“Do you want to end up losing your life savings so that the old person you don’t know can live?…By focusing on the economy, a lot of people are going to get sick. And, if we focus on public health, a lot of people are going to lose their jobs. I know which way it’s going to end, but you can’t say it. You sound insensitive.”
New York based billionaire quoted in Bloomberg Business Week, 7-20-20
A friend running a food pantry in the deep Ozarks explains that no one down her way gets COVID tests. The area lacks Walgreens or CVS or other national chains offering tests, as well as a local hospital. Plus, a positive test – even with no symptoms – means no work, no income. No one has paid sick leave.
Rural Missouri and other remote spots of America being such great places to hide, expect this novel coronavirus to hunker down awaiting opportunities to infect ever more people.
So, let’s begin talking about Year 2 of the great pandemic.
Assume that Joe Biden lives in the White House and Nicole Galloway sits in the governor’s chair by the end of January. Afterall, his accidency Mike Parson tied both legs to Donald Trump and even a new pact with the devil can’t extend the Orange One’s reign. A virus stands ready to accomplish what impeachment failed to do.
Still, new leadership alone can’t overcome 21st Century values…
Money before people. As that billionaire notes, it sounds insensitive but the business of America is business. They that own the purse now accept prolonged, predictable death. The price of eradicating COVID 19 is too high. Just keep it in check.
(Had America followed that approach in the 1950’s, well, new polio cases would still be a big thing.)
Never trust government. Wearing a mask isn’t American, requiring masks smacks of Nazism. Yes, that came up in Branson at a public meeting. [ https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article244274647.html ] No matter what state or federal authorities enact, many won’t comply.
Never trust science. Vaccines are more of a threat than what they prevent. We firmly believe the cause of the epidemic of autism is due to a vaccine injury and/or other environmental exposures — pesticides also. But what on this earth we all kind of share the most is vaccines. Jenny McCarthy [ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/jenny-mccarthy-were-not-an-anti-vaccine-movement-were-pro-safe-vaccine/ ] Being a former Playmate Of The Year now qualifies one as a health expert. (At least she doesn’t advocate drinking bleach.)
As a result, new leadership faces a steep uphill push to control and, we hope, eradicate COVID 19.
What should they do?
Here are some suggestions…
- Enhance unemployment pay, and, allow unemployment funds to cover quarantine or medical recovery. A national standard of $600 a week – think $15 an hour – would provide peace of mind and protection for millions of workers at a reasonable split cost to employers and taxpayers.
- National standards for pandemic response. Not easily ignored suggestions but laws which require specific action.
- In Missouri, power to the state Department of Health to respond to health emergencies with technical expertise, material support and clear authority to take charge. How many nursing home residents died after the state knew of shortcomings?
You get the idea. Remember, the needs of the few become the needs of the many. Fighting COVID 19 and future health threats requires action, not just hope and whimsy. And, the battle takes years.
Glenn