadly variants, such as the Delta variant, spread.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a press conference earlier this week noted that the world is at a perilous point. He said though we have just passed the tragic milestone of 4 million recorded deaths, which likely underestimates the overall toll, it did not have to be this way and it does not have to be this way going forward.
Dr. Mike Ryan. Executive Director, also warned about the increase in transmission with early opening of the society and ignoring the guidelines. In his word it is not “kumbaya” as yet because everyone is not protected, and it is dangerous to assume so. He warned the virus is still evolving and there needs to be extreme caution in the lifting of public health and social measures at this time.
Take a listen to their clear-eyed advice.
