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Re @WHO unable to verify China #COVID data. Key post-SARS reform enabled @WHO to use unofficial data sources (indep scientists/civil society) to improve accountability & transparency. But it didn't work w/ China. How can we empower @WHO to speak truth to power? 1X
IHR arts 9-10 gives @WHO power to use non-state info sources. But now, before taking any action, WHO must verify info w/ govt state party. @WHO must coop w/ govt in assessing info. Only if state refuses coop “may” WHO share info globally. This ties WHO's hands. 2X
If a state wanted to hide #Covid19 info it would stall, like China did, losing valuable time. And WHO not required (“shall”) to share info with other states, much less the public. This is a recipe for no transparency. That is exactly what happened w/ China. 3X
WHA should strengthen IHR arts 9-10 like this: @WHO shd actively seek unofficial data sources, & have power to keep source CONFIDENTIAL WHO shd have on-call experts to indep assess official data. If non-govt info is deemed credible, @WHO should share w/ other states & public 4X
Giving @WHO power to indep investigate official reports could overcome lack of transparency. It would enable WHO to pierce the veil of secrecy in authoritarian or non-open regimes like China. It would be a bold reform coming out of #COVID crisis. 5/5
