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While the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, global leaders have struggled to strike a balance between economic stability and safeguarding human life.

In these challenging times, many countries that have taken the moral high ground are breaking under the pressure the pandemic has put on their economies and public health systems. However, I believe that in times like these the international community must step up and assume its leadership role to combat the coronavirus swiftly.

Unfortunately, some states have taken the “business as usual” approach, even in these extraordinary times. When supply chains are hit with demand and supply shocks, and the possibility of a long-term sustained depression in the global economy is all too real, how should states proceed? What are citizens entitled to? Are human rights much more than what we thought they were?

In this troubling period, uncertainty is the name of the game; every day new information comes out about the coronavirus, making the situation far more challenging to tackle. Nevertheless, governments are tasked to continue their role to guide the public through this sea of uncertainty.

Generally, citizens are entitled to the privileges and immunities of their respective states, yet such a definition offers a gateway to fluid interpretation.

Under the universal declaration for human rights, a state is required to provide certain rights under its rule of law, which include the right to life, liberty, personal security and, most importantly, health.

However, not all states similarly interpret these rights. In the pre-pandemic world, universal health care was an ambition fueled with urgency; unfortunately, we are now seeing the impact our shortcomings have had on our fight against the coronavirus. Health care is the most basic and intersectional right; its mission protects human life in itself and the ability to live with dignity, all of which are the basis of human rights, and without the preservation of human life through such rights, we lose all sense of our humanity. Such points have only been magnified as it becomes clear that states with universal health care have been better equipped to face the pandemic.

Generally, the assumption is that states that lack universal health care systems are either from undeveloped countries or in some cases developing countries. Yet, it is staggering that in many developed countries, such as the US, the coronavirus has taken a toll on the public health care system as well as the economy, and has, therefore, shown the cracks in their public health care system, which heavily relies on providing insurance plans for health care rather than actual health care.

Due to the fast-spreading nature of the coronavirus, many states are being hit, sending shockwaves through their health care systems and economies. However, another issue arises. The inequality and injustice in some health care systems has been the most inhumane and unfortunate part of this pandemic. Some states have risen above such disparities. ��������’s King Salman has ordered coronavirus treatment to be available for anyone in need of medical care, including those who have overstayed their visa. Similarly, in Portugal, the government has announced that it will treat people with pending residency and asylum applications as if they were permanent residents until June 30, giving them equal access to health care under the national system.

In such practices, these states have, in my opinion, practiced the highest form of morality where they honor their responsibility to protect human life regardless of citizenship and legal status; while, unfortunately, in other states social and racial disputes are on the rise amid the chaos caused by the coronavirus.

In times like these states are given the opportunity to revisit their understanding of human rights and the responsibility that comes with protecting them. This pandemic has proved that public health care is pivotal to the preservation of human rights because without accessible health care the lives we seek to protect are no longer viable.

Given the widespread nature of this pandemic, there is a dire need for multilateralism and international cooperation to combat the coronavirus with the minimum amount of damage both to the global economy and to human life.

In such extraordinary times, extraordinary action is necessary. Actions to safeguard human life are paramount and are crucial to the success of all other efforts.

In these desperate times, my thoughts mirror those of Charlie Chaplin: “We think too much and feel too little. More than cleverness we need kindness.”

The world cannot move forward if the individuals who make up our populations and are the fuel of our industries are filled with worry and uncertainty over their well-being and the chances of receiving health care in such desperate times. Therefore, the international community needs to institute a global health care program in times of emergency where states are required to treat anyone, regardless of legal status.