To the Editor:

Re “Trump, Seeing Poll Numbers Drop, Blames W.H.O. for Virus Mistakes” (news article, April 15):

President Trump has halted funding for the World Health Organization over vague and ever-shifting allegations of China-centrism and delaying the pandemic response. The accusations are false and hypocritical, and betray Mr. Trump’s colossal ignorance about the workings of this global organization.

The W.H.O. pressed quietly and successfully to get foreign specialists into China and issued warning after warning to the world about the urgent measures needed to stop transmission. Instead, Mr. Trump dithered and now casts about for someone else to blame.

Funding must be restored immediately. The deadly challenge of H.I.V./AIDS, malaria, polio and even Ebola (an outbreak recently thought to be over) hasn’t diminished just because a new pandemic is raging. If we weaken the W.H.O.’s capacity to support its member states, especially those in South Asia, South America and Africa that have yet to be seriously affected by the coronavirus pandemic, we will be part of the problem, not the solution. First, do no harm.

Suzanne Cherney​

Naples, Fla.

The writer has worked as an editor and writer at W.H.O. and UNAIDS.

To the Editor:

As soon as I heard of President Trump’s W.H.O. bashing and promises to end support, I went online and donated to its Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Not much, but likely way more than whatever small bit of my taxes help fund it.