Coronavirus: Trump says WHO sided with China amid backlash
United States President Donald Trump has said that the World Health Organization (WHO) "very much" sided with China on coronavirus. The US President said the global health body has been "very unfair" and has left a lot of people feeling unhappy. WHO has been facing backlash for appreciating China's efforts to tackle the outbreak, even as the country gets blamed for delayed action.
'WHO very much sided with China; people aren't happy'
When asked about Republican Senator Marco Rubio's statement that WHO displayed "favoritism" towards China, Trump said, "It (WHO) has been very very much sided with China. A lot of people are not happy about it." Trump was addressing reporters at a White House news conference on Wednesday. He added, "I think there is certainly a lot of talk that it's been very unfair."
WHO acted as China's mouthpiece during outbreak: US Congressperson
Besides Senator Rubio, Congressperson Michael McCaul also questioned the integrity of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. McCaul, the ranking member on the House Foreign Relations Committee, said that "there were several red flags in his past with respect to his relationship with China." Taking to Twitter, Congressperson Greg Steube also said that WHO has acted as China's mouthpiece during the outbreak.
Members of Congress demand that WHO, China face consequences
Congressperson Steube and Senator Josh Hawley both demanded that WHO and China face consequences for their actions. Steube said, "There need to be consequences here. WHO has sided with China Communist Party against the world in this pandemic."
WHO chief Tedros had praised China's 'seriousness and transparency'
Tedros had praised China's leadership for its "determination to end the new coronavirus outbreak." When he visited China in January, Tedros praised the nation's "seriousness" and "transparency" in tackling the outbreak. The statements came even as China faced allegations of silencing news reports and even denied the outbreak initially. Tedros has been accused of aiding the Chinese "propaganda."
Coronavirus spread from China; infected 4.7 lakh worldwide
COVID-19 was first reported in China's Wuhan city in December 2019. The disease is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus attacks a host's respiratory system triggering symptoms such as fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death. COVID-19 has spread to roughly 170 countries, killing over 21,000 and sickening 4.7 lakh.
