A group formed to determine preparedness for future pandemics declared in 2019 that the United States was the nation best prepared for any viral pandemic. Why, then, did our nation fail so miserably?
Under any measurement, our response has been abysmal. With less than 5% of Earth’s population this, the most medically advanced country in the world, has suffered over 20% of the COVID-19 deaths. Despite the president’s claims to the contrary, we have not tested more people than any other nation. Furthermore, we are far behind most nations in contact tracing, deemed by the medical and scientific community as a necessary step in halting the spread of the virus.
Even using President Donald Trump’s own scale of measurement, we have failed miserably. After declaring the U.S. would see only a handful of deaths, the president declared if we kept the death toll under 100,000 deaths, we will have done a “great job.” We have, as I pen these words, already surpassed 202,000.
There is a twofold answer to why we have failed so miserably in handling this pandemic. First is a lack of leadership, but the second factor falls upon the shoulders of the American people.
In times of peril the nation looks to its leaders for reassurance and guidance. Trump reassured us with lies and false promises, downplaying the pandemic, even as we now know, he was aware of the dangers of COVID-19. Even if you approve of that course of action, you must remind yourself exactly what were the directions he gave the nation? Ignoring the advice of experts, he downplayed the use of masks for months, even belittling those who used them. Rather than promote social distancing, he held large rallies in closed facilities. Rather than shut the nation down long enough to control COVID-19, he belittled the shutdown and demanded an early reopening of economic and social activities, a step we know has aggravated the situation.
Medical studies worldwide have claimed that Mr. Trump’s failures to act according to scientific guidelines is responsible for thousands of deaths. One concluded up up to 80% of America’s COVID-19 deaths. Let’s assume that analysis was off by half. That would still mean that the lack of presidential leadership accounts for nearly 81,000 American deaths.
But placing the entire onus of failure on the president would be to overlook the role played by millions of American citizens. Far too many Americans followed Trump’s lead. Far too many Americans put politics before nation, believing the Trump’s supporters’ contention the pandemic was overblown, and that the scientific community’s efforts were an attempt to defeat Trump in November. Far too many Americans bought into the foolish notion that COVID-19 was no worse than the flu. Far too many Americans, refused to listen to medical experts, believing Donald Trump knew better than anyone else. Far too many Americans put themselves above the safety and welfare of fellow citizens. Far too many Americans refused to bow to the inconvenience of wearing masks and social distancing. Instead, they partied on in masses, thumbing their noses at those who followed medical advice.
While it is too late to turn back the clock, we can learn from our grievous mistakes. We can better prepare our nation for future pandemics. We can replace failed leaders and replace a blind political loyalty with scientifically proven knowledge. That is how we return this nation to American exceptionalism.
Michael Adkins formerly was chairman of the Hancock County Democratic Party.Send comments to [email protected].
