Two years into the pandemic, we are still unprepared
Two years ago, our world changed forever when COVID-19 began spreading. It has reached communities, rich and poor, in all corners of the globe. More than 5 million people have died, and our world will never be the same. The Greek letters may have changed, but the fact is, this is not a new problem. Our federal government partnered with scientists and industry to develop vaccinations to help reduce the drastic and deadly effects of the virus. President Joe Biden has made vaccines readily available to everyone over the age of 5.
However, each time we see a new spike, it’s as if we didn’t see this coming. We are experiencing the most infectious strain in omicron, yet testing sites are reduced to bare bones with lines stretching several hours, monoclonal antibodies are hard to come by, and people are rushing to find a coveted rapid test on pharmacy shelves. We look like the Wild West. Despite being triple-vaccinated, I experienced minor cold-like symptoms and wanted to get tested to ensure I was not spreading the virus. Lines for Department of Health sites in Broward County stretched longer than a new ride at Disney, so I looked for alternatives. Friends on social media posted about the latest pop-up sites, which had varying levels of success. Finally, I found a private center and my family received the PCR tests we needed. I tested positive.
I managed to evade the virus for two years, but it finally got me. Luckily, my loved ones were all negative, but we rang in the New Year in quarantine to protect others. I heard from many friends in the area who were receiving positive results as well. My New Year’s resolution is to continue to remain vigilant and to help eradicate this virus. I hope our leaders resolve to do a better job protecting the people they serve.
This is the time when people rely on their government for organization, leadership and compassion. How is it possible that our governor and his team still do not have the foresight to prepare for emergencies like this? The virus does not distinguish between red or blue. Hospitals do not choose whom to treat based on your vaccination status. Our health care workers and first responders are exhausted, and we must support them. Rather than being a part of the solution, our governor refuses to share data about the number of people who are infected. Instead of sharing conspiracy theories and focusing on running for president in three years, our governor should order the National Guard to support testing immediately and bring it to a higher level of accessibility than ever before.
Our state health department must release its stockpiles of tests and reopen all testing sites. Two years later, they should be prepared to have them up and running in 24-48 hours, versus the weeks it takes each time we see a new spike in cases.
And the state should require health insurance companies to cover COVID-related expenses. We can and must do better for all of our communities, and we should elect leaders who put the priorities of their constituents above personal ambition.