Developing countries need extra help on pandemic

I am so appreciative of the Daily Herald's editorial calling on all of us to stay the course to end this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This is exactly why we should also think about our fellow citizens around the world and their efforts to battle this pandemic. As a retired grandmother who is grateful to have the opportunity to travel and experience other cultures, I've experienced firsthand how countries are addressing the pandemic within their borders, and it's clear that helping them address this devastating situation is necessary.

As we debate the necessities of mask mandates and booster shots here in the U.S., we also need to talk about the need to help supply countries in Africa with the resources they need to fight COVID-19. African nations remain in dire need of assistance as less than six percent of people on the continent have received their first vaccines. Until more people in Africa and around the world are able to offer vaccines to the people who want it, Illinoisans will remain at risk. I urge Senators Durbin and Duckworth to support authorizing the International Monetary Fund to provide additional pandemic relief to developing nations in order to buy vaccines, medicine and other materials they need to fight this pandemic.

Nancy Carpenter

Chicago