— from David Kobrin —
This dilemma of our needing to choose between the economic health of those in our community, and the physical health of those in our community, is a result, I believe, of the failure of our nation at the national level. We can look at diverse other nations around the world to see success stories, and compare them to our failure, and thus the dilemma we know face.
For example, Iceland, South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam all chose quickly to fight covid 19 with testing, extensive tracing, and social distancing. Those nations have now so minimized the spread of the virus that it is the obvious decision to reopen businesses and public life (with some prudent limits).
In the US by contrast our leaders at the highest level denied the reality, and then refused to organize a national and effective response. The president used his crisis powers to keep meat processing plants open — rather than to require that our abundant industrial might be directed toward producing tests and protective equipment.
That information, of course, does not resolve our current dilemma. It does tell who is responsible for the difficult decisions we now face. And, even more, who still retains the ability to change our situation so that we no longer need to define the dilemma as a choice between two strongly positive community needs.
Each of the countries mentioned is comparable to one of our states. Remember, we are a country of “United” states; each individual and accountable to it’s residents. The US Government has very limited authority and control of what happens in the states – per the constitution. That’s why there has been such a diverse reaction to the pandemic from the individual states. It is their (the states) responsibility to take the appropriate actions and the results have been quite evident of which states have failed.
Ironically, the greatness (ouch!) of the United States is that the US Government in a crisis affecting the several states has extensive authority and control of what happens in the states – per the constitution.
Our health dilemma stems from the very nature of our society, Money above all else. It speaks volumes when operating budgets for hospitals are dependent on a steady stream of cancer patients to keep the lights on. Profit over people, same old story. You want a malleable labor force, keep ‘em sick, in debt, poorly educated and obsessed with whatever the Kardashians are doing…
It is so sad that David is exactly right! We need some direction and strength from the top and sadly we won’t get it until after the election….