COVID-19: Messages from the Secretary-General

António Guterres (United Nations Secretary-General) at launch of Policy Brief on Persons with Disabilities and COVID-19
  
The COVID-19 crisis is affecting every aspect of our societies, revealing the extent of exclusion that the most marginalized members of society experience. 
Today, I would like to highlight how the pandemic is affecting the world’s 1 billion people with disabilities.
Even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities are less likely to access education, healthcare and income opportunities or participate in the community.

Journalists and media workers are crucial to helping us make informed decisions. As the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, those decisions can make the difference between life and death.  

On World Press Freedom Day, we call on governments -- and others -- to guarantee that journalists can do their jobs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 

As the pandemic spreads, it has also given rise to a second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories. 

António Guterres (United Nations Secretary-General) on the Launch of the Policy Brief on Older Persons
  
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold fear and suffering for older people across the world. 
The fatality rate for older people is higher overall, and for those over 80, it is five times the global average. 
Beyond its immediate health impact, the pandemic is putting older people at greater risk of poverty, discrimination and isolation. It is likely to have a particularly devastating impact on older people in developing countries.

  The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency — but it is far more. 
It is an economic crisis. A social crisis. And a human crisis that is fast becoming a human rights crisis.
In February, I launched a Call to Action to put human dignity and the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the core of our work.
As I said then, human rights cannot be an afterthought in times of crisis — and we now face the biggest international crisis in generations.

I extend my warmest wishes as millions of Muslims around the world begin observing the holy month of Ramadan.
This will, of course, be a very different Ramadan.  Many community activities will naturally be affected by measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, many people in conflict zones will once again be tragically marking this month with war and insecurity all around.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the globe, we are seeing an alarming pattern.
The poorest and most vulnerable members of society are being the hardest hit, both by the pandemic and the response.
I am especially concerned about the well-being of the world’s children.
Thankfully, children have so far been largely spared from the most severe symptoms of the disease.
But their lives are being totally upended.
I appeal to families everywhere, and leaders at all levels: protect our children.

As the world fights the deadly COVID-19 pandemic – the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War – we are also seeing another epidemic -- a dangerous epidemic of misinformation.
Around the world, people are scared. They want to know what to do and where to turn for advice. 
This is a time for science and solidarity. 
Yet the global ‘misinfo-demic’ is spreading.
Harmful health advice and snake-oil solutions are proliferating. 
Falsehoods are filling the airwaves.
Wild conspiracy theories are infecting the Internet.

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold human suffering and economic devastation around the world.
I recently called for an immediate global ceasefire to focus on our shared struggle to overcome the pandemic.
I appealed for an end to violence everywhere, now.
But violence is not confined to the battlefield. 
For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest.
In their own homes. 
And so I make a new appeal today for peace at home — and in homes — around the world. 

Today, I want to make a special appeal to religious leaders of all faiths to join forces to work for peace around the world and focus on our common battle to defeat COVID19.
I do so at a special time on the spiritual calendar. 
For Christians, it is the celebration of Easter.  Jews are marking Passover.  And soon, Muslims will begin the holy month of Ramadan. 
I extend my warmest wishes to all those observing these important MOMENTS.

Video message by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on World Health Day 2020 (7 April)

My message today is to our health care workers -- the nurses, midwives, technicians, paramedics, pharmacists, doctors, drivers, cleaners, administrators and many others -- who work, day and night to keep us safe.

Today, we are more deeply grateful than ever to all of you, as you work, round the clock, putting yourselves at risk, to fight the ravages of this pandemic.