How Many MORE Must Die?
Almost certainty, 2020 will be considered, one of the most challenging, difficult ones, in recent memory, etc! The combination of the economic/ financial stresses, throughout the world, the rhetoric/ vitriol, articulated by President Trump, and the horrific pandemic, has created an atmosphere, of fear, desperation, and unrest, as has rarely been witnessed. For someone like Donald Trump, who seems to thrive on holding political rallies, doing so, during this period, has had the impact, of further dividing/ polarizing this nation. Recently, tapes were released, indicating this President, realized, as early as February, how dangerous, challenging, and, potentially, deadly, this virus was, but, it seems, he decided to withhold that from most Americans. While he claims, he did so, because he didn’t want to create panic, his opponents seem to feel, this is somewhat, disingenuous, and his primary motivation, was his personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self – interest. After all, for quite, sometime, he called it a hoax, minimized the danger, set an example (by not wearing a mask, in public) which encouraged his core supporters, to assume social responsibility, and seemed to avoid listening to public health experts. We have, already, had over 190, 000 Americans die, from this horrific pandemic, and the world has over 800, 000 deaths. Although, we have, under 5% of the world’s population, the United States has experienced over 20% of the fatalities. How many MORE must die, because of his approach? With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means, and represents, and why, we must demand better.
1. Make mark; meaningful; metrics: Metrics matter, science matters, and data counts, and Trump’s denials, and proclamations, are often, less than meaningful, if we wish, to halt the acceleration of this disease! We must demand, any approach, is based on the science, if we hope, for it, to make the mark, for the better!
2. Options; opportunities; organized: Every option and opportunity, must be considered, in an organized manner, if we hope, to flatten – the – curve! Instead of withholding, pertinent, relevant information, and denying science, doesn’t achieve, what’s necessary, to get things achieve. When Trump created false narratives, artificial deadlines (for reopening schools, and economies), and subscribing to unproven theories, and approaches, it doesn’t help!
3. Relevant; reliable; responsive/ responsible; reasoning/ rationale: When this President says, he did, what he did, back at the onset of the pandemic, because he never wants to panic the citizens, it goes – against, his statements, made on other subjects, including immigrants, protestors, etc. Now, more than ever, we need relevant, reliable information, placing people and intelligent policy, ahead of politics, etc! His actions, were not only, unresponsive, in a timely manner, they were largely responsible, for the ghastly results! Many find his reasoning, confusing, and his rationale, at – best, misleading!
4. Efforts; excellence; endurance; enrich: If the efforts were on the finest, public health – oriented, excellence, it would have enriched, and improved, our overall results, and response! It often, seems, President Trump, tires, of, focusing on details, and lacks the endurance, and concentration, to maintain the necessary politics, to save lives, and reduce infections!
How many MORE must die, as a result of this horrific pandemic? Let’s focus on science, data, and public health, and listen to the experts, instead of the, so – called, stable genius!