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This is a great article.
Everything in this thread is from it.
. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been an outspoken advocate for the Chinese government’s COVID-19 response. https://www.cfr.org/blog/who-and-china-dereliction-duty
Everything in this thread is from it.
. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been an outspoken advocate for the Chinese government’s COVID-19 response. https://www.cfr.org/blog/who-and-china-dereliction-duty
On January 28 hemet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Following the meeting, Tedros commended China for “setting a new standard for outbreak control” and praised the country’s top leadership for its “openness to sharing information” with the WHO.
Yet in Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, Chinese officials were busy arresting and punishing citizens for “spreading rumors” about the disease.
Despite growing evidence of China’s mishandling of the outbreak and rising domestic Chinese outrage over the government’s censorship, Tedros remained unmoved. On February 20 Tedros doubled down on his praise for China stating that “China has bought the world time.”
He called upon nations not to limit travel with China and warned against the “recrimination or politicization” of the outbreak. Domestic Chinese news coverage prominently features Tedros’ praise of Xi Jinping and criticism of foreign governments.
Tedros’ delayed in declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). On January 23, the WHO’s emergency committee was split on whether to declare a PHEIC.
With final authority resting with him, Tedros decided to wait despite admitting that “this is an emergency in China.” A week later, he declared a PHEIC. By that point, confirmed cases of COVID-19 had increased tenfold with 7,781
Since China acceded to UN in 1971, it has periodically blocked Taiwan’s membership. From 2009 to 2016, it allowed Taiwan to join WHO’s decision-making body, World Health Assembly, as observer
After telection of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 China blocked Taiwan’s participation.
After telection of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 China blocked Taiwan’s participation.
Dr. Tedros’ inaction stands in stark contrast to WHO’s actions during the 2003 SARS outbreak. Then WHO DG Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland made history by declaring the WHO’s first travel advisory in 55 years recommending against travel to and from disease epicenter in southern China.
Dr. Brundtland also criticized China for endangering global health by attempting to cover up the outbreak through its usual playbook of arresting whistleblowers and censoring media.Â
Sounds vaguely familiar, doesn't it?
Sounds vaguely familiar, doesn't it?
Follow the money: Since its founding, the WHO has required voluntary budgetary contributions to meet its broad mandate. In recent years, the WHO has grown more reliant upon these funds to address budget deficits.
China’s WHO contributions have grown by 52% since 2014 to approximately $86 million. This is largely due to China’s increase in assessed contributions. However, China has also increased voluntary contributions from $8.7 million in 2014 to approximately $10.2 million in 2019.
While this pales in comparison to the United States’ 2018-19 contribution of $893 million, China’s growing contributions come as its influence across the UN is rising. Going forward, China might be a more reliable partner for organizations dependent on members’ financial support.
China was also an important ally of Tedros in the WHO’s DG election in 2017. Months before the election, Tedros was invited to speak at Peking University where he called for stronger cooperation between China and the Global South on health issues.
China’s support for Tedros paid off immediately. The day after his electoral victory, Tedros confirmed to Chinese state-media that he and the WHO will continue to support the “One China” principle, which recognizes the government in Beijing as the legitimate Chinese government.
Three years later, Tedros’ enduring support of China’s response to COVID-19 shows their early support for him is still paying rich dividends.
Here he is blaming the US:
“Stop pointing fingers” unless you “want more body bags..it’s like playing with fire”
Here he is blaming the US:
“Stop pointing fingers” unless you “want more body bags..it’s like playing with fire”
The WHO has essentially turned into a laundering body for Chinese propaganda masquerading as WHO consensus policy.
To be fair, his predecessor, Dr. Margaret Chan wasn't a whole lot better.
To be fair, his predecessor, Dr. Margaret Chan wasn't a whole lot better.
Margaret Chan once said that North Korea’s health system would be the envy of many developing countries because it had no shortage of medical staff. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-korea-north/north-korea-has-plenty-of-doctors-who-idUSTRE63T3TW20100430
Tedros followed her legacy of rewarding tyrannical despotism.
He personally announced the appointment of ruthless Zimbabwean genocidal maniac Robert Mugabe as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health. Amidst widespread international outcry, Tedros quickly rescinded his decision.
He personally announced the appointment of ruthless Zimbabwean genocidal maniac Robert Mugabe as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health. Amidst widespread international outcry, Tedros quickly rescinded his decision.
When President Trump took a critical step to stop the coronavirus by issuing a travel ban on Jan. 31, Tedros said widespread travel bans “have the effect of increasing fear and stigma, with little public health benefit.” He warned other countries not to follow the U.S. lead.
WHO’s “Q&A on coronaviruses” was discrepant between Chinese & English versions of measures ineffective against COVID19. The English version listed smoking, wearing multiple masks, antibiotics, and traditional Chinese remedies. The 4th item was not included in the Chinese version
