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"Although we agree with the chief of staff, that controlling the vulnerable, I mean, protecting the vulnerable is important. But giving up on control is dangerous and control should also be part of the strategy," said Tedros.

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said on Sunday that the administration was "not going to control the pandemic," and was instead focused on vaccines and therapeutics.

Trump on Monday disagreed with Meadows, saying he had not given up trying to control the pandemic - "absolutely the opposite" - and accused the news media of focusing on the public health crisis to hurt him politically.