By Charlotte Webster-
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged everyone to minimise alcohol use and avoid drunkenness during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it called for a ban ti be enforced against alcohol. The extra guidance put on the organisation’s site last Tuesday was brought to The Eye Of Media’s attention today, led to giggles.
The warning which is serious, also must also be understood in perspective.
In a statement posted to the website of the organisation Tuesday gone, WHO warned governments that existing restrictions on the availability of alcoholic beverages “should be upheld and even reinforced” in countries that have enacted lockdown-like measures.The organisation made no correlation between alcohol consumption and vulnerability to Covid-19 but highlighted the effects it has on the mental health of individuals.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we should really ask ourselves what risks we are taking in leaving people under lockdown in their homes with a substance that is harmful both in terms of their health and the effects of their behaviour on others, including violence,” Carina Ferreira-Borges, manager of the WHO Europe’s alcohol and illicit drugs program, said in the statement.
”Alcohol is responsible for 3 million deaths a year worldwide, a third of which occur in the WHO European Region, their statement said Not only is this the region with the highest alcohol intake and the highest prevalence of drinkers in the population, but it is also the region with the highest prevalence of alcohol use disorders in the population and the highest share of deaths caused by alcohol, among all deaths.
“Alcohol is consumed in excessive quantities in the European Region, and leaves too many victims. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we should really ask ourselves what risks we are taking in leaving people under lockdown in their homes with a substance that is harmful both in terms of their health and the effects of their behaviour on others, including violence,” says Carina Ferreira-Borges, Programme Manager, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Programme, WHO/Europe.
”Existing rules and regulations to protect health and reduce harm caused by alcohol, such as restricting access, should be upheld and even reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency situations; while any relaxation of regulations or their enforcement should be avoided, the statement read. This needs to be complemented by communicating with the public about the risks of alcohol consumption, and maintaining and strengthening alcohol and drug services.
Additionally, the WHO warned that “people should minimise their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” and avoid drinking to the point of intoxication altogether, citing alcohol’s ability to harm physical and mental health.
“Stay sober so that you can remain vigilant, act quickly and make decisions with a clear head, for yourself and others. U.S president, Donald Trump recently announced he was suspending several millions of funds in aid from the organisation. In announcing the decision to pull funding from the WHO, Trump said the United Nations agency mismanaged the early stages of the outbreak.
The organisation is right in principle, but its advice lacks moderation. Imposing a ban on alcohol in people’s home is not enforceable in Covid-19 times when many people are stuck at home and bored in many cases. Drinking is indeed bad for the physical and mental health when abused, but the idea of banning it altogether has to be laughable. It just won’t happen.