Bangladesh, July 14 -- A senior World Health Organization (WHO) official called for data-driven Covid-19 public health strategies instead of not making a mere politically-driven decision on school reopening.

"We can't play Whack-a-mole. We need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time", said Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, during WHO regular press briefing in Geneva on Monday.

The WHO official said the topic of school reopenings has become a "political football", which is not fair on children.

"Decisions must be made on data, and an understanding of the risks. There needs to be a sustained commitment on suppressing the virus. If we can suppress it, then, schools can open safely," he ...