May 9, 2020
For the past few months, America and the world have had to make changes to how we live like no time in world history since the influenza pandemic of 1918. How will history judge President Trump, Congress, and American Democracy in terms of how each reacted and governed during the time of COVID-19?
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The year 2020 did not start well, with the sudden and shocking death of NBA Legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash. It was a foreboding of things to come. During the month of January, there was news about a serious viral infection originating in China which was first diagnosed in December of 2019. This infection was classified as COVID-19, a respiratory variant of a coronavirus (like SARS and MERS, but clearly different) that many believe originated in Wuhan, China. Symptoms included a lack of appetite and taste, difficulty breathing, sore throat, and fever. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chinese government reported a pneumonia-like disease originating in the city of Wuhan, on December 31, 2019. It has since exploded as a global pandemic, leading to approximately 280,000 deaths, the majority occurring in countries that have been most affected, such as Italy, Spain, Russia, the United Kingdon, and the United States, where 78,000 have died. Drastic measures have been taken by many governments include social or physical distancing, the closing of many restaurants and sports and entertainment venues, in order to limit person-to-person contact, and lower infection rates.
This appears to be one of the great world events that will be part of our shared human history. How did our country deal with a 21st Century crisis, one in which the disease spread so rapidly around the world due to interconnectedness? Since COVID-19 has arrived, it has caused a massive hit to the economy, and how we live our lives. It has put front and center how our democracy functions under intense world events that affect millions of Americans. Has President Trump done enough to deal effectively with the crisis?
Like every change with the country's leadership, the Trump administration was provided with policy recommendations and guidance by the outgoing administration. The new team evaluates their objective and some are given serious attention, and others are ignored. Over the last few years, President Trump's directives have directly and indirectly shaped how this administration dealt with this pandemic. Of importance is the fact that he closed down the Global Health Security and Bio-defense agency within the U.S. government. Within the Homeland Security Department, Mr. Trump fired Tom Bossart, whose job it was to coordinate any pandemic response by the administration, a position that was not replaced. Dr. Luciana Borio, who was the National Security Council's director for medical response and bio-defense preparedness, left her position, and Mr. Trump did not replace her either. Prior to this life-changing time for the country, during budget negotiations, the administration proposed a drastic 19% cut to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a 10% cut to the Public Health Services (PHS), and a 7% cut to the Global Health Services (GHS). These are government agencies and organizations that are responsible for advising the Executive Branch to help control any health crisis in the United States. In hindsight, all of these decisions were not proactive or visionary and highlighted the failures to respond to this pandemic with alacrity.
According to Tim Miller with The Bulwark, in 2017, the incoming administration was given an intelligence briefing book regarding the government's ability to handle bio-warfare and future infectious disease outbreaks. In it were details of how to combat the breakout of a virus that affects the U.S. population, which included early procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) as soon as a threat in a region was identified. Additionally, it was suggested the Trump administration have a large supply of test kits available so that when there are signs of a virus spreading in a location, the population can be swiftly checked to monitor levels in subsequent outbreaks. The administration cut 80% of CDC funding for preventive measures in global hotspots like China, Pakistan, Haiti, Rwanda, and the Congo. In retrospect, these measures were obvious signs that the administration felt an infectious pandemic was not a huge priority. I suspect there was enormous pressure from President Trump's base to "drain the swamp," which included reducing budget obligations for "non-important" government agencies. However, the COVID-19 global pandemic with the enormous number of infected cases and mortality in the United States changed the outlook of how important it is to have a strong agency within government that can provide the President with sound advice and recommendations to handle a health crisis.
Certain political leaders, like Calfornia's Gavin Newsom and Washington state's Jay Inslee, were able to move early and force physical distancing and limitation of the virus spreading through containment, respectively. Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio, however, seemed to act slowly, unable to contain the damage, due to desperately ill patients that initially overwhelmed the healthcare system, where many lives were lost.
Has Congress been a supportive partner to President Trump? I don't see too much bipartisanship between Republicans and Democrats which explains why I think the response to the virus has been slow, inept, and challenging. The media networks choose a side, rather than report on government directives with feedback from expert medical professionals as to the best course for the country to follow. A recent stimulus bill that will award $1,200 to individuals who make less than $75,000 per year, plus $500 for any additional dependents doesn't provide long-term relief. With physical distancing in effect throughout most of the country, many jobs have been lost, furloughed, or outright eliminated. A one-time check is unlikely to provide long-term assistance. With help from the medical community, the government must have large-scale testing in place to direct efforts, resources, and personnel to combat this and future surges of infection, and in re-opening of the economy.
