COVID-19 also known as 2019-nCov or 2019 Novel Coronavirus
by Jean-Paul Bizoza
Special officer on Humanitraina Affairs
Unted Nations Association of New Zealand
On the 31st December 2019, Chinese officials in Wuhan reported a virus, which causes a respiratory illness (like the flu). The virus was identified as COVID-19 also known as 2019-nCov or 2019 Novel Coronavirus. COVID-19, which was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) is one of coronaviruses, which causes breathing infection just as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (EMC/2012) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS coronavirus, SARS-CoV). WHO reports that COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. Its most common symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, tiredness and dry cough. Likewise, early data suggests that COVID-19 causes more harm to older and disabled people. Since the outbreak, Europe particularly Italy has been an epicenter of the pandemic with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China.
However, questions have been raised as how developing countries around the world especially in Africa will cope with the pandemic -given that the primary cause of death in some nations remains communicable – infectious – diseases, which can be prevented. In the light of this concerns, WHO has been working with developing countries to increase the capacity of national laboratories to detect COVID-19 by supplying reagents, essential personal protective equipment, testing equipment and training for staff.
WHO has also initiated a robust action, which consists of 8 pillars from WHO’s Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan. The pillars are indicated in various phases, and they include education about COVID-19, early detection, trace contact, quarantine and appropriate care for affected for the virus. Furthermore, WHO recommends individuals to adhere to hygienic measures including (a) clean hands regularly with an alcohol-based rub or soap and water, (b) cover one’s mouth and nose with elbow when coughing or sneezing, (c) stay home when one is unwell (d) avoid unnecessary travel/ large social gatherings and finally (e) comply with advice from local or national health authority. It’s noted that countries have taken various approach in terms of levels, emergency response a and the fight against the virus.
Where do the World Health Organization and United Nations stand on COVID-19?
The World Health Organization, which leads global health responses within the United Nations, reports that COVID-19 is an alarming pandemic as the number of confirmed cases worldwide are more 10 times higher than people who were infected by MERS and SARS. Not only Covid-19 is transmitted more rapidly between humans than SARS, it has high mortality, with 3.5% of all cases reported (WHO reports). i.e. COVID-19 mortality figure is higher than previous estimates and far above the seasonal flu's fatality rate, which stands at less than 1 percent.
Since the pandemic announcement, COVID-19 has captured the world’s media attention. As a part strategic response, the World Health Organization (WHO) along with United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, launched the COVID-19 Solidarity Response, with the intention to raise funds that will be used to coordinate the emergency response and cover cost related to sources particularly masks, gloves, gowns and goggles for health workers and diagnostic tests. In addition, the WHO aims to improve surveillance and invest in research. Furthermore, it has tirelessly mobilized members states to ensure their preparedness phase and emergency response based on local context and risk assessment of each nation.
While some efforts have been initiated, the WHO Director-General recognizes no country can thrive or solve all its challenges in isolation. This was echoed by the Chinese president who stated that “mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges.” Therefore, COVI-19 can no longer be resolved by any individual country. This reinforced the United Nations core mission that urges governments not only to collaborate, but to also share tips and resources to contain the disease. So far, the WHO has already initiated a number of projects that could help to overcome the pandemic.
What are the most challenges on the COVID-19 fight
Since COVID-19 Pandemic cases in China, in December 2019, there have been a number of reports related to racism and Xenophobia against Chinese people, South/East Asian descent and appearance around the world. As the result of this, WHO reinforced its message of solidarity and advised all countries to consider to “strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption, and respecting human rights”. Likewise, Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General also has noted “the greatest enemy right now is not the virus itself. It’s fear, rumors and stigma. He reiterates that the greatest assets are still facts, reason and solidarity”.
Similarly, World Health Organization's Emergency Committee issued a statement on 30 January 2020, advising all countries to be mindful of the "principles of Article 3 of the IHR (the International Health Regulations)," which gives a caution against "actions that promote stigma or discrimination," when conducting national response measures to the outbreak.
One of the United Nations missions is to improve the lives of poor people, humanitarian /emergency response on disease and promote cooperation among nations. That has to be a starting point for the fight against novel coronavirus 19 pandemic. It is also crucial to reflect on the World Health Organization Director-General’s call “no country can thrive or solve all its challenges in isolation”. In the light on that, we must agree that mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges.
As accentuated above, Nations must work together as COVID-19 can no longer be resolved by any individual country. E.g. Singapore, Taiwan or Hong Kong and all nations who managed to revert the tide learnt and shared strategic plans. Again, this reinforces the United Nations fundamental mission “collaboration”.
New Zealand has decided to go alone first and hard on COVID-19. How does your government plan to fight the virus ? Think what would happen if your countries adheres to myth-busters , https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Move Nuclear weapon money’ campaign.
After spending a decade in Humanitarian Affairs, I’ve officially endorsed ‘Move Nuclear weapon money’ campaign.
New Zealand is proud to be a Nuclear Free Peacemaker nation but we must continue working for a Nuclear Free World.
The struggle to abolish nuclear weapons connects deeply with struggles to end wars and militarism. We must stand for an increase peace, economic, social, environmental and racial justice for everyone around the world.
It is immoral and irresponsible that a trillion dollars will be spent to modernize the nuclear arsenals of nine countries over the next 10 years.
1.Nuclear weapon money could instead be used to help address the coronavirus pandemic, promote respect for international humanitarian law, stand up for our common humanity and reduce humanitarian suffering.
2. The trillion dollars could be utilized to end poverty, protect the climate, build global peace and achieve the sustainable development.
In the light of this, I endorse the humanitarian pledge for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons, which continues to threaten humanity. It’s high time we moved the nuclear weapons money to global humanitarian affairs
Jean-Paul Bizoza
Special Officer on Humanitarian Affairs
Paediatric Allied Health Professional
United Nations Association of New Zealand