By North America correspondent James Glenday
In my neighbourhood in Washington DC, a lot of people mock President Donald Trump's 2020 election slogan "Keep America Great".
But deep down, they understand why it resonates with parts of the nation.
Most Americans, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican, genuinely believe they live in the greatest country on Earth, one capable of meeting any moment, leading the world and overcoming the longest odds.
It's a patriotic message they pick up from some of their earliest days at school.
Most Americans, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican, genuinely believe they live in the greatest country on Earth, one capable of meeting any moment, leading the world and overcoming the longest odds.
It's a patriotic message they pick up from some of their earliest days at school.
History classes are heavy on local trials and triumphs with less focus on the rest of the planet.
But the coronavirus pandemic is now seriously testing American society.
The initial response here was slow, cases are rising so rapidly there are warnings the USA could soon become the new global epicentre of the outbreak and hundreds of thousands could die.
"The numbers are kind of scary and I don't know how to sugar-coat it," Rebecca Katz from Georgetown University Medical Centre says.
Like elsewhere in the world, health officials believe strict social distancing measures are the only chance of averting a catastrophe.
But in a country where individual rights, freedom and self-responsibility are valued highly, how much and for how long is everyone willing to suffer to protect the most vulnerable?
But in a country where individual rights, freedom and self-responsibility are valued highly, how much and for how long is everyone willing to suffer to protect the most vulnerable?
The problems started with the testing
America largely got to this point due to two main failings: one of public messaging and one structural.
For weeks, President Donald Trump contradicted health officials and played down the threat, claiming the virus was similar to the flu, telling people: "just stay calm, it will go away".
It meant precious time for early coordinated action was lost.
It meant precious time for early coordinated action was lost.
Bureaucratic bungling also delayed the efficient production and rollout of tests.
In Idaho, Australian woman Kim Cobb has been sick and in self-isolation for nine days, waiting to get her results to learn if she has the coronavirus or not.
"I've never been so frustrated," she said.
Drive-through testing sites are now being rapidly set up and thousands of new cases are being identified each day.
But because of the sluggish start, no-one is entirely sure how far the virus has spread undetected through the community and how big the problem is.
In New York, the centre of the American outbreak, the state's Governor Andrew Cuomo likened it to a wave.
"The question is, what is the point of the break?" he asked.
"And if when the wave breaks, does it crash over the health care system?"
In Idaho, Australian woman Kim Cobb has been sick and in self-isolation for nine days, waiting to get her results to learn if she has the coronavirus or not.
"I've never been so frustrated," she said.
Drive-through testing sites are now being rapidly set up and thousands of new cases are being identified each day.
But because of the sluggish start, no-one is entirely sure how far the virus has spread undetected through the community and how big the problem is.
In New York, the centre of the American outbreak, the state's Governor Andrew Cuomo likened it to a wave.
"The question is, what is the point of the break?" he asked.
"And if when the wave breaks, does it crash over the health care system?"
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New York State (not city) Governor Andrew Cuomo |
At the time of writing, there were more than 50,000 confirmed cases and at least 646 deaths.
"I want America to understand this week, it's going to get bad," Surgeon-General Jerome Adams warned.
"There are not enough people out there who are taking this seriously."
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Surgeon-General Jerome Adams |
America is in the calm before the storm
The crisis has brought out the best and worst in Americans.
As the first schools and shops closed, the sweeping restrictions on everyday life sparked panic.
The crisis has brought out the best and worst in Americans.
As the first schools and shops closed, the sweeping restrictions on everyday life sparked panic.
Since then, things seem to have settled down slightly.
Those who can afford to are donating food, equipment or supplies to the less fortunate, while the more than 40 per cent of citizens ordered to stay home are finding ever more creative ways to socialise at a safe social distance.
In all, it feels like America is now in the calm before the storm.
The horrifying pictures from Italy of coffins and people gasping for air in overwhelmed makeshift hospitals offer a glimpse of what might be to come.
Those who can afford to are donating food, equipment or supplies to the less fortunate, while the more than 40 per cent of citizens ordered to stay home are finding ever more creative ways to socialise at a safe social distance.
In all, it feels like America is now in the calm before the storm.
The horrifying pictures from Italy of coffins and people gasping for air in overwhelmed makeshift hospitals offer a glimpse of what might be to come.
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Italy's dead from Covid-19 moved out by military trucks |
But still some ignore the official advice, flocking to parks in New York, beaches in California and the National Mall in Washington.
