The WHO recommendations surprise scientists: why lag behind the latest research?

For example, a WHO official said Monday that the coronavirus was transmitted “very rarely” by asymptomatic people.

But investigators resisted, and the next day the organization withdrew from such a statement: that there was a misunderstanding. However, this is not the first time that the WHO’s ideas have kept pace with the scientists’ findings.

The WHO had not even blessed the recommendation to wear masks until last Friday, until now it has been stubbornly claimed that there is a lack of evidence that masks reduce the risk of infection.

And it doesn’t seem to matter at all that almost all scientists in the vast majority of countries have recommended wearing masks for months, at least in public places where there are usually a lot of people.

The WHO has also repeatedly stated that small drops, aerosols, are not a major factor in the journey of a pandemic for humanity, although there is now increasing evidence that this is important.

Late with the guidelines?

“At least the WHO is lagging behind the world in this regard,” said Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota.

Importantly, governments base their coronavirus strategies on scientific advice, and if they are different, there is a risk of confusion. After all, many countries have “locked themselves in” because they realized that isolating sick people on their own would not be enough.

There were resounding findings that researchers soon had to retrieve, even though part of the world only saw the first headlines.

And if the virus is spread in tiny droplets, people should continue to avoid poorly ventilated confined spaces – just wash your hands well and don’t touch your face enough.

Yes, the WHO has traditionally been quite cautious in its evaluation of new scientific data. But research in this exceptional year is being carried out differently than before: scientists are now in a hurry to publish preliminary data before other experts have reviewed it.

Such an urgency can be fruitful; for example, a vaccine can be developed in record time.

Admittedly, there is a bit of chaos, let’s say there were strong conclusions that researchers soon had to regain, even though part of the world only saw the first headlines.

Angry Scientists

“On the one hand, I don’t want to strongly condemn WHO, because it is difficult to work effectively during a pandemic.” But at the same time, it must be recognized that we expect the best data and scientific evidence from WHO, “said Dr. Harvard, director of the World Health Institute. Ashishas Jha.

WHO’s approach to asymptomatic transmission of the virus does not appear to have changed much since February, when the organization’s mission in China reported: “The proportion of asymptomatic infections is unclear, but they appear to be rare.”

But subsequent studies showed that in this way, the infection can be transmitted by up to 40 percent. cases. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. USA They currently publish about 35 percent. Such data has prompted many countries to recommend that everyone wear masks.

WHO’s approach to transmission of the asymptomatic virus does not appear to have changed much since February.

It is true, on Monday, dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO spokeswoman, said: “It is still rare for an asymptomatic person to transmit the infection to another person.”

Such words have angered many scientists, who have asked one after another to recall studies that showed that many people transmit the virus even before experiencing any symptoms.

The following day, the WHO had to clarify its position. Van Kerkhove admitted that his comment was based on only two or three studies.

“I just answered the question. I did not say the position of the WHO, “said the expert, adding that it was also based on unpublished data shared by the parties with the WHO.

A ploy for aerosols

However, critics stress that WHO should make its sources public, which is important. Among those accusers is even Lawrence Gostin, who works for the WHO itself: “When the WHO reports things that are clearly in conflict with the scientists’ data, the organization’s reputation is affected.”

On the other hand, a lot of confusion arises from the fact that there is a difference between people who don’t feel symptoms, but feel them, and people who are really asymptomatic and never feel bad. Van Kerkhove says he has spoken of completely asymptomatic people.

A widely cited study, published in April, found that people generally infect another two days before symptoms appear. Plus, that 44 percent. People who still do not show symptoms of the disease transmit new infections.

The WHO calls these people “pre-symptomatic”, but dr. A.Jha doubts: “Okay, technically there is a difference. But they are also asymptomatic, they show no symptoms. “

Van Kerkhove herself emphasizes that WHO officials, using two terms instead of one, are only trying to show as precisely as possible what group of people they are talking about: “Unfortunately, not everyone is doing this, and they really are not I wanted to complicate the situation. “

The WHO, as already mentioned, also goes on to argue that in many cases the infection is transmitted by sneezing or coughing, that aerosols that stay in the air longer do not play a role. Again, there is mounting evidence that aerosols are actually contributing to the spread of the virus.

“I don’t think the WHO appreciates the fact that coughing, talking, and even breathing are procedures for releasing aerosols,” said Linsey Marr, a student at the University of Technology who studied viruses in the air.

Ask for a more responsible conversation.

WHO officials say they were aware of this, but still question the influence of aerosols on the spread of the virus. The organization’s expert Benedetta Allegranzi says: “Until now, the virus has not been transmitted by breathing or speaking.”

However, some researchers argue that the WHO defines airborne transmission of the coronavirus too narrowly. Cases where virus particles are suspended in air and inhaled should also be included.

More and more experts are urging WHO officials to speak more responsibly, especially on issues that are currently important, such as virus transmission.

“In that organization, the understanding of what aerosols and air pollution are is very poor, at the beginning of the 20th century.

Until the 1960s, tuberculosis was thought to be transmitted only after a long period of close contact, but we now know that only aerosols transmit the disease, “said Don Milton, an aerobiology expert at the University of Maryland.

Other scientists suspect that the WHO’s approach to using masks and sprays may be related not to research, but to fears that doctors may not have enough protective equipment.

The organization currently recommends using aerosol-blocking respirators only for healthcare professionals who perform aerosol-release procedures. Van Kerhove denies such allegations.

Be that as it may, more and more experts are urging WHO officials to speak more responsibly, especially on issues that are currently important, such as virus transmission. “We don’t know. But the WHO doesn’t know either,” said D. Milton.

“I agree. Many more studies are needed to understand the coronavirus. We understand that new data appears every day,” Van Kerkhove finally admitted.