Italy has surpassed China as the country with the highest death toll from COVID-19, and has become the epicenter of the pandemic.

The US expert Dennis Etler shared his view with Eurasia Diary about the aid to Italy by Russia, China and Cuba to tackle coronavirus. He appreciated moves done by three countries amid coronavirus pandemic.  

“The only countries that have come to Italy's aid in its hour of need are China, Russia and Cuba. These great nations with a historic legacy of socialism and internationalism jumped to the fore to lend a helping hand while the rest of the developed world sat on its hands and complained that the Italian people are too old and infirm to withstand the pandemic”- American expert noted.

“All three have rushed to aid Italy, expending resources they could use at home – expert added.

Dennis Etler considers that the leaders of the Western nations have no regard for their senior citizens. According to him, the elders are big burden on the shoulders of western governments.

“Leaders in the west wish elders would go away as they are too serious societal burden. While the wealthy can support their elders, the rest of the population struggle to give them adequate care. Better to have them die in order to relieve the state of its social obligations” – Dennis said.

The view of the expert is that China, Russia and Cuba devote many resources to sustain their elders and will sacrifice to do so. In contrary to three countries, the West allows the abandonment of their seniors.

American expert underscored that leaving Italy alone to struggle with coronavirus is miserable situation in the western world.

“The US and EU have expressed no desire to lend a helping hand and are more concerned with their own welfare than that of Italy, letting her hang swaying in the wind. Italy is left bereft of support, an outcast left to fend for itself,” – expert stressed.

At the end, Dennis Etler noted that the US become envious of Russia, China and Cuba’s aid to Italy. Washington cannot accept it.

“China, Russia and Cuba have stepped into the breach and have given life supporting aid. The US response is only to criticize their efforts and warn Italy and others not to accept their help. The US will not give Italy any aid, even  worse. Washington only attempts to sabotage the efforts of those who do,” expert Dennis said.

Dennis Etler is an expert on Chinese Studies. Mr Etler holds a doctorate in anthropology from the University of California, Berkley. He conducted archaeological and anthropological research in China throughout the 1980s and 1990s and taught at the college and university level for over 35 years.