What we owe to each other - Jadyn

     The Coronavirus epidemic is a worldwide problem that will, directly and indirectly, affect every country. This epidemic is forcing countries to come together in agreement to work towards a solution and to help each other. However, I believe that countries must first take care of themselves. The article “Why Rich Countries must Protect Developing Nations from Coronavirus Pandemic” argues that affluent countries should be providing money and medical resources to impoverished countries. While I think that partnerships among countries are key to beating the virus and reaching global economic stability, affluent countries cannot and should not give away resources that they are running low on. America, for example, should not provide other countries with masks, ventilators, and Coronavirus tests right now because America is running low on these items, as well. However, I believe that once a country has controlled the outbreak and recovered, it should provide aid to those who are still battling the virus.
     Until there is a vaccine for the Coronavirus, no country can be immune to the virus’ effects unless all countries have the virus under control. Since there is no evidence that the virus will slow down as the temperature changes, and scientists still aren’t sure if people can get reinfected, as long as one country is still struggling with the pandemic, the virus has the potential to once again spread globally. I think that the best plan of action is for affluent countries who are struggling with the pandemic, to prioritize the safety and well-being of their citizens. Once that country is stable, it should then work to help other countries to overcome the virus. Doing this would allow the global economy to recover faster while protecting the public's health.
     IGOs like the UN are in the best position to help countries in need at the current moment. They already have funding that can go to whatever country they feel is in the most need. IGOs giving aid would allow for necessary help to be given while also not taking away the funds from another country that is struggling.

Comments

Callista Wilson said…
It is reasonable that leaders should prioritize their own citizens before helping others; however, with the virus's rapid spread, its effects on even strong economies, and the time needed for a vaccine, it could take several years for developed countries to control the outbreak or ever fully recover. Due to this, developed countries should still provide aid before they fully recover, but in ways which do not limit the protection of their own citizens. For example, sending food, water, and other basic resources that developed countries have available could let impoverished families stay home, reducing their chances of getting the virus. Also, money can be donated to the WHO and the UN, so developed countries can help without contemplating how money will be specifically allocated. Ultimately, there are ways to help underdeveloped countries which do not hurt people in developed countries, so it is the responsibility of developed countries to help in those ways.
March 29, 2020 at 8:06 PM
Sydney Ying said…
While I do agree with Callista's point of everyone doing their part to help because the virus is a global issue, even developed countries do not have enough resources to treat the people who are already infected and need it. Hundreds of hospitals are struggling to gain access to basic medical supplies. I think that once these developed countries' infection rates start to lower (as China's is) is when they can begin to divert some of their focus to helping other countries. However right now, the infection rate of COVID-19 even in the U.S is still rising and we are unable to treat everyone, so I think it is important that we focus on getting to a more stable place, and then offer all the assistance that we can to countries who need it.
March 29, 2020 at 8:23 PM
EmilyWilburn said…
First I want to say I really enjoyed your title, this really is the time we should be questioning that. We are in a position where we really should be questioning what is morally right or wrong. I agree that we should be taking care of our country and as we lower the rate of infection we can give to other countries as we gain the ability to do so. Do you think we should take further action?
March 29, 2020 at 10:31 PM
Carly Gregg said…
I agree completely with Jadyn's points. While it is important for all countries to work together to stop the spread of this disease, countries need to support their own citizens and needs first. If countries are able to develop enough medical equipment that they can share, then they absolutely should, but until then, they should be spreading their knowledge on the disease and financially supporting developing countries where they can, but mostly focusing on stopping their own spreads and keeping their citizens safe.
March 30, 2020 at 11:23 AM
Unknown said…
Good point about the dangers of developed nations providing aid for corona without dealing with it in their own borders first, but I don't see the article is actually disagreeing with what you say. Ed Holt's point seems to me to specifically be that once developed nations deal with the problem in their own borders, they need to deal with it in developing nations or else it will come back. I don't see him claiming that we owe developing nations resources that we're already short on, instead questioning whether we owe them even once resources aren't limited. By saying developing nations must help because otherwise the disease will come back to them, he leaves wide open the questions "What if it didn't? What if developed nations could solve corona in their own countries and then create virus-proof barriers around them and let the developing nations fend for themselves?" Or in terms of what is owed, "Do we owe it to save lives whose continuation doesn't directly benefit us?" And perhaps even "How much per life?"
March 30, 2020 at 12:59 PM
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