Today, Explained Blame WHO?
May 21, 2020
Joining the discussion is Alex Ward, a Vox journalist specializing in the World Health Organization and its pandemic response. Alex dives into the controversies surrounding WHO's handling of COVID-19, particularly the blame directed at both the organization and China. The conversation highlights the political tensions between the U.S. under Trump and the WHO, exploring the implications of funding cuts and delayed actions. They also discuss the evolution of WHO since its inception and potential reforms to enhance global health governance amid crises.
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Early Praise, Later Blame
- Initially, Trump praised China and the WHO's handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
- Later, he shifted to blaming them as his own response faltered.
Delayed Response
- The WHO hesitated to declare a global emergency and initially downplayed the virus's human-to-human transmission.
- Trump administration argues this delayed the global response.
Trump's Credibility
- While Trump often deflects blame, his criticism of the WHO's early response has some validity.
- The WHO's missteps, partly due to concerns about angering China, are undeniable.