WHO DG Says Young People Not Convinced About Covid-19 Risk
Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom, has said that young people across the world are not behaving as if Covid-19 exists.
Adhanom made this known during Thursday’s press briefing in Geneva.
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“One of the challenges we face is convincing younger people of this risk.
“Although older people are at a higher risk of the severe disease, younger people are at risk too”, he said.
According to him, reports show that the behaviour of the youth population in areas where there are surges in Covid-19 cases, is not in consonance with public health advisory.
“Evidence suggests that spikes of cases in some countries are being driven in part by younger people letting down their guard during the northern hemisphere summer,” he added.
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Furthermore, he warned that the coronavirus affected people of all ages, adding that the youths should take personal responsibility in keeping themselves safe, in line with the stipulated guidelines.
WHO had listed the following guidelines as a preventive measure: wearing of face mask, washing of hands with water and soap; use of hand sanitizer as well as social distancing, among others.
His statement further reads:
“We have said it before and we’ll say it again: young people are not invincible.
“Young people can be infected; young people can die; and young people can transmit the virus to others.
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“That’s why young people must take the same precautions to protect themselves and protect others as everyone else.
” They can be leaders – they should be leaders and drivers of change.”
