U.N. Security Council meets over coronavirus as it struggles to act By Reuters

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council observe a moment of silence at the beginning of a meeting about Afghanistan at United Nations Headquarters in the Manhattan borough of New York City

By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council met for the first time on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus pandemic as the 15-member body – charged with maintaining international peace and security – struggles to agree on whether it should take any action.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres privately briefed a virtual council meeting on the disease, which has so far infected some 1.5 million people – killing 90,000 – in more than 200 countries and territories, according to a Reuters tally.

“The pandemic also poses a significant threat to the maintenance of international peace and security – potentially leading to an increase in social unrest and violence that would greatly undermine…