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With the outbreak of COVID-19 running rampant in America, the world is getting confirmation what many knew about us: we are in fact ugly Americans.
We continue to have a federal government that is slow in responding to this crisis. At this point last week, there were only a little over 15,000 confirmed cases in the US Today, the CDC reports that there are over 80,000 confirmed cases in America. With the virus spreading like wildfire one would think the world’s most richest country would lead the charge but alas, America is failing.
The President Is Failing Us
President Trump has been a monumental disaster with his response to the outbreak. During his daily “briefings” he’s claimed that the virus is “hurting his re-election chances,” blamed the news media as corrupt, falsely claimed that chloroquine phosphate could cure COVID-19 which led to an Arizona man’s death, called COVID-19 the “Chinese virus” and famously said Americans should be getting back to work by Easter.
With his inability to lead, many Americans either believe that this virus is either not as serious as most medical experts claim, that their rights & freedom are being taken away or believe it’s a hoax.
In Virginia, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr made the decision to reopen the evangelical school by the end of this week. In Illinois, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot was forced to close the Lakefront Trail, The Riverwalk and adjoining parks & beaches due to mass crowds gathering. In Florida, tons of spring breakers convened in Miami earlier this month.
Actress Evangeline Lilly slammed the social distancing and believes her freedoms are being taken away[Update: She has since apologized for her remarks].
The Federal Government Is Failing Us
While the US Senate passed a COVID-19 relief bill to the tune of $2 trillion the bulk of that money won’t reach the average American. Some believe that this is another bail out for corporations. What’s worse is the government won’t enact a national shutdown as other countries have done to combat this disease. This has led to the number of reported cases skyrocketing in the course of a week.
While hospitals are doing everything they can to care for COVID patients, the facts are they simply won’t be able to keep up at this pace. Many hospitals don’t have the necessary tools(N95 masks, respirators, bleach wipes, gloves) to help care for patients. They don’t have the funds to be able to pay their staff and buy the necessary equipment(a big reason for that is the lack of response by the federal government).
The HealthCare Industry Is Failing Us
Wendell Potter is the former VP of Cigna, one of the biggest insurance companies in the world, took to Twitter yesterday to explain why things won’t get better and he pointed the finger directly at the healthcare insurance industry.
So while people are suffering, the insurance industry is salivating over profits & raising premiums on people who are already struggling to afford healthcare benefits.
We Are Failing Us
Finally, Americans are failing each other. This virus is a real thing and while the majority of people who will be infected will have minor or no symptoms at all, the virus is still highly contagious. We have to close ourselves off to each other. We have to practice rigorous hygiene. We have to care for one another.
Instead we have people doing a toilet-licking challenge on social media. One of the inventors of this insipid challenge has apparently tested positive for COVID-19. People have hoarded toilet paper, soap and hand sanitizers for profit. Stores are price gouging by selling limited quantities of these products. People are still having large gatherings in bars and clubs. We are not heeding the advice of medical professionals & some government officials to stay at home. Our healthcare professionals are pleading with people to stay at home & practice social distancing and yet we aren’t listening.
We are arrogant. We are complacent. We are entitled. After all of the information that has been presented we as a country still remain uniformed & fearful. This is supposed to be the greatest country on Earth. This country is supposed to be the shining light on the hill. We are anything but that.
Please be kind to healthcare workers. Be kind to & look out for the elderly. Please stay home if you’re a non-essential worker. Don’t hoard food & other essential products. We are all in this crisis together. For once, let’s actually show that we as Americans can be in fact be great.
Do better, America.
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