More relief needed
To the Journal editor:
It is easy to get caught up in our small town. Believe me, our local community is one of my favorite aspects of my hometown, but we must not forget about the broader picture of a global community.
COVID-19 has devastated families and friends throughout our community, but unlike some areas around the globe, the United States has provided us with easy access to vaccines and various other relief mechanisms. Others are not so lucky.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted global extreme poverty levels, leading them to rise for the first time in nearly two decades.
Although the United States’ Congress passed its most recent COVID-19 relief package, it is still not enough to compensate the severe impact the pandemic has had on low-income countries.
At this current rate, many of the low-income countries will not receive access to COVID-19 vaccines for years to come. Lack of global distribution of vaccines increases the possibility of more COVID-19 variants.
Most of these developing countries were not prepared for such a large global pandemic and still do not have the infrastructure and funds to fight back against this omnipresent pandemic.
It is imperative that the United States pass another COVID-19 relief bill providing the funds and support necessary to uplift those in such detrimental states.
MONIKA TOMICA
Newberry