The World Health Organization began its 73rd annual oversight convention on Monday, as member countries met virtually during a global pandemic that has brought many countries to their knees.
The global agency responded to the calls from most of its member stated to launch an independent probe into the W.H.O.'s international response to the coronavirus. A "comprehensive evaluation" is being sought by a coalition of member states for the intension to review "lessons learned" from the W.H.O.'s coordinations of the global response to COVID-19, but would not look into contentious issues like the origin of the virus, according to the Associated Press. That evaluation will be voted on by member countries on Tuesday.
In addition, an 11-page report commissioned by an oversight advisory board published on Monday had raised questions as to whether the W.H.O's warning system for alerting the world of viral outbreaks is adequate.
Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that he would launch an independent probe into the agency's early response to the pandemic "at the earliest appropriate moment."
"This contagion exposes the fault lines, inequalities, injustices and contradictions of our modern world and geopolitical division have been thrown into sharp relief," Tedros told member states.
China, the country where the novel coronavirus originated late last year, will support a review of the global response to COVID-19 led by the W.H.O. once the virus is under control, President Xi Jinping stated to the national assembly. In addition, the country pledged to donate $2 billion over the next two years to support other countries' responses to the pandemic.
"China supports the idea of a comprehensive review of the global response to COVID-19 after it is brought under control, to sum up or experience and address deficiencies," Xi stated. "This work should be led by science and professionalism, led by the W.H.O. and conducted in an objective and impartial manner."
United States President Donald Trump doubled-down on his criticism of the W.H.O.'s early response, telling member countries: "They gave us a lot of bad advice, terrible advice. They were so wrong so much, always on the side of China."
Total Global Cases: Over 4.89 Million
Total Deaths: Over 320,000
Total Recovered: Over 1.9 Million
Promising Early Results
Moderna Inc.
Each participant in the story received a 25, 100 or 250 microgram does, with 15 volunteers per dose group. Every participant received two doses approximately 28 days apart.
At day 43, Moderna noted that levels of antibodies in the 25 microgram group was at the same general levels seen in blood samples from patents who have recovered from COVID-19. For the 100 microgram group, participant antibody levels has "significantly exceeded levels" in recovered patients.
"These interim Phase 1 data, while early, demonstrate that vaccination with mRNA-1273 elicits an immune response of the magnitude caused by natural infection...mRNA-1273 has the potential to prevent COVID-19 disease," Moderna's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tal Zaks stated in a press release.
Auto Restart
Major automakers in Detroit, Michigan started production on Monday after Governor Gretchen Whitmer allowed the companies to reopen as long as they follow public health protocols. This was the first time General Motors
The reopening will bring more than 130,000 autoworkers back to work, as the big three begin to test whether or not factory-settings can restart amid the pandemic without causing an outbreak. All three companies have implemented safety protocols for workers returning to work.
