The WHO’s COVID-19 pandemic declaration may be late

Significance

Until this point, the organisation had resisted using the term despite COVID-19 reaching all continents apart from Antarctica and a growing external scientific consensus that the outbreak was already a pandemic. The reasons for this delay include past criticisms, concern over inducing public panic and a fear of triggering an inappropriate change in approach to the outbreak. However, continued avoidance of the term has created its own problems.

Impacts

• Countries will begin to shift focus from their current containment campaigns to mitigation efforts, and prepare for worst-case scenarios.
• Distrust of the WHO and healthcare organisations could hamper future initiatives to limit the outbreak.
• Fear and uncertainty associated with the pandemic declaration will be reflected globally on an economic level.