An Ongoing Series
Who could forget the scene from Jaws when Mrs. Kintner, whose boy had been killed by the shark, slapped Chief Brody:
"I just found out that a girl was killed here … and you knew it! You knew there was a shark out there! You knew it was dangerous! But you let people go swimming anyway! But still my boy is dead now. And there's nothing you can do about it."
Chief Brody ignored the problem, with disastrous results.
The last installment discussed how government incompetence allowed COVID-19 (We, too, have a "shark" problem, but rather than doing everything to combat that threat, we continue feeding the predator known as coronavirus.C19) to spread. But schools, hospitals and people have joined the fray. The point of illustrating incompetence is to learn from mistakes, so that we are better prepared next time. And let's be clear: that "next time" is both today, and very possibly this fall, should C19 go dormant this summer.
Some may take offense at my tone, preferring it to be more genteel. Not going to happen. I don't care if people like me, since a commentator shouldn't have friends. Popularity isn't my aphrodisiac; taking people to task, and changing hearts, minds, and behavior, is. And if a global pandemic with an unknown virus isn't enough to act responsibly, maybe shaming irresponsible people will.
The following situations promoted the spread:
Cruise Ship: After the corona-stricken Princess cruise ship docked, where over half of those tested were C19-positive, what did the top brass from the U.S. government, including on-site "experts" from the CDC and NIH, do? In front of the entire world, they herded thousands of passengers together, funneling them down the gangway and into processing tents, with everyone standing a foot apart! How can officials be in full protective gear, but order passengers with no protection to violate the CDC's six-foot separation rule?
Officials should be fired, but the Trump administration is also responsible. No, the president didn't make that idiotic decision, but those agencies are under his command, and the buck stops with him. Passengers are also to blame, as many blindly followed orders, without invoking common sense or gut instinct. For days, they had maintained personal distancing, yet jettisoned that rule when they needed it most. Being an infectious disease doctor or a Ph.D. in Public Health aren't automatic qualifications for making correct decisions.
Beaches Still Open: Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' impotence in not closing the beaches has him being shamed and outmaneuvered by mayors across the state who are doing it themselves. This is a microcosm of the nation, as President Trump has frequently been beaten to the punch by governors doing the right thing. If Republicans lose because of their paralysis to act, they will have only themselves to blame.
Millennials and Generation Z: Criticism of millennials for entitlement and lack of empathy was validated when thousands ignored warnings to stay home, and instead congregated on beaches. Most may be unscathed if they contract C19, but they will, with certainty, kill people when they return home and transmit it. And know what we'll see? Little true remorse, but plenty of social media postings about what they wore to funerals, and countless "thoughts and prayers" emojis to garner self-validating "likes."
Doctors: Numerous doctors became infected after recently attending crowded medical conferences, including one in Times Square, that discussed ways to stop the spread of coronavirus! So not only did they infect each other, but many got on crowded airplanes, flew all over the country, and saw patients. And these are the experts?
Nursing Homes: Washington State nursing homes were America's original epicenter. The authorities' answer was to limit visits to one outside person, per day — as if corona only strikes after a resident's first visitor. It's petrifying that such people have oversight over the care of our most fragile citizens.
Celebrities: After testing positive, English actor Idris Elba was featured on national television while in quarantine. Yet right next to him was his wife, who was potentially uninfected. But too few called Elba out on his terrible example since, if someone is positive, he needs to isolate! Yet in a remarkable display of irresponsibility, Elba defended his action.
Oklahoma Guv: Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt posted a photo of himself eating at a crowded restaurant with his very young children. Being foolish is one thing, but endangering kids, who can also be super-spreaders, is beyond inexcusable.
Hospitals: Most healthcare systems didn't stock up on protective gear, and now courageous nurses and doctors are ill-equipped. Many failed to lock up what gear they did have, resulting in widespread theft. And some greedy physicians are still performing elective surgeries.
How long will we ignore our killer shark?
Chris Freind is an independent columnist, television commentator, and investigative reporter who operates his own news bureau, Freindly Fire Zone Media. Read more reports from Chris Freind — Click Here Now.
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