To the editor:

The United States is facing challenge after challenge in fighting COVID 19. Major questions center on stopping the spread quickly. While it is incredibly important to focus on the domestic coronavirus response, it is also incredibly important to center our efforts internationally, particularly to countries that need our help the most.

According to Oxfam, without current action we can expect to see 500 million fall into poverty around the globe, further weakening the global economy. China has already met with leaders of Latin American and Caribbean nations to provide coronavirus aid through massive loans, tying these nations to Chinese agreements for years to come. In a time when there is a massive power vacuum, the US needs to step up and provide more international aid, not less, to maintain our strategic position in international affairs and to help those in need.

Helping those abroad has the power to help Floridians too. Tourism and international trade are the first and third most important industries to Floridians. Heavily impacted by the coronavirus, they provide over 2 million jobs. Spending money abroad is an investment in America; by helping those abroad, we invest in the future success of Florida tourism and international trade.

Julia Canzano

Cape Coral