Well, what did you think would happen? No, not if you elected the idiot, though that was pretty much foreseen also. What did you think would happen if you had a highly infectious virus running rampant through a virgin population and you decided to remove the only interventions that had been shown to be effective and replace them with . . . NOTHING? Right – the virus would run wild, even among people who don’t believe it is real. Even among people wearing MAGA hats! For God’s sakes, does this virus have no respect for ignorance and stupidity? Why is Covid not just decimating the pointy-headed elitist liberals who seem to believe in it? What is this world coming to when the myopic governor of Texas has to finally yield to reality and order the population to wear masks? What’s next, allowing minority women to have control over their own bodies? Where will it stop?

I hope you are angry. If you aren’t angry about the way this country has screwed up the response to this virus, from January to the present, then you have a higher threshold for incompetence than is healthy in a voter in a democratic republic.

The US government, in less than 4 years, has dropped from the pinnacle of world leadership to being a laughingstock across all aspects of diplomacy, including now public health and disease control. From the testing debacle in January, through the myriad problems of supply chains and availability of critical PPE and medical supplies, right up to the present obfuscation of the blatant fact of the national explosion in cases and hospitalizations, this virus has laid waste to our defenses and clearly revealed our leadership to be sycophants and fools. And the un-masked orange clown carries on.

A quick review of where we stand: the Covid virus seems to have mutated a few months ago to a more infectious form, but not more virulent; most states opened their commerce and society much too early, attempting to force the issue on a virus that doesn’t care about your number of unemployed nor your Governor’s re-election chances; as of today, 36 states are seeing increasing case numbers with approximately 10 states setting new Covid case and hospitalization records on a daily basis; the Federal government has abdicated any role in leading the response to the greatest crisis facing the US since World War II; and, finally, the President yesterday said the the virus will soon “just disappear”.

On two positive notes, at least 4 vaccines will begin stage 3 testing in large cohorts by Autumn and the number of deaths from Covid have not seen the same increases as have new case numbers and hospitalizations. Yet. Deaths are going to begin increasing next week. Also, I am not sanguine about the world’s population being saved from this virus by a miracle vaccine that would have to have been developed in record time and be the first effective vaccine against a corona virus and be manufactured in the billions (not 100’s of millions, billions) by next year. Without any training in public health, ask yourself the simple question, “Is that a reasonable expectation?” The answer is easy – Nope. I hope I am way off here and you can come back at me in 6 months if this all happens, but I don’t think there is a chance. Btw, if you read all of my essays in this series about Covid, you’ll see that my projections and opinions have been on the money so far. Particularly, read the 2 essays at the end of March. The article dated March 30 now seem frighteningly prescient. No brag, just fact.

What can save us at this point? The same interventions that saved New York State in March and April. Conscientious, rigorous application of the non-pharmaceutical interventions: distancing, mask-wearing, bars and gyms closed, indoor dining at no more than 25% capacity. All of this needs to be combined with health and safety measures to protect our workforce – initiated immediately and enforced with fines and closings.

Once the epidemiology curves in these states and cities begin to flatten and then, eventually, bend downwards, tracing and follow-up of new cases will be needed to finally turn the tide. (Tracing is useless when you are reporting 7,000-10,000 new cases a day.)

These interventions can be effective in limiting this virus, New York and New Jersey have shown us the way, but the populace in these problem states needs to understand the consequences of their actions as individuals and see dedication and leadership in tackling this problem from their elected officials. Sorely lacking up to  now.

For yourself: this is a pulmonary exhaust infection. Stay clear of people’s breath clouds. Stay out of lines. Steer clear of cramped spaces. Wear a mask. No crowds. Keep away from strangers. Wash your hands (sure, go ahead). Outside is always better. Maintain your health in every way possible.

It’s been tough and it is going to remain a difficult path for the foreseeable future. I am sorry. I wish you well.

Vote

Be careful. Stay informed. Stay well.