Kit Knightly
Today is the first day of the 79th annual World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization, where delegates come together to set policies and priorities for global health.
Basically, it’s a week-long exercise in saying, “We are really important,” as loudly and for as long as possible.
And thank goodness she arrived right now, because… wow.
The hantavirus outbreak is sweeping across the world with an unstoppable and terrifying speed, causing as many as five deaths every two months.
That’s about 30 deaths per year, or roughly 0.25% of the number of people who die from falls on stairs.
In Africa, the Ebola virus went from zero to “emergency” in a very short time, and the African CDC had no choice but to switch into panic mode.
A new strain of the Ebola virus has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization.
More than 300 suspected cases have been identified – at least 80 deaths have been reported. The outbreak is largely confined to the Democratic Republic of Congo…
These two outbreaks, combined with a “growing anti-vaccine movement” and cuts in research funding, show that the world is “not ready for the next pandemic,” according to Al Jazeera.
And – of course – climate change could mean that hantavirus outbreaks become more frequent!
And “experts” are now saying that the world is becoming more vulnerable to these outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Be afraid – be very afraid!
And, oh yes – with all this chaos out there… perhaps this would be a good time to finally begin ratifying this pandemic agreement, what do you think?
It’s a bit like last year, when the weeks leading up to the 78th Assembly were accompanied by new waves of monkeypox cases as well as outbreaks of measles, cholera, anthrax and polio.
What may or may not have helped them secure a 30% budget increase for 2026, not to mention hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding commitments.
It must be said: If nothing else works, then “panic mode” will secure a lot of money.
Money that the WHO may “need”, since the United States officially left the organization in January.
This fits into the narrative of multipolarity.
On the one hand, you’ll have the “sensible” WHO countries that cooperate, are kind, and prevent diseases. On the other hand, you’ll have the silly, backward MAGA-USA, individualistic, selfish, and backward-looking.
OR
On the one hand, you’ll have the tyrannical, collectivist WHO, enforcing conformity, stifling competition, and trampling on freedoms. On the other hand, you’ll have the rugged, lone wolf USA, taking matters into its own hands.
Your side determines your perspective. Pick one. In the end, it will hardly make a difference.
The measures that both will implement will be almost identical.
Speaking of measures: Other “experts” – different from those before – are calling on the WHO to formally declare climate change an “international health emergency” and…
to trigger a coordinated international response that could help prevent millions of deaths.
And take a look at this art installation/advertising campaign before the assembly…
The “Lost Screen Memorial”, an installation of giant illuminated smartphones representing 50 children who tragically lost their lives after suffering harm related to social media, is on display at the Place des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly.
Fifty completely real and by no means possibly fabricated lives lost “due to harm related to social media.” That is terrible.
I guess age verification, smartphone bans, and digital ID are also health policy.
What an interesting ten days lie ahead of us.
