Congress must pass the Global Health Security Act

Americans have reached a dangerous level of complacency in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among my vaccinated friends, a common sentiment is that we've done all we possibly could.

We got the shot. We're following the mask mandate when required. Why should we worry further? Let's live our lives again.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated citizens are more likely to believe that the vaccine is a bigger threat than the virus itself.

Although it is understandable how we've reached this point, we need to be on alert. Another dangerous variant can be looming around the corner. Or, even worse, another pandemic.

Now, a common refrain about the COVID-19 virus is that this has been a "one-in-100-year pandemic." However, scientists have recently discovered that there is a 2% likelihood of a COVID-19 pandemic occurring any given year.

This is why it is very important that congress passes the Global Health Security Act, which would improve the government's pandemic response team. As a Borgen Project Ambassador, I strongly support this measure, and you should too.

Joshua Perry

Wilmette