Posted on Apr 2, 2020
Why has it taken so long for the U.S. to realize that a national Lockdown is necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19?
11.6K
437
293
44
44
0
China, after the virus leak, completely locked down Wuhan and quarantined the city. Beijing and Shanghai reported no cases of Covid-19. India also placed the Nation under a three-week curfew to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the number of cases in India are way less than any European country or the United States. Couldn't the U.S. follow these examples to save lives?
Coronavirus COVID19
Health
Welfare
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 64
3
3
0
The words from one of our great founding fathers comes to mind "give me liberty of give me death". The US is a very diverse place. New York is very different than Wyoming. That is why the founding fathers established the decentralized government they did. Why would you shut places down where the nearest covid case is 100 miles away? The shutdown in Wisconsin was deemed unconstitutional by its supreme court. If a federal lock down was enacted it is unconstitutional and would be overturned by our supreme court. We have had much worse outbreaks in our past. covid is relatively mild. If you are under 30 the flu is more lethal.
(3)
(0)
Brad Miller
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana - Lockdown is a reverse quarantine. Instead of keeping SICK people away from general intercourse, they kept WELL people away -- and crashed the economy.
(2)
(0)
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
Brad Miller, very interesting psychology MDF. I am not sure that I want to understand the relationship between general intercourse and the economy.
(0)
(0)
Brad Miller
General intercourse -- people meeting people and doing things. Shopping, eating, going to movies. Spending money. Money doesn't get spent, doesn't move around, economy crashes. Modern capitalist economy is based on the MOVEMENT of money, rather than the STOCKPILING of it.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
3
3
0
The Chinese numbers are faked, they don't want to report actual numbers to take pressure off the government. The US system is State based with FEMA providing support to the State unless a disaster is declared, then a federal administrator is established still to support the State requests.
We are a constitutional republic and strive to follow the processes, even in times of crisis.
Locking down is not a normal response for Americans so there is a tremendous resistance to this idea. We can't get agreement on wearing masks in public, something most places in the world do if they are sick.
We are a constitutional republic and strive to follow the processes, even in times of crisis.
Locking down is not a normal response for Americans so there is a tremendous resistance to this idea. We can't get agreement on wearing masks in public, something most places in the world do if they are sick.
(3)
(0)
MAJ Matthew Arnold
I hear from a friend of a friend that satellite information shows that crematoriums in China are running non stop, being used way way more than previous to the Wuhan virus starting up and probably way more than the number of deaths than China is reporting.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
Thankfully we live in a federation of independent states where only the states, with their unique situations are able to do such a thing. The Feds could deal with areas that deal with interstate commerce, but the constitution specifically limits the power of the federal government.
The feds have no responsibility to be the supply warehouse for individual entities. Point toward the much praised "just in time" system. Since the surfacing, and praise, of the Toyota/Japanese management systems in the 70s and 80s, the ideal has been minimizing on hand stock in every business from the smallest Mom and Pop store to the largest manufacturer. You can't change the system overnight and the feds have no authority to dictate such procedures.
We are currently dependent upon the voluntary compliance of the population with recommendations from the feds. The governors, for the most part, are putting those recommendations into state orders when necessary. The words of one governor of a flyover state, come to mind who stated she had not declared an emergency or restrictions because her state was not subjected to the widespread problems of other states.
The feds have no responsibility to be the supply warehouse for individual entities. Point toward the much praised "just in time" system. Since the surfacing, and praise, of the Toyota/Japanese management systems in the 70s and 80s, the ideal has been minimizing on hand stock in every business from the smallest Mom and Pop store to the largest manufacturer. You can't change the system overnight and the feds have no authority to dictate such procedures.
We are currently dependent upon the voluntary compliance of the population with recommendations from the feds. The governors, for the most part, are putting those recommendations into state orders when necessary. The words of one governor of a flyover state, come to mind who stated she had not declared an emergency or restrictions because her state was not subjected to the widespread problems of other states.
(3)
(0)
I think China lied and deceived the world about what was happening with covid — and they continue to do so
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
I think there are two reasons:
1. The situation in Wyoming is fundamentally different than the situation in New York. Giving more local authority to determine what the correct measures to take are is how a federalist system is supposed to work. Be assured that federal officials are in touch with all of those state officials and they converse on what steps to take based on the situation.
2. Political. No one forgot that this is an election year. The big problems are in dense urban areas, which tend to vote Democrat. By reserving decision-making to local representatives (usually governors), the President is ensuring that the credit or blame is shared. Not only is that politically shrewd, it also fosters teamwork in a time that has been hyper-partisan.
