![\"corona-death-toll-2-million-rapid-news-pandemic-covid19-dailyrapidnews\"](\"https:\/\/dailyrapidnews.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/corona-death-toll-2-million-rapid-news-pandemic-covid19-dailyrapidnews.jpg\")
\u201cBehind this staggering number are names and faces: the smile now only a memory, the seat forever empty at the dinner table, the room that echoes with the silence of a loved one\u201d, Guterres said.<\/p>\nWith more than two million lives now lost worldwide to COVID-19, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed Friday for countries to work together and help each other to end the pandemic and save lives.<\/p>\n
In a video statement, the UN chief noted that the absence of a global coordinated effort has worsened the pandemic\u2019s deadly impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cBehind this staggering number are names and faces: the smile now only a memory, the seat forever empty at the dinner table, the room that echoes with the silence of a loved one\u201d, Guterres said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the memory of those two million souls, the world must act with far greater solidarity,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Since its discovery at the end of December 2019, COVID-19 has now spread to all corners of the world, with cases in 191 countries and regions. Deaths due to the disease reached the grim milestone of one million only in September.<\/p>\n
In addition, the socio-economic impact of the pandemic has been massive, with countless jobs and livelihoods lost globally, and millions pushed into poverty and hunger.<\/p>\n
Guterres went on to note that though safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, disparity continue between nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cVaccines are reaching high income countries quickly, while the world\u2019s poorest have none at all,\u201d he said, adding that \u201csome countries are pursuing side deals, even procuring beyond need.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UN chief went on to note that while governments have a responsibility to protect their populations, \u201c\u2018vaccinationalism\u2019 is self-defeating and will delay a global recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCOVID-19 cannot be beaten one country at a time,\u201d he stressed. Guterres called on countries to commit now to sharing any excess doses of vaccines, to help urgently vaccinate health workers around the world and prevent health systems from collapsing.<\/p>\n
He also reiterated the need to ensure full funding for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT Accelerator) and its COVAX facility, to make vaccines available and affordable to all.<\/p>\n
At the same time, people must remember and practice \u201csimple and proven\u201d steps to keep each other safe: wearing masks, physically distancing, avoiding crowds, and hand hygiene.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur world can only get ahead of this virus one way \u2013 together. Global solidarity will save lives, protect people and help defeat this vicious virus\u201d, Guterres added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With more than two million lives now lost worldwide to COVID-19, the UN Secretary-General Antonio<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1695,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n