VERIFY | WHO ending public health emergency

WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The World Health Organization announced Friday morning that it is ending the Global Health Emergency for COVID-19. The change represents one more step towards an end to the COVID-19 pandemic - but what impact does it have on our daily lives?

THE QUESTION

Does the end of the WHO’s public health emergency directly change COVID-19 policies in our communities?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

No - the WHO does not have the power to change local policy on its own.

WHAT WE FOUND

The WHO’s director-general can declare an outbreak to be a public health emergency of concern if the organization finds the disease requires a coordinated, international response.

As part of that declaration, the WHO can offer guidelines, send experts where they are needed, and compile data - all of which can help policymakers better respond to the emergency.

However, the WHO cannot impose policies – only countries can do that for their own citizens. So while the end of the WHO’s emergency declaration is an important milestone for our global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it does not immediately change any policies on the ground.

Changes are coming though. On May 11, the national COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is ending across the United States. Title 42 will expire, Medicaid coverage will end for some people, and you might have to pay more for COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and medication. Check out our article delving deeper into those upcoming changes here.