The correct answer is that the federal government resources, the local government executes.
1. The situation in Wyoming is fundamentally different than the situation in New York. Giving more local authority to determine what the correct measures to take are is how a federalist system is supposed to work. Be assured that federal officials are in touch with all of those state officials and they converse on what steps to take based on the situation.
2. Political. No one forgot that this is an election year. The big problems are in dense urban areas, which tend to vote Democrat. By reserving decision-making to local representatives (usually governors), the President is ensuring that the credit or blame is shared. Not only is that politically shrewd, it also fosters teamwork in a time that has been hyper-partisan.
The correct answer is that the federal government resources, the local government executes.
(3)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana -
China - because they lie
Italy, because Bergamo isn't that big of a town, especially in comparison to NYC
Spain, pretty good reaction on their part, but their losing more people per case due to poorer equipped hospitals.
If stuff gets ugly here, it will be because critical care cases overwhelm capacity of equipment and/or personnel. That is a very distinct possibility in New York/ Newark.
New Orleans looks shaky too. In a case like that, the feds are wise to keep some supplies in reserve in case a quick reaction is needed.
China - because they lie
Italy, because Bergamo isn't that big of a town, especially in comparison to NYC
Spain, pretty good reaction on their part, but their losing more people per case due to poorer equipped hospitals.
If stuff gets ugly here, it will be because critical care cases overwhelm capacity of equipment and/or personnel. That is a very distinct possibility in New York/ Newark.
New Orleans looks shaky too. In a case like that, the feds are wise to keep some supplies in reserve in case a quick reaction is needed.
(2)
(0)
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
1SG (Join to see), so, in your opinion 1SG the U.S. is well-prepared to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect the Country from this invisible threat?
(0)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana - The country is. The question has always been whether a free people used to doing as they please will restrict movement adequately to bend the curve. If not, this will get out of hand, at least locally. Mardi Gras going on, Spring Break beaches remaining open, and New York's leaders telling people to "go out and see a show" stand out as major blunders that have had real consequences.
For the life of me, I can't figure how it is that anyone is still on a cruise ship, nor why domestic air travel isn't severely curtailed.
But we have the best medical infrastructure in the world and a ton of capacity to surge supplies. I think we've got this on the medical side, although a week ago I was very much in doubt.
So far people haven't been behaving badly with looting and the like, and that is a welcome sign.
I worry more about the economic fallout now. But that is for another day. We need to beat the virus first.
For the life of me, I can't figure how it is that anyone is still on a cruise ship, nor why domestic air travel isn't severely curtailed.
But we have the best medical infrastructure in the world and a ton of capacity to surge supplies. I think we've got this on the medical side, although a week ago I was very much in doubt.
So far people haven't been behaving badly with looting and the like, and that is a welcome sign.
I worry more about the economic fallout now. But that is for another day. We need to beat the virus first.
(1)
(0)
PO3 Steven Guess
1SG (Join to see) - looking back there was no curve to flatten. None of the federal emergency response hospitals were ever utilized.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
MAJ Ken Landgren
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana - I am not a smart guy so I will use a football game as an analogy. The score is tied and the opponent (COVID-19) starts at its own 5 yard line. We don't sweat it. The probability of them scoring is low. The coach is not worried and the opponent makes it to mid field. The players on defense are a little confused and concerned. The opponent gets down to the 30 yard line. Now the coach and the players are starting to get concerned. The defense is playing prevent defense and the opponent is getting big chunks of yardage on offense. The coach nor the defense have a leader who steps up to take control. When the opponent gets to the 10 yard line, that's when we try to stiffen up the defense, but at that point, the game is lost.
- We made a horrible mistake in assigning risk to COVID-19. Risk for national disasters need to be accurate. We took the approach of low risk for a few weeks. Time is wasted.
- The Pandemic Team was eliminated, renamed and moved to a different location. The team is incorporated in an office with two other missions such as terrorism and chemical risk (just for illustration). For lack of a better term the new Pandemic Team still has an SOP which described POCs, Roles and Responsibilities, Requisite Actions before, during, and after pandemics. I am going to assume that SOP was collecting dust as one of the first actions was to assess the risk and quickly support the civilian sector with supplies, equipment, and guidance. Unfortunately many hospitals will not have the surge capability as the pandemic grows due to the lack of PPEs, ventilators, beds and other supplies and equipment.