What do the American people think of President Trump and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic? For the most part, it does fall along partisan lines and is similar to his job approval percentage (44%), according to the Pew Research Center. The president does receive his best polling numbers from people who feel he is addressing the economic needs of businesses facing financial issues. I would venture to guess that those "businesses" tend to be larger Fortune 500 companies, rather than small businesses who are in danger of going under and never coming back. President Trump gets lower numbers from the general public for his public briefings, where he is supposed to provide the American public with the best and most accurate information available. Many media outlets do not cover his daily briefings anymore. He should cede the spotlight to those medical professionals who can provide the best information.
How have the American people responded? As usual, with their typical grit, grace, and immense sacrifice. Most Americans have been asked to work from home, schools have been canceled, and citizens have kept their distance from their friends and family. The goal has been to "flatten the curve," whereby cases of COVID-19 does not overwhelm the healthcare industry all at once. Physical distancing is helping, but I don't expect it will be a long-term solution. The country will not be able to tolerate being in self-isolation for prolonged periods.
What should be done now and for the future? I believe President Trump should continue to use the Defense Production Act (1950) to mass-produce PPEs, ventilators, and highly effective masks like N95s, and build stockpiles that can be shipped to any part of the country in a moment's notice, especially for future needs. Even after this is controlled, the country must be prepared to contain future epidemics very quickly. Secondly, the target population of vulnerable Americans, such as the elderly, infirm, those susceptible to COVID-19, must be tested and isolated. Government agencies that are tasked with proactive education, first responses, and sound policy plans for infectious diseases should be given ample federal funds. Vaccines should be developed quickly and assessed for protection, and not dependent on the election cycle timetable. Pushing unproven drugs like Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin by the President and conservative media should not pre-empt the truly efficacious therapy. In an age when political cycles tend to be short and winning the day in the media wars in a presidential election year, positive or negative results can have an enormous influence.
American families have been going through a lot of emotions these past few months. Most are worried about putting food on the table for their families, and lengthy periods without income is not tenable. Eventually, as people lose faith they may resort to civil unrest. Guns sales have already skyrocketed, and fears of violence should include concerns about increases in suicides associated with economic distress. The Trump administration must support and enhance the work with local cities and state governments to solve crises. If the economy craters, the government will not only have a pandemic but transition from a recession to another Great Depression.
How the Trump administration navigates this pivotal time in world history while working with a divided Congress and getting the American people to still have faith in their government will be the key to how history views him. Even though the Democratic party is unlikely to give him any support, the President must harness the power of the government to work with state leaders and try to improve the levels of those affected by the virus. Half the country wants to return to their normal lives, while many others want to remain in self-quarantine. The Trump administration must bring about the testing of Americans, identify those with antibodies, and try to find a vaccine for protection against a surge as well as new infections. The longer it takes to find a way to test more Americans, the level of anger Americans have to each other will get worse, and his approval amongst Americans will plummet. This crisis provides a powerful test to see if President Trump can both heal the country, and stave off a national medical and economic crisis. If he can do this, I doubt anyone can remove him from his time in history. If he fails, he will not recover and his moment in history will vanish.
This appears to be one of the great world events that will be part of our shared human history. How did our country deal with a 21st Century crisis, one in which the disease spread so rapidly around the world due to interconnectedness? Since COVID-19 has arrived, it has caused a massive hit to the economy, and how we live our lives. It has put front and center how our democracy functions under intense world events that affect millions of Americans. Has President Trump done enough to deal effectively with the crisis?
Like every change with the country's leadership, the Trump administration was provided with policy recommendations and guidance by the outgoing administration. The new team evaluates their objective and some are given serious attention, and others are ignored. Over the last few years, President Trump's directives have directly and indirectly shaped how this administration dealt with this pandemic. Of importance is the fact that he closed down the Global Health Security and Bio-defense agency within the U.S. government. Within the Homeland Security Department, Mr. Trump fired Tom Bossart, whose job it was to coordinate any pandemic response by the administration, a position that was not replaced. Dr. Luciana Borio, who was the National Security Council's director for medical response and bio-defense preparedness, left her position, and Mr. Trump did not replace her either. Prior to this life-changing time for the country, during budget negotiations, the administration proposed a drastic 19% cut to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a 10% cut to the Public Health Services (PHS), and a 7% cut to the Global Health Services (GHS). These are government agencies and organizations that are responsible for advising the Executive Branch to help control any health crisis in the United States. In hindsight, all of these decisions were not proactive or visionary and highlighted the failures to respond to this pandemic with alacrity.
