An estimated 28.3 million people in India are currently infected with the COVID-19 virus, while the death toll is more than 335,000, according to the nation’s health ministry. To add to the problem, a number of variants of the virus are now making their way through the population.

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is urging people in the United States and other countries to stay the course as more are vaccinated. Nelson says those holding back need to think about the impact beyond their neighborhoods and communities.