World Health Organization: Time to prepare for a new normal

After warning Asia and the Pacific to prepare for a long battle against COVID-19, World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Director Dr. Takeshi Kasai said that we have to be ready to live with the new normal.

“As you move forward in these difficult times of our lives, approach to stopping transmission must continue to adapt and evolve along with the epidemic. Unless a vaccine is found, this process will need to become our new normal.”

WHO Western Pacific Reg. Director Dr. Takeshi Kasai

WHO: Lift lockdowns gradually

The WHO regional director said that lifting lockdowns should be done by governments gradually to avoid the resurgence of infections and cause further spread of the virus.

COVID-19 Pandemic: The New Normal

For Governments

Dr. Kasai said that governments should consider the gradual lifting of lockdowns while continuously monitoring the situation locally and worldwide.

As no country is safe from a potential outbreak if the virus continues to circulate, Dr. Kasai encouraged governments to consider the following when deciding whether to lift or extend lockdowns:

• Make data-based decisions and follow public health principles;
• ‘There’s no such thing as you can lift all at once’;
• Individual interventions should be addressed in a risk-based manner

He also said that authorities should prepare for worst-case scenarios and put in place a system that they can use to detect and treat patients in case of large scale community transmission.

For Individuals

Dr. Kasai said that once authorities relax guidelines, people should learn to adapt and make this a part of their lives. Included in possible changes for everyone will be implementing measures to keep the virus in check and enabling economic sectors and society once again.

For the Private Sector

Also, once vital parts of economy are enabled, the private sector may adopt measures for the workforce like work-from-home arrangements in order to help reduce the risk of infection.

Brace ourselves for what comes after COVID-19

Whatever is set to happen in the coming days, weeks, and months, it is important for us to continue being vigilant, listen to updates and strictly follow measures to protect ourselves, our families and the community.

 

SOURCES:

Philippine News Agency
https://www.reuters.com/