But until only recently, the Trump administration had dismissed the outbreak as a nonissue and even a political hoax. Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has since walloped the United States more than any other country. Mr. Gowan and other experts on the United Nations said there was still much that the 193-member organization could do to play a leading role in containing the pandemic through its extensive humanitarian aid network. They noted that the World Health Organization, an arm of the United Nations that was criticized for its initial response to the Ebola crisis, had been far more diligent in assessing the coronavirus threat. He has also sought to avoid offending the countries that are among the biggest U.N. financial benefactors — most notably the United States and China.

Source: International New York Times April 02, 2020 18:09 UTC