World Health Organization (WHO) President Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged Mexico to take the Covid-19 epidemic “very seriously,” after seeing the number of cases and deaths double between mid and late November.
While Adhanom didn’t name names, his comments clearly alluded to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has been widely criticized for taking the pandemic too lightly. “We do not comment on individual behaviors regarding the use of masks,” Adhanom said. “But we have generally said that wearing a mask is important, hand hygiene is important, keeping your distance is important, and we hope leaders are exemplary. We want leaders to be a role model.”
López Obrador rarely wears a mask at public events or in meetings with his collaborators. He has said he “doesn’t need to” because he complies with social distancing. He stresses that he uses a mask in places where it is necessary or mandatory, such as on airplanes.
López Obrador has also been criticized for failing to implement a mass testing program, which experts suggest might have helped contain the spread of the virus.