AFTER THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER, WHAT NEXT?

On March 26, 2020, I wrote:

AFTER "STAY-AT-HOME" ORDER, WHAT NEXT?

COVID-19 has exposed the absolute leadership failure in America, especially at the federal government level. From lack of empathy in crisis moment to zero inspirational words from the president of the United States. 

At times like this, leaders rise up to the occasion armed with truth, facts, and inspiring words that will propel citizens to do more for the country, even without being asked.

California, Colorado, New York and a few other states have asked its citizens to stay at home to slow the spread of this virus. But the real question is, what next, after this order expires?

Will it be business as usual? Will bars and restaurants open for business? Will Uber and Lyft drivers pick and drop off passengers to and from their respective destinations? Will workers who administer food stamps and Medicaid be asked to see their vulnerable population? Will Silicon Valley be asked to operate as before? What next?

The reason I ask these questions are as follows:

1. Given the fact that there are people who may have the virus (asymptomatic) and do not even know that they do, won't returning to business as usual lead to a second surge of the virus?
2. Because not everyone has been and will be tested, won't the lifting of the "stay-at-home" order expose more people to the virus and lead to a sudden spike in the curve?
3. When this order is lifted, will there be enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospital workers?

I see a situation where, once the states, counties or cities lift the order there will be a resurgence of COVID-19. So, if we aren't prepared when we were given heads up that this virus was coming, what makes us think we will be ready after the stay-at-home order has been relaxed? 

So, what can we do now?

1. The federal government should seek assistance from other countries who have fought this battle and have recovered or are recovering from the scourge. Germany fought this war via testing, testing, and testing. Why can't America use this stay-at-home time to test more of its citizens?
2. Ask for ventilators from Germany, China, Japan and other countries. 
3. Use the Defense Production Act to make our indigenous companies make more ventilators and PPEs for identified hotspots. 
4. Solicit the help of Cuban doctors who are familiar with handling situations like this to come to our rescue, especially since our own doctors and nurses are being worked to the edges. 
5. Be truthful to Americans and tell them that you either have the ventilators or you don't, or you have not fully enforced the DPA or you won't?

This is not a time to play politics with people's lives. It is, rather, a time to save people's lives. Giving individuals a paltry sum of $1200 and less will not save their lives as soon as the stay-at-home order is lifted. Giving industries line of credit or loans won't make them have people to work for them after the stay-at-home order has been released. 

Do the needful now. Use this time to ask for more testing machines and test more Americans, whether showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or not. This way, you can separate those who have the virus from those who don't and begin to focus your attention on those who have it. Use retail stores like Walmart, Sam's Club, King Soopers, Walgreens and Human Service offices etc to be testing grounds. Use stadiums all over the country as testing sites. Explore how celebrities and highly placed politicians are getting tested quickly and extend such privilege to Americans.
Do it now and save more Americans from this disease. God bless the United States of America. 

Uzoma Nduka (Ph.D in Epidemiology).

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