WHO warns 2 million virus deaths possible, Australia urges vaccine-sharing

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GENEVA, Sept 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Coronavirus deaths could more than double
to two million without collective action against the pandemic, the World
Health Organization has warned, as Australia’s prime minister urged any
nation that develops a vaccine to share it with the world.

The number of cases worldwide has soared past 32 million, with deaths
approaching one million, the global economy devastated, and major cultural
and sports events disrupted.

But despite the pandemic showing no signs of slowing, Japan’s new prime
minister Yoshihide Suga struck a defiant note Friday, saying his country was
determined to hold the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“One million is a terrible number and we need to reflect on that before we
start considering a second million,” the WHO’s emergencies director Michael
Ryan told reporters on Friday when asked how high the death toll could go.

“Are we prepared collectively to do what it takes to avoid that number?

“If we don’t take those actions… yes, we will be looking at that number
and sadly much higher.”

The pandemic has spurred worldwide efforts to develop a vaccine to help
defeat Covid-19, as well as efforts to try to ensure fair and widespread
distribution.

“Whoever finds the vaccine must share it… This is a global
responsibility and it’s a moral responsibility,” Australian Prime Minister
Scott Morrison said Friday in a message to the virtual UN General Assembly.

“Some might see short-term advantage or even profit, but I assure you…
humanity will have a very long memory and be a very, very severe judge.”

– Japan Olympics vow –

Without a vaccine or effective treatment, social distancing and lockdowns
remain among the few options for governments to curb the spread of the virus,
making large gatherings like spectator sports and music concerts highly
risky.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, postponed for a year, were the biggest such
casualty, and Japan’s new leader vowed to hold them in 2021.

“In the summer of next year, Japan is determined to host the Tokyo Olympic
and Paralympic Games as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic,” Prime
Minister Yoshihide Suga told the United Nations General Assembly in a video
message.

But with continued spikes worldwide, there are concerns about whether the
event will be possible even next year if the pandemic is not under control.

In a further illustration of the impact of the virus, authorities in
Brazil — which has the world’s second-highest death toll — indefinitely
postponed Rio de Janeiro’s carnival.

And just 1,000 fans a day are being allowed at the French Open, with
organisers of one of the world’s biggest tennis events saying it means
“millions of euros up in smoke”.

– ‘Today, I get zero euros’ –

The WHO warning came as the United States, the hardest-hit nation in the
world, crossed seven million cases — more than a fifth of the global total
despite accounting for only four percent of the world population.

Many European nations, meanwhile, are struggling with new waves of
infections.

Spain expanded a lockdown in and around the capital Madrid to cover one
million people from Monday.

In Britain, authorities announced restrictions now extending to a quarter
of the population, while two supermarket chains said they were rationing
purchases of certain goods to clamp down on panic buying.

Moscow, meanwhile, ordered vulnerable residents of the Russian capital to
avoid infection by staying at home, while Israel tightened its lockdown by
stopping people from taking flights out of the country.

France reported record figures — daily cases soared past 16,000 for the
first time on Thursday. But moves by the authorities to contain the virus are
not popular with many because of their painful economic toll.

Marseille bar and restaurant owners gathered outside the city’s commercial
courthouse to demonstrate against forced closures starting Sunday evening.

“Today, I get zero euros, zero euros,” said Sam, a nightclub manager.

“I have (to pay) rent because I’m not lucky enough to be a landlord.”