As the global coronavirus pandemic rages on, more than a few of us have been guilty of looking exclusively within our borders and ignoring the plight of the poorest world citizens. Continuing down this path will inevitably lead to resurgences of this virus and others like it.

Pandemics, as their definition clearly states, are global. It is not possible to move past this disease with an entirely regional and nationalistic approach. As said by the UN Secretary-General, “We are only as strong as the weakest health care system in our interconnected world.” Poorer nations, especially on the African continent, have to deal with 23% of global COVID cases but only account for 1% of global health expenditure. Without proper funding and resources for these nations, lockdown efforts across America will be wasted. Lockdown procedures may well temporarily expel the virus from the United States and the West; however, given the interconnectedness of the world, it needs to be eradicated from all corners of the globe.

I implore all citizens who want a return to normalcy to call, email and otherwise urge our representatives to support the Global Health Security Act which will regain US leadership in international affairs and help stop this pandemic and prevent others like it.

Newsletter