Everyone is awful, well almost everyone

Published 03-12-2020

The two extremes being played out on the national stage regarding the issues surrounding COVID-19 have me very frustrated, and the noise it is generating is causing confusion and panic when concern and discussion of proactive measures should be occurring.

Local governments, including our schools are our largest line of defense against this virus, which is more serious than other viruses like the flu because there is no built in immunity among our population, or vaccine available to those with already weakened immune systems. It is true that most people that do catch this will only have a mild case, approximately 80% of those that develop symptoms. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t serious causes for concern within this health crisis.

The true test of the government’s strategy, to flatten the spread of the virus (the amount of time it takes the virus to spread throughout the community) won’t be seen for a few more weeks, if the virus behaves in a similar fashion as it has in Italy. For 20% of those that contract the virus hospital care will be necessary, including ICU stays, ventilation and more. These are not unlimited resources hospitals can just snap to reality when needed. The CDC response has been, it’s coming, we know it’s coming, we just want to try to slow it down a little so everyone isn’t overwhelmed at once.

The jury’s still out if this will work. But the delay in getting out testing supplies is not helping efforts. Whether this was hampered by China hiding information about the virus, or bureaucratic mismanagement doesn’t really matter at this point.

Generally, we are never prepared enough, if the recent runs on toilet paper, bleach and hand sanitizer were anything to go by. Panic runs aren’t helpful, and can do more harm in the long run. But I understand the rationale behind it. People want to feel like they have a semblance of control over what they can’t control. That’s basic human nature, and a rational human response.

But that’s also what happens when the national media treats every crisis like end times coupled with a severe case of Trump derangement, and the other side trying to calm the populace saying “It’s just the flu.” Since when do whole countries shut down over the flu? It’s a generality that isn’t helpful when society has zero immunity to a new disease, and the internet to see events around the world.

I’m not sure if the early measures taken by President Trump were enough, and while I understand the need for the President to manage the economic health of our nation as well as the physical health of our society, I have worries that while we will be mostly fine, there will be many tragic stories in the aftermath.

Government response to pandemic rationing cares nothing about the individual... your mom or dad, your grandparent. The CDC cares about saving the most people that they can. Not necessarily those that are the worst. And that’s a rational response for government. When the initial stages aren’t managed appropriately, infections spike, hospitals are overwhelmed, healthcare workers become sick and needing quarantine, and a spiral ensues that has very bad ramifications. Not to mention places like dormitories and hotels, or prisons, with shared ventilation, that can see community spread happen instantaneously.

There are many concerns that are rational. Instead the media is focusing on all the wrong things, gleefully wish casting catastrophe on top of catastrophe on fellow citizens to cause political harm to the president.

I am encouraged by the administration working on a package to help ensure those that have to quarantine will have financial help if it is needed. This funding would be on top of the money already allotted to states to help combat the virus. Continuing work with affected industries in America, including tourism, health insurance and medical adjacent fields is allowing for solutions like insurance companies waiving co-pays on COVID testing that will be extremely beneficial to fighting the virus nationwide.

It’s much easier for a professional on salary to work from home, telecommuting when necessary. Hourly employees, usually dependent on their paycheck to pay bills will need a financial bridge to encourage not returning to work early. A payroll tax holiday for employers is on the table as well, to encourage businesses to make the right decisions regarding their employees and communities. Closing colleges, offering digital options for employees and students are all good measures that can help.

Prudence, that old virtue, looks to be making a comeback in modern times though. Using good old fashioned common sense and planning for a rainy day are most of the preparation necessary for the general population.

I’m taking extra precautions... because I have a history of pneumonia. Wiping down carts at the store, washing hands often after touching common items, having the kids wash their hands as soon as they get home from school and not going to places where I am in close contact with other people for long periods of time. Basically my natural tendency to be a hermit is greatly rewarded. But I already do a lot of those things, because a cold can turn positively nasty when it gets to my house, as it did last year. Being down with pneumonia for almost two months was definitely not one of my favorite memories of our time in Tennessee.

I was also glad to see Senator Marco Rubio pushing for common sense legislation that would help jumpstart critical medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing back to America. A simple “Buy American” plan that forces the VA and government agencies to use American manufacturing when purchasing critical supplies necessary to the security and medical wellbeing of Americans. That push alone would create enough of a demand to make opening the factories necessary to do this work financially viable.

Lowest cost of manufacturing and rising profit margins should not continue to be the only variables when making these kinds of decisions, both in business and in politics. Social distancing can be for more than virus prevention, after all. Maybe giving it the old college try in foreign policy, at least for the foreseeable future while we get our own affairs in order would be worthwhile.

Necessary daily drugs as well as medical devices and safety equipment should not be almost completely sourced from one area or country. This can be said across the board for many types of manufacturing. The work stoppage in two of China’s biggest industrial hubs should be an eye opener for our leaders. Recent threats by China’s Communist Party to cut off drug and medical equipment exports should be a flashing siren that our China policy has run it’s course and a new tack is necessary.

We are experiencing the consequences of our manufacturing policy over the last fifty years, and it is just the beginning.

While actions now will not help the current crisis, we would only be strengthened the next time one occurs. And that would make all of us better off.