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The number of cases worldwide has soared past 32 million, and deaths are approaching a million.
Medical workers greet patients in a special coronavirus intake area at the Maimonides Medical Center on April 7, 2020 in the Borough Park neighborhood of the Brooklyn district of New York City. Image: AFP
GENEVA – Coronavirus deaths could double to two million without collective action against the pandemic, the World Health Organization warned, as Australia’s prime minister urged any nation that develops a vaccine to share it with the world.
The number of cases worldwide has skyrocketed past 32 million, with deaths approaching a million, the world economy devastated, and major sporting and cultural events disrupted.
But despite the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, made a defiant note on Friday, saying his country was determined to hold the Tokyo Olympics postponed in 2021.
“One million is a terrible number and we need to think about that before we start considering a second million,” WHO emergency director Michael Ryan told reporters when asked how high the death toll could go. .
“Are we collectively prepared to do whatever it takes to avoid that number?
“If we don’t take those steps … yes, we will be seeing that number and sadly much higher.”
The pandemic has spurred global efforts to develop a vaccine to help defeat COVID-19, as well as efforts to try to ensure a fair and widespread distribution.
“Whoever finds the vaccine must share it … This is a global responsibility and it is a moral responsibility,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a message to the virtual UN General Assembly on Friday.
“Some may see short-term advantages or even gains, but I assure you … humanity will have a very long memory and will be a very, very harsh judge.”
VOTE IN THE JAPAN OLYMPIC GAMES
Without an effective vaccine or treatment, social distancing and lockdowns remain some of the few options governments have to curb the spread of the virus, making large gatherings such as spectator sports and music concerts , are very risky.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed for a year, were the biggest casualty of its kind, with Japan’s new leader vowing to hold them in 2021.
“In the summer of next year, Japan is determined to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told the United Nations General Assembly in a message of video.
But with the continuing spikes around the world, there is concern whether the event will be possible even next year if the pandemic is not under control.
In one more illustration of the impact of the virus, authorities in Brazil, which has the second highest death toll in the world, indefinitely postponed the carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
And only 1,000 fans are allowed a day at the French Open, and the organizers of one of the world’s biggest tennis events say it means “millions of euros in the smoke.”
‘TODAY I HAVE ZERO EUROS’
The WHO warning came as the United States, the world’s worst-affected nation, surpassed seven million cases, more than a fifth of the world’s total despite representing only four percent of the world’s population.
Meanwhile, many European nations are struggling with new waves of infections.
Spain extended the blockade in the capital, Madrid and its surroundings, to cover one million people as of Monday.
In Britain, authorities announced restrictions that now extend to a quarter of the population, while two supermarket chains said they were rationing purchases of certain products to suppress panic buying.
Moscow, meanwhile, ordered vulnerable residents of the Russian capital to avoid infection by staying at home, while Israel tightened its blockade by preventing people from taking flights out of the country.
France reported record numbers: daily cases exceeded 16,000 for the first time on Thursday. But authorities’ measures to contain the virus are not popular with many due to their painful financial cost.
Marseille restaurant and bar owners gathered in front of the city’s commercial court to demonstrate against forced closures starting Sunday evening.
“Today I get zero euros, zero euros,” said Sam, a nightclub manager.
“I have (to pay) the rent because I am not lucky enough to be a landlord.”
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