WHO's Nabarro: Stop Addiction to Lockdowns—They Make `Poor People an Awful Lot Poorer’

David Nabarro, a Special Envoy on COVID-19 for WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is making a forceful case for what he calls “The Middle Path": “Some commentators say ‘more restrictions needed now.’ Others say ‘let the virus run wild and build up herd immunity.’ A middle path is needed…. Too many restrictions damage people’s livelihoods and provoke resentment. ‘Virus run wild’ will lead to lots of deaths as well as debilitating long Covid among younger people.” This involves, first, using `all precautions all the time’ — distancing, masking, washing hands, self-isolating when ill, and shielding the most vulnerable. Second, there must be investment in public health services for the test-trace-isolate-protect capacity, which must include mass testing capacity. This is to deal with surges. Finally, international cooperation is vital…. Lockdowns in one country interrupt trade and commerce around the world.... Lockdowns are making poor people an awful lot poorer.’”