Critical thinking on COVID-19 is essential
The U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic is among the worst in the world, and there is no apparent national plan to address the problem or to prepare for future threats.
In normal times, the Congress would hold hearings to assess and resolve the problems, but Congressional hearings and the executive branch are often sources of misinformation and conflict. Eventually, hearings must be held in the Congress, but, first, the scientific community must develop a backbone to address the country’s problems and vigorously advocate solutions.
Several organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, the American College of Epidemiology and infectious disease professionals, should hold their own hearings to address the scientific aspects prior to hearings in the Congress. Among the questions that must be addressed are the following:
1. Why did the CDC make assumptions that proved incorrect about the virus, instead of treating it like a worst-case scenario?
2. Did the CDC/Homeland Security have a national plan to contain the virus initially, and did they put it in effect?
3. If you had a plan, and it was put into effect, why did it fail? If the plan was not put into effect, why wasn’t it?
4. The U.S. did not have a backup supply of personal protective equipment and, due to outsourcing and the global economy, it was unable to rapidly respond to aid the medical community. What has Congress done or what should it do to address the issues?
5. The CDC was unable to rapidly supply reagents and reliable tests, and there are still problems. Although production has been outsourced to industry, are the plans adequate?
6. It is unlikely that a vaccine will provide permanent immunity. If that is the case, what are the societal options?
Sadly, the U.S. lacks a rational functioning government. Unless the U.S. government, with the help of scientific and public interest groups, can develop, at least, some collective critical thinking abilities, it will continue to fail the people. JOSEPH A. D’ANNA White Rock