Drastic times, drastic measures

Dear Editor,

Over the last several decades the world has witnessed a spate of new health threats in the format of SARS, HIV, Ebola, Bird flu, Swine flu. All of these in the form of highly communicable diseases which at one time have threatened the health of the planet. Now we are experiencing another such virulent disease in COVID-19 which is currently attacking countries around the world.

In addition to the public health implications, it also reveals the diminished response capability of our government at all levels of society and highlights the many economic policy failures that have left ou...