Trump seems to be wavering on strict measures
What is obvious already, however, is the enormous economic pain being inflicted on this country.
Huge numbers of people have lost their jobs with some warning unemployment could soon be higher than during the Great Depression.
"There's just no way to prepare for something like this," said Andrea Viera, who had to fire 70 staff this week from her nail salon.
"I don't think this is going to be over for four or five months."
The President, who made a strong economy the centrepiece of his re-election campaign, is clearly worried measures to address the health crisis are coming at the expense of America's financial future.
What is obvious already, however, is the enormous economic pain being inflicted on this country.
Huge numbers of people have lost their jobs with some warning unemployment could soon be higher than during the Great Depression.
"There's just no way to prepare for something like this," said Andrea Viera, who had to fire 70 staff this week from her nail salon.
"I don't think this is going to be over for four or five months."
The President, who made a strong economy the centrepiece of his re-election campaign, is clearly worried measures to address the health crisis are coming at the expense of America's financial future.
He continues to suggest things will be working again in "weeks, not months", maybe even by Easter.
His comments have been welcomed by some conservative politicians.
Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, even stated he'd be willing to risk his own life to return to normal conditions.
His comments have been welcomed by some conservative politicians.
Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, even stated he'd be willing to risk his own life to return to normal conditions.
"No one reached out to me and said, as a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance for your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren?" he said, during a Fox News interview.
"If that's the exchange, I'm all in."
"If that's the exchange, I'm all in."
Health experts are increasingly alarmed
Immunologists are worried by the Commander-in-Chief's comments and warn lifting strict social distancing rules now would likely prove disastrous.
"[Coronavirus] would spread widely, rapidly, terribly, could kill potentially millions in the year ahead with huge social and economic impacts," tweeted Tom Inglesby, the director of the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security.
"We need to press ahead for now with closed schools, mass telecommuting, no gatherings, strong advisory to stay home."
There are many reasons to think Mr Trump won't get what he wants.
"We need to press ahead for now with closed schools, mass telecommuting, no gatherings, strong advisory to stay home."
There are many reasons to think Mr Trump won't get what he wants.
Most of the toughest restrictions on normal life have been introduced by the states.
Governors in Washington, California and New York seem unlikely to change course yet.
Many business owners have made it clear they won't rush to rehire workers until they are confident the threat of further disruption has passed.
Many employees will also be fearful of returning to work until the situation improves substantially.
Perhaps more than anything the President's approach demonstrates how nearly everything in this nation is coloured by partisan politics.
Many of those calling for restrictions to be relaxed are Republicans from rural parts of America, which have so far not been badly hit.
Governors in Washington, California and New York seem unlikely to change course yet.
Many business owners have made it clear they won't rush to rehire workers until they are confident the threat of further disruption has passed.
Many employees will also be fearful of returning to work until the situation improves substantially.
Perhaps more than anything the President's approach demonstrates how nearly everything in this nation is coloured by partisan politics.
Many of those calling for restrictions to be relaxed are Republicans from rural parts of America, which have so far not been badly hit.
Democrats on the other hand are often centred in major cities, where the major hotspots are.
The United States has its reputation at stake
It's worth remembering there are potentially more than lives or economic growth riding on how the United States responds.
The country's reputation could also take a hit.
During many other global crises American presidents have taken an international leadership role.
This time, however, the White House is doing relatively little and China — where the pandemic originated — senses an opportunity to bolster its standing.
The United States has its reputation at stake
It's worth remembering there are potentially more than lives or economic growth riding on how the United States responds.
The country's reputation could also take a hit.
During many other global crises American presidents have taken an international leadership role.
This time, however, the White House is doing relatively little and China — where the pandemic originated — senses an opportunity to bolster its standing.
Beijing is offering help to several countries, while mounting a propaganda campaign to contrast its draconian efforts to tackle the virus in a positive way compared to the approach of western democracies.
Two well-known Asia observers, Kurt Campbell — who served in the Obama administration — and Rush Doshi even warned the coronavirus could help reshape the world order and allow China to play a greater international leadership role.
In a recent article they wrote this could be a "Suez moment" for the United States, a reference to the 1956 crisis that was effectively Britain's last serious fling of the imperial dice.
Two well-known Asia observers, Kurt Campbell — who served in the Obama administration — and Rush Doshi even warned the coronavirus could help reshape the world order and allow China to play a greater international leadership role.
