COVID-19 is not a surprise. Science has been expecting it, in fact. It’s just a moving cog in the wheel of global warming. Living under the rule of a president who doesn’t believe in science is like living in the dark ages and trying to convince people the world is round. COVID-19 has shined a light on what is already so very wrong in our country. Let’s begin with the class system that still endures in the USA. That system keeps the middle class from rising up and we’re having to work two jobs to survive, keeps the very poor, very poor and keeps the wealthy moving on up! Right now, the rich can get tested for COVID-19 when needed, no one else can but for medical professionals and first responders. Testing is how a country stays informed, moves forward and plans for the future. Other countries are already working on putting people back to work because they are testing and have been testing right along.
It’s very simple, really. Numbers matter! Our president and his cohorts would prefer our actual numbers never be known, God forbid, the U.S. should not come in first in every race. Twenty-five percent of actual, regular Republicans, not Retrumplicans today, are in favor of Universal Health Care. And in favor of massive testing sights as well. Once we figure out who’s already had it, they may return to work, and countries can begin to come out of this in time. Those who have the antibodies can be used for treatment in patients suffering with the virus.
Dr. Fauci keeps telling us now, until a cohesive plan for tracking new cases and tracing where each and every person has been needs to happen before anyone can return to work. If and when the public returns to work, if they are not tested at the door, this may begin all over again with no end in sight. Without available testing free to everyone, we stand no chance to beat this thing. China lied about it’s numbers as well as when the virus began there, now we are lying about the very same things. I am not proud to be an American. The president seems to be relishing pitting our 50 states against each other for supplies as well as expecting governors and local leaders to “figure it out” on their own. “United States?” I don’t think so.
Imagine, if the nursing homes and Holyoke Soldier’s Home had testing two months ago? We may not be losing so many of our Greatest Generation who do not deserve to die on a ventilator. Alone. This may just be the worst of it for me. I am suffering with the knowledge that so much suffering is happening to a population who are the foundation of everything we have and hold dear. We would also know which employees were safe to care for our loved ones as well. And which ones needed to go home and quarantine. Again, testing and testing and testing is the answer.
Lastly, black and poor is no place to be right now. Or any shade of brown. Forty percent more of this population are dying. Just like they do in natural disasters all over the world. Just let the poor people of color die where they are, as they were in the way anyway? The USA doesn’t get better; it’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing, where some find better ways to hide their prejudice and pretend they are tolerant. One tolerates flies at a picnic, not human beings. We use our “rights” as a weapon to step over others to get what we want. Our freedoms do not include abuse of others or bigotry. I see your real selves people and it’s not pretty! My heart guides me, not my bank account.
We have a perfect storm at this moment and a national election on the horizon. Naturally, Trump wants no part of paper ballots for all. How will we vote? Another unanswered question. I will be filling out an absentee ballot as soon as they are available and will be encouraging everyone I know to do the same.
PS. I sure do hope we consider creating some factories that make medical supplies and toilet paper in our country if it doesn’t prove to be rocket science. Wouldn’t that be an amazing concept? Can big business put it’s greedy egos away long enough to create things we actually need? And pay people to make them? Um, about that “trickle down” business of years ago? Could we trickle now?
Ellen Villani is a Greenfield resident.