Pandemic reveals need for new medical research, info strategy
Last Sunday, following a beautiful Mother’s Day Mass at Gate of Heaven Church, which was lived streamed into thousands of homes, Father Bob Casey had invited a few of us to share our reflections on the critical role that mothers have played in our society as well as our faith-based institutions through the years. We also sang a few Irish songs to honor all mothers.
The opinions expressed by people from Ireland and Canada to Braintree and Salem were sincere and thoughtful. After the discussion, several expressed to me strong and enlightened opinions on matters from business, school and church closings to the lack of medical and political preparedness. As one stated, “I didn’t expect much from other countries, but I thought America might have been more prepared for such a pandemic as coronavirus. But than again, there remain many diseases that our medical research community has not been successful in developing cures for.”
Another disturbing comment, “It should come as no surprise to anybody that our medical system is as divided and partisan as our political system. Nobody works together anymore, even during a life-anddeath situation.” Not surprisingly, I received some texts, telephone calls and comments from people on the street, like the one from a young man on Emerson Street yesterday who recognized me with my mask on and said, “I thought your comments in church on Sunday were very direct and informed and Sister Mary Ann Connolly and the other lady (Elaine Connolly) were very passionate about the role of mothers in our society.” Another put it more directly, “Why does it take a medical crisis before we hear the truth from politicians and doctors?”
Frankly, I think our political leaders like Mayor Marty Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker have been on top of the situation since the coronavirus first gained attention, but I do have to agree that our country and world’s medical research community has not performed well in anticipating and even finding cures and solutions for long-term deadly viruses and diseases. The international press has not begun to hold the world health community responsible for these deadly health disasters. I have personally witnessed these outrageous, negligent shortcomings in my many years of political and media experiences.
It’s not individuals who are at fault, in politics, medicine or dispensing critical public information, but the lack of a comprehensive coordinated medical Informational system. Today’s broken system should be a wake-up call to the public that you must demand an independent, non-partisan group of citizens whose hope and objective is the health and safety of our people. No better time to begin the process than interjecting this proposal in the U.S. presidential debate and election. If any candidate or party brings special interest politics into this, the voters ought to respond accordingly and a select a committee of respected citizens who would monitor and present the proposals for public review.
I heard a sincere outcry from citizens who wanted to see a small and unspectacular tribute to the foundation of our nation and society, our mothers last Sunday — but came forward with suggestions that might save many lives and make a lasting and glorious legacy for mothers around the world.
If we don’t come together on this one, we may not get a second chance. We need a bold new idea.