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Don't politicise virus, WHO chief says after Trump blast

"Please don't politicise this virus," pleaded World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday following stinging criticism of the WHO from US President Donald Trump. "Quarantine, politicising COVID... we shouldn't waste time pointing fingers," he told a virtual briefing in Geneva, adding: "It's like playing with fire... We need to behave."

Agencies and A News WORLD
Published April 08,2020
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The head of the World Health Organization gave a strident defence of his agency's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, in response to a question about U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism and suggestion that Washington could review funding.

"So my advice, three things," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing. "Please, unity at national level, no using COVID for political points. Second, honest solidarity at the global level. And honest leadership from the U.S. and China."

He urged leaders not to "politicise" the virus.