UN: World must be better prepared for next pandemic

印刷用画面を開く

Posted

Category: Health

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. preparedness / prɪˈpɛərd nɪs / (n.) – the state of being prepared for something that might happen
    Example:

    All countries should have a pandemic preparedness plan.


  2. accord / əˈkɔrd / (n.) – a formal and mutual agreement between countries or groups
    Example:

    The two countries signed a peace accord.


  3. equitable / ˈɛk wɪ tə bəl / (adj.) – being fair or equal
    Example:

    The people in the rally are fighting for a more equitable distribution of wealth and power in the country.


  4. inclusive / ɪnˈklu sɪv / (adj.) – allowing all kinds of people to join
    Example:

    This playground is inclusive. All of its facilities allow children with disabilities to play.


  5. coherent / koʊˈhɪər ənt / (adj.) – being logical, clear, and reasonable
    Example:

    The director presented a coherent plan for the company for the next five years.


Article

Read the text below.

The global response to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that killed millions of people must not be repeated if another pandemic were to break out, the president of the United Nations General Assembly announced.


“We must address the serious shortcomings in our national, regional, and global efforts to prevent another pandemic from taking a similar toll,” President Csaba Kőrösi said during a hearing on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.


COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced May 5.


Although COVID-19 “may be over as a global health emergency,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO emphasized in a video message that countries shouldn’t ignore the threat that an even deadlier pathogen can emerge.


“Member states are negotiating a new pandemic accord, a generational commitment that we will not go back to the old cycle of panic and neglect that left our world vulnerable but move forward with a shared commitment to meet shared threats with a shared response,” Tedros said.


More than three years later, the virus has caused an estimated 764 million cases globally, and about 5 billion people have received at least one dose of vaccine.


“As we recover from the collective trauma of COVID-19, we must work together to build a new future that’s equitable, inclusive, and coherent,” Tedros said.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Recently, the UN announced that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency. How does this announcement make you feel (ex. anxious, relieved)? Why? Discuss.
  • Tedros talked about the old cycle of panic and neglect that left our world vulnerable at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In your country, what was the public mood when COVID-19 became a pandemic? Were the government’s actions satisfactory? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • UN President Kőrösi said, “We must address the serious shortcomings in our national, regional, and global efforts to prevent another pandemic from taking a similar toll.” What do you think were the governments’ and global organizations’ serious shortcomings then? Discuss.
  • According to Tedros, “As we recover from the collective trauma of COVID-19, we must work together to build a new future that’s equitable, inclusive, and coherent.” In your opinion, what did Tedros mean? Discuss.