Letters to the Editor:

COVID-19 and another pandemic

COVID-19 spreads quickly, is impacting entire work places, and will soon place immense stress on hospitals. We are spiralling into a global recession. So far approximately 6,000 people have died around the world. This is terrible and frightening. 
Some may wonder why Africans don’t seem to be panicking like those in western countries. It is likely because the life expectancy in developing countries is so much lower than our own, and they face epidemics all the time: Ebola, cholera, dengue, malaria, yellow fever, and so on. And then there is tuberculosis (TB), also a pandemic because it is found in every country in the world, including Canada’s north. TB has been around for more than 9,000 years and is the leading infectious disease killer in the world, but especially in populous and poorer nations. It is a preventable disease.
Every single day, over 4,000 people die from TB! Let us remember this when the COVID-19 crisis is over. Let us remember how frightened we are now and be determined to help others around the world to avoid epidemics. Canada needs to stay committed to stopping TB.
Sherry Moran, Ottawa