As President Trump has repeatedly said, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not only dropped the ball on the coronavirus and warned the world much too late of its effects, but apparently is “China-centric” in its dealings with the rest of the world.
The facts bear out the president’s analysis. Trump has mentioned he is considering a hold on U.S. contributions to the WHO because of their actions, missteps, and Chinese ties. Well, go after their money and that strikes a nerve.
In response, WHO Director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “If you don’t want many more body bags you refrain from politicizing it—please quarantine politicizing COVID.” The head of the group that is virtually owned by China talks about “politicizing” the situation. That’s rich. And body bags? How many less body bags would be needed if they had done their job?
The WHO director went on, “My short message is please quarantine politicizing COVID—the unity of your country will be very important to defeat this dangerous virus. Without unity we assure you even any country that may have a better system will be in more trouble. That’s our message.”
Oh, yes, the WHO is very concerned about American unity. That’s why they are criticizing our president right now. No, they are concerned with cash. That’s all.
Fox News reports, “The United States is the single largest contributor to the WHO. The most recent invoice from the WHO to the United States, which is one of many countries that fund the organization, was for nearly $116 million per year. The United States also voluntarily gives more per year to the WHO for specific projects—contributions that totaled over $400 million in 2017, the most recent year for which figures are available.”
And of course, that bastion of pro-U.S. feeling, the United Nations, had to chime in: “It is my belief that the World Health Organization must be supported, as it is absolutely critical to the world’s efforts to win the war against COVID-19,” said U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
With supporters like that the president has every right to hold, curtail, or pull the plug on funding for the WHO.
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