In 2017, the White House’s National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense survived the transition intact. Its mission was the same as when the Obama administration established it after the Ebola epidemic of 2014: to do everything possible within the vast powers and resources of the U.S. government to prepare for the next disease outbreak and prevent it from becoming an epidemic or pandemic.One year later, the White House dissolved the office, leaving the country less prepared for pandemics like covid-19.The U.S. government’s slow and inadequate response to the new coronavirus underscores the need for organized, accountable leadership to prepare for and respond to pandemic threats.In a health security crisis, speed is essential. When this new coronavirus emerged, there was no clear White House-led structure to oversee our response, and we lost valuable time. Health systems are struggling to test patients and keep pace with growing caseloads. The specter of rapid community transmission and exponential growth is real and daunting. The job of a White House pandemics office would have been to get ahead: to accelerate the response, empower experts, anticipate failures, and act quickly and transparently to solve problems. It’s impossible to assess the full impact of the 2018 decision to disband the White House office responsible for this work, but it is clear that eliminating the office has contributed to the federal government’s sluggish domestic response. What’s especially concerning about the absence of this office today is that it was originally set up because a previous epidemic made the need for it quite clear.When asked about the slow roll-out of coronavirus tests in the U.S. on March 13, President Trump responded, “I don’t take responsibility at all.” Trump is not just responsible for it. He owns it The Trump Plague is not just his responsibility. It’s his fault.
Last Friday, I looked up a map of my state to find a county that had no reported cases of the Trump Plague. I had been self isolated for three weeks, so I felt like it was safe that I wouldn’t infect anyone, then drove 40 miles to the grocery store in that county. I’m 75 and have type A blood, so if you think that’s overreacting, I hope you’re right, but I doubt it. I got $200 worth of groceries, should last at least until the end of July.
Then, I noticed a pharmacy tech and asked her " Are there any cases reported here yet?" Her answer: “We wouldn’t know, we have some people we’d like to test, but we have to get the tests from either St Louis or Chicago, and they don’t have enough to test their own people.” So, if you think you are in a Trump Plague free zone, that may be just another one of his lies.
kentmarx36 about 4 years ago
Good thinking by the kids and their parents.
Radish the wordsmith about 4 years ago
Everything has been flipped on its head since Trump was elected.
Diane Lee Premium Member about 4 years ago
In 2017, the White House’s National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense survived the transition intact. Its mission was the same as when the Obama administration established it after the Ebola epidemic of 2014: to do everything possible within the vast powers and resources of the U.S. government to prepare for the next disease outbreak and prevent it from becoming an epidemic or pandemic.One year later, the White House dissolved the office, leaving the country less prepared for pandemics like covid-19.The U.S. government’s slow and inadequate response to the new coronavirus underscores the need for organized, accountable leadership to prepare for and respond to pandemic threats.In a health security crisis, speed is essential. When this new coronavirus emerged, there was no clear White House-led structure to oversee our response, and we lost valuable time. Health systems are struggling to test patients and keep pace with growing caseloads. The specter of rapid community transmission and exponential growth is real and daunting. The job of a White House pandemics office would have been to get ahead: to accelerate the response, empower experts, anticipate failures, and act quickly and transparently to solve problems. It’s impossible to assess the full impact of the 2018 decision to disband the White House office responsible for this work, but it is clear that eliminating the office has contributed to the federal government’s sluggish domestic response. What’s especially concerning about the absence of this office today is that it was originally set up because a previous epidemic made the need for it quite clear.When asked about the slow roll-out of coronavirus tests in the U.S. on March 13, President Trump responded, “I don’t take responsibility at all.” Trump is not just responsible for it. He owns it The Trump Plague is not just his responsibility. It’s his fault.
Diane Lee Premium Member about 4 years ago
Last Friday, I looked up a map of my state to find a county that had no reported cases of the Trump Plague. I had been self isolated for three weeks, so I felt like it was safe that I wouldn’t infect anyone, then drove 40 miles to the grocery store in that county. I’m 75 and have type A blood, so if you think that’s overreacting, I hope you’re right, but I doubt it. I got $200 worth of groceries, should last at least until the end of July.
Then, I noticed a pharmacy tech and asked her " Are there any cases reported here yet?" Her answer: “We wouldn’t know, we have some people we’d like to test, but we have to get the tests from either St Louis or Chicago, and they don’t have enough to test their own people.” So, if you think you are in a Trump Plague free zone, that may be just another one of his lies.