From China to corona, the biggest winners of 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, it’s time to name the year’s biggest winners. Here’s a spotlight on those who won - though not necessarily in the conventional sense:
- By far, without a doubt, no question about it, the biggest winners of 2020 are the scientists who developed the COVID-19 vaccines. In an age where “hero” is often heaped upon the undeserving, calling those who are saving the world from utter devastation “heroes” is a gross understatement.
These scientists, and the pharmaceutical/bio-tech companies which fund their work, are true saviors. The researchers remain nameless, and their ten straight months of nonstop effort goes largely unrecognized. Yet their diligence is paying off, as millions have already been vaccinated. Let’s not forget that COVID-19 is an RNA virus - and until now, there has never, repeat never, been a vaccine for an RNA virus. Had the scientists failed to unlock COVID’s secrets, countless more would have become infected, hundreds of thousands - possibly millions - would have perished, and the economic and physical security of damn near everyone on the planet would have been placed in severe jeopardy.
From a young age, I closely watched my Uncle Lou, who worked in Pharma, labor day and night to develop medicines that saved lives. While every job is important, few people can say that their line of work prolongs that which we cherish most - life itself.
Hopefully, this victory over the pandemic, in record time, will make the critics of the pharmaceutical industry, who invariably describe pharma as “the evil empire,” “price gougers,” and “deep-pocketed special interests,” rethink their position.
Not only are these monikers false, but those who bandy around such labels are the ultimate hypocrites, because when the stuff hits the fan regarding their own health, they immediately turn to the very entities they hold in contempt. That’s not to say the industry is perfect, but the constant whining about “pharma greed” grows really old, especially now. Fact is, there isn’t an American whose life hasn’t been saved, lengthened or enhanced by a pharmaceutical drug, from ibuprofen to chemotherapy - to COVID-19 vaccines.
If Congress would finally mandate that our medications be manufactured in America - not China, where upwards of 90 percent of our drugs are made - that would be the additional shot in the arm needed to ensure our nation’s health.
To the world’s scientists: We salute you. We thank you. And may God bless you.
Coronavirus/Entitlement: America has the largest number of cases, and most deaths related to COVID-19. And why? Because we’ve become an “allabout-me, I’ll-do-whateverI-want” nation. Instead of following science and common sense to contain the worst pandemic in 100 years, too many politicize it (not wearing masks in “protest”), pack bars and gyms, and host big get-togethers - yet have the gall to be angry at more restrictive measures while complaining that their business is losing money.
A stealthy virus like COVID is naturally effective at spreading around the globe, but it absolutely loves when entitled societies roll out the red carpet. Given our status as whining, petulant children, coronavirus was a winner this year. God help us when the next one hits. And it most definitely will.
China: And then we have China, origin of the pandemic. One of two things is true. Either China developed C19 as the perfect biological pathogen in its Wuhan bioweapons lab (where it was either deliberately or unintentionally released), or the virus originated in a Chinese “wet market” where it made the leap from exotic animal to human. Either way, the Chinese leadership should be damned.
If the former, then China’s actions constitute an act of war. If the latter, then this pandemic should have never occurred. There are so many animals (carcasses and alive) in those wet markets - from ostrich to bamboo rats to cicadas - that it would have been difficult to determine the carrier. But that became impossible when China refused to allow scientific investigators into the country in those crucial first months, when they could have gained a foothold on the virus. It’s worth noting that because the SARS epidemic originated in wet markets, the Chinese government was pressured to outlaw them to avoid future outbreaks. Unfortunately, it didn’t. The result speaks for itself. Given that human life - potentially all of it, should a more lethal pandemic emerge - hangs in the balance, China needs to be held accountable.
Yet despite all the hard-line talk from the world’s democracies to do so, via sanctions, tariffs, domestic drug manufacturing, etc., nothing has happened. It’s another classic example of the West either being bought off by China, or having no follow-through. Either way, China wins because it has emerged from the pandemic relatively unscathed, writing the narrative that it saved the world through its manufacturing juggernaut status (providing personal protective equipment and ventilators to countries that outsourced such capabilities) and vaccine research.
If America and the West are to continue leading the world, they must stand up against the totalitarian Chinese regime hellbent on stamping its imprimatur on the world - by any means necessary.
Of course, Joe Biden is also a huge winner. Sure, there will be the always-Trumpers and conspiracy theorists who disagree, but they are unable to admit the simple truth: Mr. Biden won. And based on everything we know, he won fair and square - just as Donald Trump legitimately won four years ago, when there was no hacking, and Russia didn’t alter a single vote at the ballot box. Sure, it’s hard for Trump supporters to digest, since just a few months back, this election was supposedly in the bag. The economy was roaring, unemployment was at record lows, America’s physical security was sound, and the president had taken a tough stance with China.
But after coronavirus hit, the president wrote the book on how to do everything wrong, from refusing to admit that America was in a pandemic to running a horrendously off-message campaign. With the economy suddenly on the brink, and a scary uncertainty looming, Mr. Trump’s erratic behavior was on full display - and people no longer looked the other way. In the end, the election had little to do with Joe Biden, and everything to do with Donald Trump. Though the president lost that referendum, he nonetheless came close to winning, and, ironically, presided over an election that saw Republicans make wildly unexpected gains.
How Mr. Biden will govern remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: with no evidence of widespread voter fraud - a fact acknowledged by the president’s inner circle, from Attorney General Bill Barr to Chris Christie - Joe Biden is America’s legitimate presidentelect. People certainly aren’t obligated to agree with his policies, but they owe him their respect. After four years of a segment not accepting Donald Trump as president - even taking it to the extreme - it’s time people learn from that gross mistake by embracing Joe Biden as their commander-in-chief. If America is ever to unify, that’s a mandatory first step.
The American people. Once again, we have set a shining example of a peaceful transition of power. In a world where despots rule most countries, and sham elections are the norm, America’s adherence to the rule of law, and her people’s acceptance of the outcome, continues to amaze. Sure, some whine and threaten to move to France because their candidate lost, but no one does, for good reason: the United States is still, by far, the most benevolent and free nation in history. May the uninterrupted reign of peace in American elections continue forever.
Catholic Church: Last year, Pope Francis announced an “epochal” change in church policy, removing “pontifical secrecy” as it relates to the worldwide pedophilia scandal. Now the Vatican, in an unprecedented move, released a damning report on former top church officials and their roles in the scandal. The pope’s decision may sting in the short term, but it was absolutely necessary for the church to regain credibility and, more important, bring back millions who left over the scandal. This pope, more than his stonewalling predecessors, seems to inherently understand that the only way to more “praying” is to expose the truth related to “preying.” God bless the Pontiff.
“Growing Families:” There has been a huge surge in pet adoptions since the pandemic began - a true silver lining that will last a lifetime. In a year of turmoil and despair, Man’s Best Friend joining a family goes a long way to making things … just right. Happy New Year!
Look for the “Year’s Biggest Losers” next week.