In a recent article they wrote this could be a "Suez moment" for the United States, a reference to the 1956 crisis that was effectively Britain's last serious fling of the imperial dice.
Say what you want about the US and Trump but at the end of the day their COV19 rescue package was passed by both houses of Senate and Congress and signed off by the President.
ReplyDeleteAll in Order. All according to their Constitution.
Members of Congress even had to rush back and vote IN PERSON, despite the travel restrictions.
But in Malaysia our Hail Mary Rescue Package was put together by a few people we didn't elect to be in government, plus one from the banking industry which needed a bail-out.
Behind Closed Doors. Like the Sheraton Shake.
This rescue package which puts our national debt way above the legal limit of 55% of GDP, did not pass Parliament or Senate.
Not In Order.
Trump and the Republicans will have his day of reckoning in November. The body count may be his downfall.
How about Muhyiddin and PN?
This Donald Trump is a very dangerous and sick mentally retarded sex maniac.He was given a briefing on this Coronavirus becoming a potential pandemic crisis in the US,as early as January.Because of his hatred and disgust with the intelligence agency,he downplayed this early warning.
ReplyDeleteBecause Trump and his administration sat on this early warning,they did not warn the hospitals,doctors,management and suppliers in the medical profession.So months after the virus had arrived in the US and infected tens of thousands of people.When the sick people started swarming the hospitals,they suddenly find that they were short of face masks,disposible protective clothings,gloves,ventilators and even testing kits.
Just imagine Jack Ma donating one million face masks and five hundred testing kits to the US.The US is supposed to be a first world country and excel in the medical field.But under this pariah it had become the laughing stock of the world and a banana republic.Go figure.
Typo.Actually Jack Ma donated one million face masks and five hundred thousand test kits.
ReplyDeleteLKS must have read my comment.....or maybe I am he....ha ha ha...
ReplyDeleteQUOTE
Kit Siang calls for 2-day parliament meeting to approve RM250 bil stimulus package
FMT Reporters -March 28, 2020
Lim Kit Siang says parliamentary approval of the government’s RM250 billion economic stimulus package will give it ‘credibility and legitimacy’
PETALING JAYA: DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has called for a two-day emergency meeting of Parliament to approve the government’s RM250 billion economic stimulus package and debate the “earliest possible re-start of the Malaysian economic engine”.
The Iskandar Puteri MP noted that in his live telecast announcing the package yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had said “this government cares for you” although it was not the government Malaysians had voted for in the 14th general election two years ago.
“For this reason, it is important and imperative that Muhyiddin should be reminded that Malaysia is still a parliamentary democracy and that he should convene a two-day emergency meeting of Parliament to approve his economic stimulus package sothat it would have credibility and legitimacy,” he said in a statement today.
He said there should be no other business during the emergency meeting, whether it be a question-and-answer session, a “no confidence” motion against the prime minister, election of a new speaker or any other business, except for a debate to approve the stimulus package.
“The debate will also allow Members of Parliament to convey the views of the people with regard to the invisible war against the Covid-19 virus and the triple whammy of public health, economic and information crisis in Malaysia as a result of the outbreak,” he said.
UNQUOTE
"Beijing is offering help to several countries, while mounting a propaganda campaign....."
ReplyDelete"...even warned the coronavirus could help reshape the world order and allow China to play a greater international leadership role."
Tsk, tsk, tsk...apa lah Beijing ini...listen up..just stop giving out those much desperately needed masks, PPE, ventilators, sanitizers...
After coming out of 2 and half months of hell in Wuhan and Hubei, tak cukup ke ? Your medical teams tak penat ke ? Why torture them and expose them to further infection in foreign lands so immediately after working non stop in Wuhan ?
They are not even your own people....can't you just relax, after those harrowing months in your own draconian lockdown..just relax la, you earned it, just watch with folded arms the sufferings over there and applaud every increase of infection rate there and the mounting death rate ? Like take a bet how many of these barbarians will die and do some cheering, OK ? They won't appreciate any help one.
Why so kaypochi one ! Now these supremacists are unsettled, feeling like their NOMBER SATU spot is being challenged. Even if you don't mean to take their spot...just try to get into their shit brain mind...they are so insecure now and every little thing will push them to the brink. So please, please, just stop all these well meaning help, you don't want all these green eyed ketuanan to feel threatened...we here in tanah air sini can tell you some horror stories, hehehe