The World Health Organization’s Pandemic Treaty Ignores COVID Policy Mistakes

The World Health Organization’s Pandemic Treaty Ignores COVID Policy Mistakes
A sign outside World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva on Aug. 17, 2020. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
Kevin Bardosh
Jay Bhattacharya
Updated:
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Commentary
The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging the U.S. government and 193 other governments to commit this month to a new global treaty to prevent and manage future pandemics. Current estimates suggest that more than $31 billion per year will be needed to fund its obligations, a cost that most lower-income countries cannot afford. But that isn’t the only reason to oppose it. Validating this treaty is a vote for the disastrous policies of the COVID-19 years. Rather than taking time for deep reflection and serious reform, those pushing the pandemic treaty are set on ignoring and institutionalizing the WHO’s mistakes.
Kevin Bardosh, Ph.D., is director and head of research at Collateral Global and affiliate assistant professor at the University of Washington.