------ "C" stands for children

 

Worldwide, 1.6 billion children are out of school. Masks and test kits are a luxury and social distancing is not feasible. Schools may be the only place to get a nutritious meal, health interventions like vaccinations, refuge from domestic violence, and perhaps somewhere to feel like a kid. 

The ‘C’ in “CERB” stands for children. Even if schools were open, many children would be working to supplement their family’s income. The increase in daughters sold as child brides is alarming.  Many children will never go back to school once they reopen, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Vaccines will only be effective if everyone gets them. This is why in the upcoming Speech from Throne the government should announce that 1% of all domestic spending to combat COVID-19 be allocated to developing countries’ efforts. This would not be charity, but a way for all of us to get back to a state of normalcy.

Stephen St. Denis

Ottawa