Cuba setting standard for virus response

As usual, Dr. Bonnie Henry used words of compassion and intelligence in her comments about modelling in this age of COVID-19. When she spoke of “possibilities compared to other places in the world,” I thought of Cuba.

Statistics (from worldometers.info/coronavirus) are showing: as of April 25, deaths in countries as a percentage of population: Canada ranks sixth, the U.S. ranks 10th, Cuba ranks second.

As to deaths per million of population worldwide, Canada was at 61, the U.S. was at 150, Cuba was at five.

I would like to share some of the actions Cuba has taken against the spread of COVID-19. Students looking to become doctors in their third, fourth and fifth years are sent by the university into the communities knocking on doors to do “clinical surveys” to determine possible infections of COVID-19 virus. Any possible cases are sent to hospital or immediate isolation.

Citizens are following rules of precaution such as wearing masks and washing hands and isolating, as in Canada.

Even though the unreasonable blockade by the U.S. against Cuba persists, medical research facilities have developed drugs that seem to be helping in cases all over the world where the Cuban government sends doctors to help cure COVID-19 patients.

My hope is that Canada will work in co-operation with countries such as Cuba who offer aid and are making advances toward lessening the life of COVID-19.

Ruth Caspell Nanaimo