The World Health Organization Director General, Mr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, gave a speech the day before yesterday. Here is a part of his opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19. Read it carefully – I hope it would let you take better choices and make better decisions.
“The pandemic has disrupted the lives of billions of people. Many have been at home for months.
It’s completely understandable that people want to get on with their lives.
But we will not be going back to the “old normal”. The pandemic has already changed the way we live our lives. Part of adjusting to the “new normal” is finding ways to live our lives safely.
It can be done, but how to do it will depend on where you live and your circumstances.
It’s all about making good choices.
We’re asking everyone to treat the decisions about where they go, what they do and who they meet with as life-and-death decisions – because they are.
It may not be your life, but your choices could be the difference between life and death for someone you love, or for a complete stranger.
In recent weeks we have seen outbreaks associated with nightclubs and other social gatherings, even in places where transmission had been suppressed.
We must remember that most people are still susceptible to this virus. As long as it’s circulating, everyone is at risk.
Just because cases might be at a low level where you live, that doesn’t make it safe to let down your guard.
Don’t expect someone else to keep you safe. We all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and one another.
First, know your situation. Do you know how many cases were reported where you live yesterday? Do you know where to find that information?
Second, do you know how to minimize your exposure? Are you being careful to keep at least 1 meter from others? Are you still cleaning your hands regularly? Are you following the advice of your local authorities?
No matter where you live or how old you are, you can be a leader in your community, not just to defeat the pandemic, but to build back better.
In recent years we’ve seen young people leading grassroots movements for climate change and racial equality.
Now we need young people to start a global movement for health – for a world in which health is a human right, not a privilege”.