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Trump’s attacks on WHO have credibility
Trump withdrew U.S. funding to the WHO as he labelled them “very China-centric” and since his attacks, opinions have been split as to who is to blame. Many have been unimpressed with the manner Trump’s administration has handled the virus. That said, you don’t have to agree with Trump to acknowledge some of the WHO’s clear failings. The world would only benefit from stronger performances from the world’s health body in place of accepting its failings.
One of the seminal reasons for the WHO’s existence is to report early warnings on any new potential viruses. China has been a clear and obvious risk for some time now, as their industrial transformation has meant huge growth in metropolitan areas where live animals are sold to feed their growing workforce. In Guangdong alone over a billion chickens are raised each year. Factor in other exotic animals kept in close proximity to these livestock (in not always the most humane or hygienic places), and you have an increased chance of lethal diseases forming.
China often suppresses distressing disclosures as can be seen with the Sars epidemic. Hence it would make sense that the WHO would be sceptical of any “official” information coming from China. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general, and his team have failed to do so. The more we understand the virus, the more we realise there was a very small window of…
