The WHO is warning young people worldwide that they are at risk from COVID-19. Many young people mistakenly believe they cannot catch the virus because of their age. They think it is a disease that only older people catch. The WHO said the truth is that many young people are catching the coronavirus. Many young people are becoming ill or dying from it. It added that young people are also spreading the disease to their parents and grandparents. The White House also told young people to follow advice and not gather in large groups. This will help prevent the spread of the virus.
The WHO boss said: "Today, I have a message for young people: You are not invincible." He added: "This coronavirus could put you in hospital for weeks, or even kill you. Even if you don't get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else." The WHO said many COVID-19 patients in hospital are aged under 50. New York's governor said many young people are not following social-distancing rules. He told young people that: "This is a public health issue and you cannot be endangering other peoples' health."