According to Tim Miller with The Bulwark, in 2017, the incoming administration was given an intelligence briefing book regarding the government's ability to handle bio-warfare and future infectious disease outbreaks. In it were details of how to combat the breakout of a virus that affects the U.S. population, which included early procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) as soon as a threat in a region was identified. Additionally, it was suggested the Trump administration have a large supply of test kits available so that when there are signs of a virus spreading in a location, the population can be swiftly checked to monitor levels in subsequent outbreaks. The administration cut 80% of CDC funding for preventive measures in global hotspots like China, Pakistan, Haiti, Rwanda, and the Congo. In retrospect, these measures were obvious signs that the administration felt an infectious pandemic was not a huge priority. I suspect there was enormous pressure from President Trump's base to "drain the swamp," which included reducing budget obligations for "non-important" government agencies. However, the COVID-19 global pandemic with the enormous number of infected cases and mortality in the United States changed the outlook of how important it is to have a strong agency within government that can provide the President with sound advice and recommendations to handle a health crisis.
Certain political leaders, like Calfornia's Gavin Newsom and Washington state's Jay Inslee, were able to move early and force physical distancing and limitation of the virus spreading through containment, respectively. Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio, however, seemed to act slowly, unable to contain the damage, due to desperately ill patients that initially overwhelmed the healthcare system, where many lives were lost.
Has Congress been a supportive partner to President Trump? I don't see too much bipartisanship between Republicans and Democrats which explains why I think the response to the virus has been slow, inept, and challenging. The media networks choose a side, rather than report on government directives with feedback from expert medical professionals as to the best course for the country to follow. A recent stimulus bill that will award $1,200 to individuals who make less than $75,000 per year, plus $500 for any additional dependents doesn't provide long-term relief. With physical distancing in effect throughout most of the country, many jobs have been lost, furloughed, or outright eliminated. A one-time check is unlikely to provide long-term assistance. With help from the medical community, the government must have large-scale testing in place to direct efforts, resources, and personnel to combat this and future surges of infection, and in re-opening of the economy.
What do the American people think of President Trump and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic? For the most part, it does fall along partisan lines and is similar to his job approval percentage (44%), according to the Pew Research Center. The president does receive his best polling numbers from people who feel he is addressing the economic needs of businesses facing financial issues. I would venture to guess that those "businesses" tend to be larger Fortune 500 companies, rather than small businesses who are in danger of going under and never coming back. President Trump gets lower numbers from the general public for his public briefings, where he is supposed to provide the American public with the best and most accurate information available. Many media outlets do not cover his daily briefings anymore. He should cede the spotlight to those medical professionals who can provide the best information.
How have the American people responded? As usual, with their typical grit, grace, and immense sacrifice. Most Americans have been asked to work from home, schools have been canceled, and citizens have kept their distance from their friends and family. The goal has been to "flatten the curve," whereby cases of COVID-19 does not overwhelm the healthcare industry all at once. Physical distancing is helping, but I don't expect it will be a long-term solution. The country will not be able to tolerate being in self-isolation for prolonged periods.
What should be done now and for the future? I believe President Trump should continue to use the Defense Production Act (1950) to mass-produce PPEs, ventilators, and highly effective masks like N95s, and build stockpiles that can be shipped to any part of the country in a moment's notice, especially for future needs. Even after this is controlled, the country must be prepared to contain future epidemics very quickly. Secondly, the target population of vulnerable Americans, such as the elderly, infirm, those susceptible to COVID-19, must be tested and isolated. Government agencies that are tasked with proactive education, first responses, and sound policy plans for infectious diseases should be given ample federal funds. Vaccines should be developed quickly and assessed for protection, and not dependent on the election cycle timetable. Pushing unproven drugs like Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin by the President and conservative media should not pre-empt the truly efficacious therapy. In an age when political cycles tend to be short and winning the day in the media wars in a presidential election year, positive or negative results can have an enormous influence.
How the Trump administration navigates this pivotal time in world history while working with a divided Congress and getting the American people to still have faith in their government will be the key to how history views him. Even though the Democratic party is unlikely to give him any support, the President must harness the power of the government to work with state leaders and try to improve the levels of those affected by the virus. Half the country wants to return to their normal lives, while many others want to remain in self-quarantine. The Trump administration must bring about the testing of Americans, identify those with antibodies, and try to find a vaccine for protection against a surge as well as new infections. The longer it takes to find a way to test more Americans, the level of anger Americans have to each other will get worse, and his approval amongst Americans will plummet. This crisis provides a powerful test to see if President Trump can both heal the country, and stave off a national medical and economic crisis. If he can do this, I doubt anyone can remove him from his time in history. If he fails, he will not recover and his moment in history will vanish.
This is as balanced a view of President Trump's handling of this pandemic as we have read so far. We shall see what the American citizens view and judge his Presidency when the voting is completed in November 2020.
ReplyDeleteThis could be my favorite blog of yours! Keep it up! This is well thought out and configured. :)
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