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THREAD: Much attention has rightfully focused on the domestic response to the coronavirus, but we can’t forget this is a global pandemic that requires a global response. None of us are safe until all of us are safe. Here’s the playbook for defeating this virus globally. 1/15
Step 1: We must protect the vulnerable, support essential workers, and make treatment & a vaccine available to all. That starts with building a strong supply chain for PPE both at home and abroad. No doctor or nurse should fear going to work because they can't get a mask. 2/15
We can’t defeat the coronavirus unless we find a vaccine that can be distributed equitably. This won’t happen overnight. At a minimum it’ll take 18 months, but the world should immediately invest US $8 billion for treatment and R&D for a vaccine. 3/15
While we race to develop a vaccine, we’d be wise to heed @BillGates' words and & immediately begin building the facilities that will produce these vaccines. I applaud the @gatesfoundation as we prepare to scale quickly to produce billions of doses, fast. 4/15
What’s the only thing worse than a pandemic? Two pandemics. To help prevent this from happening, the world must support proven orgs like @gavi, which needs US $7.4B to ensure routine immunization is not interrupted in the world’s most vulnerable countries. 5/15
In moments of domestic crisis, there's a temptation to look inward. However, governments must resist protectionist measures in export bans and reduce tariffs and trade barriers to ensure the global flow of goods, particularly for food and vital medical supplies. 6/15
Step 2: We must support the people worst hit economically.
@g20org finance ministers will soon announce a financial package for Africa. They should commit $100B for Africa, which, among other things, would fund the health response, combat food insecurity & protect jobs. 7/15
@g20org finance ministers will soon announce a financial package for Africa. They should commit $100B for Africa, which, among other things, would fund the health response, combat food insecurity & protect jobs. 7/15
More than a third of African countries are at risk of debt distress while the external debts of sub-Saharan African countries only continue to skyrocket. Creditors must provide immediate debt relief for the poorest countries. 8/15
Emerging economies & developing countries will be impacted extra hard from COVID-19. Tourism has been hit hard; commodity prices are falling and; foreign investment is fleeting. The @G20 must implement emergency measures to protect 30M jobs that are at risk across Africa. 9/15
Step 3: We can’t wait for the next crisis to invest in global health security and preparedness. We must strengthen our global health systems now so we’re ready when — not if — this happens again. 10/15
In ‘05, 196 countries signed on to the International Health Regulations (IHRs) -- a set of post-SARS goals that were designed to ensure countries are prepared to detect, assess, report and respond to public health events. Today, no country is fully compliant w/ the IHRs. 11/15
In addition to ensuring full compliance with the IHRs, we must close the gap in preparedness financing for low- and lower-middle income countries which is estimated to be $4.5 billion per year. Again, none of us is safe unless all of us are safe. 12/15
. @ONECampaign has put out a new policy paper that details many of these points and further explains why the world needs a global pandemic response plan now. Read more: https://www.one.org/international/policy/why-the-world-needs-a-pandemic-response-plan/
As we face the biggest global threat of our lifetimes, we should stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable. Want to do something to help combat the coronavirus? Join us: https://www.one.org/us/take-action/oneworld/?utm_source=twitter&source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=GlobalTwitter&utm_campaign=covid19
A lesson from the 2014 Ebola outbreak: If the virus is moving faster than we are, it’s winning. Right now COVID-19 is winning. But if we combine science, leadership & global community participation, this is a race we can win. We can’t stop till we get over the finish line. 15/15
