Human beings in India are dying because they don’t have the access to vaccines that we have. In fact, India recently set a COVID-19 infection record after their rates rose for three days in a row.

It sickens me to see how little the U.S. cares for fellow humans, putting in place vaccine patents and export bans on vaccine components. It’s as though my government wants people to die.

An official from the State Department has said, “It’s in the interests of the rest of the world to see Americans vaccinated.” With all due respect, I don’t think the rest of the world cares that Americans are vaccinated if they don’t even have a vaccine. Besides, we are being vaccinated, so that concern is moot.

The official went on to say that Secretary Blinken has repeatedly made the point that “as long as this virus is spreading anywhere, it is a threat to people everywhere.” I feel, considering the spread of the virus in India, that ensuring India receives what they need to vaccinate their people would be of great interest to the US. Or have I misunderstood Secretary Blinken’s definition of “everywhere”?

Maine’s congressional delegation need to put pressure on President Biden to waive the vaccine patents and remove the export bans on vaccine components. Human lives are at stake as long as we allow this virus to spread.

Kristen Otenti

Waterville