Even as the COVID pandemic continues rage across America, India and the world, taking thousands of lives, the World Health Organization is alerting countries about its long-term symptoms, including damage to major organs.
“Although we’re still learning about the virus, what’s clear is that this is not just a virus that kills people. To a significant number of people, this virus poses a range of serious long-term effects,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking in Geneva on Friday during the UN agency’s latest virtual press conference.
The WHO Director-General described the vast spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms that fluctuate over time as “really concerning.”
They range from fatigue, a cough and shortness of breath, to inflammation and injury of major organs – including the lungs and heart, and also neurological and psychologic effects.
Symptoms often overlap and can affect any system in the body.
The WHO has also warned of very tough months ahead with too many nations witnessing exponential increase in cases. As of this morning the world has over 46.5 million cases and over 1.2 million deaths with America accounting for 9.2 million cases and over 231,000 deaths. India has the world’s second highest 8.2 million cases and the third ighest deaths at over 122,000.
With that as the backdrop it is deeply troubling that nine months on China has still not allowed a transparent and independent investigation of the source of the virus.
The WHO, which has faced the accusations of being coopted by Beijing, has not been able to conduct an independent investigation despite the fact that it is the best equipped international body to do that. Also, tarnishing its reputation are its early failures in acknowledging the risk of spread from asymptomatic carriers and that the virus could be airborne.
With no independent access to investigate the source of the virus and the world having to take China’s word for it, the world is flying blind.
The resurgence in Europe coupled with the virus’s raging progress across America and India will leave a lasting impact on the global economy. And if the long-term impact on the those infected is as severe and diverse as the WHO chief is saying, we have a debilitating post-pandemic crisis unfolding.