<respectfully snipped>
Interesting. Why would mortality rates be lower in the US? The country used a faulty test until February and then had no capacity to produce and distribute test kits. Official responses across the country cover the spectrum of panic to overblown hype.
True, once health care systems are overwhelmed, devastation will start. The US does not seem to have the organizational structure to follow the Chinese lead and confine the problem. If there are no hospital beds, and people of all ages are dying because there is no health care, maybe it will be real. Granted, this is absurdly dystopian, but maybe it happens.
I’m really hoping that’s not the case, but, unfortunately, I‘ve not seen any plans or actions so far to rule that possibility out.
I’ve really been disappointed in the US response so far. It appears that repeated warnings were ignored, and short of arrogance, I can’t understand why the CDC has been so adamant that their test kits were the only ones to be used. There may be more to the story that we’re not aware of, but from where I stand, it appears the CDC shot themselves in the foot over pride. A window of opportunity has been missed that can’t be recovered - we won’t get a “re-do” - there’s no reset button...
I will say that
I still have faith that the US has the CAPABILITY to turn things around in a big hurry, if they get focused and actually give appropriate weight to the severity of the situation at hand. Historically speaking, this isn’t the first time the US has been caught off guard. The biggest difference is that this time there were warning alarms that were CHOSEN to be ignored. Denial?? I don’t know.... can’t explain it... no excuse for it....
The clock is ticking however, and time is of the utmost importance. I truly hope our government will respond with a sense of redemption.
I think the recent purchase of the hotel that’s to be converted for isolation was the first really good step taken in response (think it was Washington?) - but even that was reactionary.
IMO, for what it’s worth, the US should continue the fight for containment. I don’t think containment is realistic, but that fight needs to continue in order to buy the time needed to put appropriate response measures in place. Get every city, every town, prepared to receive the wave.
WE CAN NOT MISS ANY ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MITIGATE THE OUTCOME AND TO BUY EVERY SECOND OF TIME THAT WE CAN!!!
The world needs to approach this virus as though we are at war. We need not only medical response plans in place, but we need solid battle plans.
@Amonet summed it up best for me with one word - we need BALANCE !!
We need to respond with equal measure of offense and defense. It will require a simultaneous balance of both to prevail.
“Balance” is going to be needed every step of the way, and at every level. From the frontline’s war against this virus, all the way down to finding balance within ourselves.
We all need to stay vigilant, but we need to approach the issue with caution and compassion rather than panic and fear.
I truly believe history will judge our level of victory or defect based on the level of unity and compassion with which we respond.
*** steps down from soap box, sprays soap box with Lysol, walks to bathroom to thoroughly wash hands and to take final inventory of TP stock on hand... ***
moo...