- The National Response Framework which is guidance on planning for and mitigating national disasters spells out DHS as the lead to command and control of all federal agencies, departments, and Army North, DoD to support states and civil authorities. This is a huge undertaking due to the number of different entities, capabilities, responsibilities, to include tracking tasks or missions from planning, execution, and conclusion. I saw no unity of command and no unity of effort as people and agencies went into the fight in a singular manner. It was like having a Corps Commander telling the brigades to get in the fight and do what you need to do. Lack of unified command and effort was a big AAR comment for Katrina. It increased the confusion and chaos. In this chaotic environment we made a crucial mistake. We waited until 13MAR to open federal coffers to support the fight against the pandemic. This means much of the supplies and equipment will not come in time as the pandemic continues to quickly surge.
So this is how I will describe the early phases:
- PHASE1 IDENTIFY RISK: Poor
- PHASE2 IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: Poor
- PHASE3 UNIFIED EFFORT: Poor
- We made a horrible mistake in assigning risk to COVID-19. Risk for national disasters need to be accurate. We took the approach of low risk for a few weeks. Time is wasted.
- The Pandemic Team was eliminated, renamed and moved to a different location. The team is incorporated in an office with two other missions such as terrorism and chemical risk (just for illustration). For lack of a better term the new Pandemic Team still has an SOP which described POCs, Roles and Responsibilities, Requisite Actions before, during, and after pandemics. I am going to assume that SOP was collecting dust as one of the first actions was to assess the risk and quickly support the civilian sector with supplies, equipment, and guidance. Unfortunately many hospitals will not have the surge capability as the pandemic grows due to the lack of PPEs, ventilators, beds and other supplies and equipment.
- The National Response Framework which is guidance on planning for and mitigating national disasters spells out DHS as the lead to command and control of all federal agencies, departments, and Army North, DoD to support states and civil authorities. This is a huge undertaking due to the number of different entities, capabilities, responsibilities, to include tracking tasks or missions from planning, execution, and conclusion. I saw no unity of command and no unity of effort as people and agencies went into the fight in a singular manner. It was like having a Corps Commander telling the brigades to get in the fight and do what you need to do. Lack of unified command and effort was a big AAR comment for Katrina. It increased the confusion and chaos. In this chaotic environment we made a crucial mistake. We waited until 13MAR to open federal coffers to support the fight against the pandemic. This means much of the supplies and equipment will not come in time as the pandemic continues to quickly surge.
So this is how I will describe the early phases:
- PHASE1 IDENTIFY RISK: Poor
- PHASE2 IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: Poor
- PHASE3 UNIFIED EFFORT: Poor
(2)
(0)
While the obvious answer is that people are idiots, another thing to look at is the delay in response. But, if you also look at the statistics, COVID-19 (world numbers) has a survival rate of approximately 95%. The main issue is the infection rate. Which circles back to people are stupid and delay in response.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
Necessary and legally possible are different things. What can be done in a totalitarian regime is very different from what can be done in a country with rule of law and a strong Constitution.
Besides, there has been some research that shows that total lockdowns are overkill - we're dealing with what amounts to super-flu not pneumonic plague.
Besides, there has been some research that shows that total lockdowns are overkill - we're dealing with what amounts to super-flu not pneumonic plague.
(2)
(0)
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
When will a vaccine become available for the prevention of the spread of Covid-19?
(0)
(0)
Bergman Oswell
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana - There might never be a total cure. There are signs that it mutates like the flu does, so vaccines might be a new one every season like with flu shots.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Actually, this is a question you should be asking the President. He had the resources, manpower, AND a PLAYBOOK to deal with/combat/mitigate the spread of the CONTAGION PRIOR to it even reaching the U.S. yet this president did NOTHING, and continued to call the virus a HOAX. All this of course was before over 150,000 Americans(and still counting) lost their lives to this PLAGUE.
(2)
(0)
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
What about the Administration and Congress; are we only blaming the President, Shawn?
(0)
(0)
SSG Shawn Mcfadden
Did you ask this same question when 9/11 happened? The Country at that time was attacked, and Bush had to lead, which he DID. If he did not, his ability to lead would have been in question. Fast forward to now, the Virus came and infected the Country, and trump has shown his INABILITY to lead the Country. As for Congress, the Democrats have shown leadership by trying to help the People of the Country, while the GOP has been in disarray, and have forgotten what their role in Government is. To answer your question, trump gets most of the blame due to him not taking any action before the virus came to the country.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google