The COVID-19 Resource Centre, established by Elsevier in January 2020, provides free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect and grants permission for all COVID-19-related research to be immediately available in PubMed Central and other public repositories, with unrestricted reuse and analysis rights. This permission is valid as long as the resource centre remains active. The article discusses the clinical course and mortality risk of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of early data in understanding the disease. It notes that viral shedding is significant in the early phase of the disease, and the role of asymptomatic carriers is still under investigation. The WHO has characterized the COVID-19 situation as a pandemic, and the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards (STAG-IH) provides recommendations for control activities, including increased preparedness, case finding, contact tracing, and social distancing. The group emphasizes the need for rapid data sharing and technical collaboration to combat the pandemic. The article also advocates for a feminist economic agenda at WHO, arguing that recognizing the interdependence of health and the economy is crucial. This approach addresses power dynamics and gender inequality, and it is consistent with public health principles that health is interdependent on social and commercial determinants. The article highlights the need to address systemic disadvantages and discrimination in the health workforce, particularly the underrepresentation of women and the undervaluing of unpaid care work. It calls for more ambitious action from international financial institutions to support governments in providing public services and achieving universal health coverage.The COVID-19 Resource Centre, established by Elsevier in January 2020, provides free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect and grants permission for all COVID-19-related research to be immediately available in PubMed Central and other public repositories, with unrestricted reuse and analysis rights. This permission is valid as long as the resource centre remains active. The article discusses the clinical course and mortality risk of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of early data in understanding the disease. It notes that viral shedding is significant in the early phase of the disease, and the role of asymptomatic carriers is still under investigation. The WHO has characterized the COVID-19 situation as a pandemic, and the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards (STAG-IH) provides recommendations for control activities, including increased preparedness, case finding, contact tracing, and social distancing. The group emphasizes the need for rapid data sharing and technical collaboration to combat the pandemic. The article also advocates for a feminist economic agenda at WHO, arguing that recognizing the interdependence of health and the economy is crucial. This approach addresses power dynamics and gender inequality, and it is consistent with public health principles that health is interdependent on social and commercial determinants. The article highlights the need to address systemic disadvantages and discrimination in the health workforce, particularly the underrepresentation of women and the undervaluing of unpaid care work. It calls for more ambitious action from international financial institutions to support governments in providing public services and achieving universal health coverage.