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 Trump took exception on Wednesday to comments from the director of
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert
Redfield, who said a vaccine could be broadly rolled out in mid-2021
and masks might be more effective.
Trump, at a news conference, said he believed a vaccine will be
rolled out much sooner. He said he called Redfield after his
testimony to question him about it, and that Redfield appeared to
have been confused by the question.
"It is important that we have consistent messaging from all levels,
and it's not for one country or one entity; consistent messaging
between science and between government," the WHO's Mike Ryan said in
response to a question about the exchange.
The science around the coronavirus was "complicated stuff", with
data and new evidence evolving, Ryan said. "So it isn't easy and it
isn't easy for everyone to be on message all of the time."
"What is important is that governments, scientific institutions,
step back, review the evidence, and give the most comprehensive
easy-to-understand-and-digest information so that people can take
the appropriate action."
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Ryan, a veteran of Ebola outbreaks in Africa and other epidemics, said
authorities must engage with communities to address anxieties.
"It's understanding the confusion, it's understanding their concern, it's
understanding their apprehension. And not laughing at it and not turning that
into some kind of political football," he added.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead for COVID-19, said it recommended a
comprehensive package of measures including physical distancing to prevent
spread of the virus.
"Masks are part of it," she added.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Peter Graff)
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