CDC director on WHO: We continue to have a ‘productive public health relationship’

Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on Wednesday said the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to have a “productive public health relationship” with the CDC after President Trump announced he was halting funds for the global organization pending a review.

Redfield told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that the WHO and the CDC have a “long history of working together” through “multiple outbreaks.”

“We’ve had a really productive health relationship. We continue to have that,” he said. 

“Again, I’d like to do the post mortem on this outbreak once we get through it together,” Redfield said when pressed by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on whether the WHO failed during the coronavirus pandemic.

FULL INTERVIEW: CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield speaks with @GStephanopoulos on the latest in the coronavirus pandemic battle and plans to re-open the United States. https://t.co/PrZRMwCBwK pic.twitter.com/v8eVXYX7o8

— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 15, 2020

When asked about which states will be ready to reopen by May 1, Redfield said that it is up to the states. The reopening plans will be finalized by the White House task force in the “days ahead.”

“I think we will see some states that the governors feel they are ready, and we’re poised to assist them with that reopening,” he said.

Trump announced his plans to stop funding the WHO during his Tuesday press conference, saying he would withhold it until the organization’s management of the coronavirus pandemic is analyzed.

But the president has received many critiques for his announcement, including from Democratic, United Nations, European Union and Chinese officials.

Trump has aimed for the economy to reopen on May 1, but it is unclear if states will go through with that.

Stephanopoulos and his wife have both tested positive for COVID-19, although the ABC anchor had yet to experience symptoms Monday. Redfield said he prayed for Stephanopoulos and his wife that they “recover fast and quick.”