‘Unmitigated surge in Covid-19 not only threatens India, but the entire world.’
As the US finally came out to help India stem a tsunami of new Covid-19 cases, top US lawmakers asked President Joe Biden to ramp up efforts to also support other hard-hit countries like India.
Among them Democrat Mark Warner and Republican John Cornyn US Senators Co-Chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the only country-specific caucus in the US Senate.
In a letter to Biden, they urged him to help India and other hard hit countries by providing them with medical supplies and surplus vaccinations as they manage the recent surge in coronavirus infections.
READ: US pledges steadfast, ongoing support for Covid hit India (April 27, 2021)
“As co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, we are watching with growing alarm the unprecedented surge of Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, which has overwhelmed hospitals and the overall health system in India.”
“India is the now the epicenter of this crisis and faces a severe shortage of testing kits, vaccines, oxygen equipment, personal protective equipment, and medical facilities,” Warner and Cornyn wrote.
“India is also in great need of treatments and medicines, including oxygen, monoclonal antibodies, Remdesivir, and high quality dexamethasone to combat the virus.”
“As is the case in this global crisis, this unmitigated surge in Covid-19 not only threatens India and its people, but it threatens the entire world as variants emerge, and nations continue to struggle to limit the virus’ spread.”
“We urge you to find ways to increase support to the most impacted countries, including India, with surplus vaccines, supplies, and field hospitals, as they battle to reduce the number of deaths and new cases,” the lawmakers wrote.
READ: United States offers to make vaccine ingredients available to India immediately (April 25, 2021)
Commending the administration’s announcement of help to India, Congresswoman Val Demings urged Biden to do more saying, “We must also be a global leader. We cannot stand back and allow mass deaths.”
Noting that India accounts for nearly half of all new cases globally, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs said providing support to India, including boosting their vaccine program, is absolutely the right thing to do.
“This is India’s moment of need and America must answer the call to help,” said Congressman Andy Kim urging Biden to now authorize release of AstraZeneca vaccine to India and other allies.
“Alliances are tested in the darkest of days, and we must step up,” he said.
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