Working together is best way for world to beat outbreak, former WHO chief says

Working together is the "only option" to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, Margaret Chan, a national political advisor and former director-general of the World Health Organization, said at a plenary meeting of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on Sunday.

Chan also warned that indifference, inaction and any attempts to downplay the outbreak's severity will bring irreparable and disastrous consequences.

"The virus that causes this pandemic is the most cunning one I've ever seen," she said. By contrast, the Ebola virus is deadlier but cannot transmit easily, and the influenza virus spreads fast among people but its mortality rate is low.

"We have all witnessed the enormous efforts made by the Chinese government and its people in fighting the disease," she said. "Resolute control measures implemented by China have curbed the disease's spread and saved many lives, winning support and recognition from both its people and the international community."

"Successive viral outbreaks remind us time and again that prejudice and discrimination must be discarded and we all must unite together," she added.

Chan also called for efforts to strengthen weak areas in China's public health system and emergency management mechanism, such as stepping up research into emerging contagious diseases, improving its early warning system and boosting psychological assistance.