Pandemic lessons to learn
The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic took the lives of an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 of the 350,000 New Mexicans. There was no Department of Health at the time.
Today, the United States, with just over 4 percent of the world’s population, accounts for just under 25 percent of coronavirus cases and deaths on the planet. As of this writing on July 18, our county has increased its caseload by 15 percent in just the past two days. The numbers are more than sobering.
Many things have been revealed. First and foremost, increasing incursions into (and destruction of) the habitat where bats and their viruses thrive has played out accordingly. Add to that a national government and health care system that is either unresponsive or unprepared, respectively.
And if this wasn’t bad enough, there are those individuals who really don’t believe in the severity of this moment or, instead, choose to politicize the situation. Yours or my beliefs hold no ground over someone else’s right to breathe without infection. This is a health issue and when it comes to survival, the way forward is together.
The “every state for themselves” approach has only been successful to the extent that there are strong governors in charge like Michelle Lujan Grisham and Andrew Cuomo who understand the true nature of the crisis and the responsibility of saving lives.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s approach was to shut down borders and begin widespread testing. Their case and death numbers approximate Hawaii’s current toll though the Aloha State has about one quarter the population of New Zealand. Ms. Ardern’s shrewdness had to do with her ability to create a unified and compassionate vision for the country. Politics was not a consideration. Arguing about where you want to sit on the life raft is, well, silly.
Currently, a United States citizen can travel to just 18 percent of the countries in the world. This is coupled with the larger world’s bewilderment at our quibbling over the use of face masks to minimize the spread of COVID-19. For those of you wondering about the decline of the American Empire, it’s now at hand. Even our own neighbors to the north and south have restrictions against us.
My concern is how the Taos area has become a perceived oasis to the rest of the infected world. As the Taos News reported last week, the sheriff’s department screened 1,600 cars driving from Colorado in two days. Half of those were from out of state. If you were or are one of those, hopefully you have either self-quarantined for the required 14 days [or] are just passing through – possibly [you are] infecting a resident. There is no mystery as to why our numbers have been rising so drastically.
When this community chooses to come together, it has been a model for how diversity and determination can work. So what’s to be done? A media campaign would go a long way to educate our visitors. Likeminded and cooperative approaches between town and county leaders along with public safety officers would set a good example.
Residents can play a large role in this process when communicating to out-ofstate friends who are considering traveling here. The same applies to the lodging community by informing potential guests of the current protocols. Maybe even consider taking a vacation at a nearby B&B. Everyone can support local businesses by eating via takeout and making a point to remember that some may not make it if we withhold our patronage.
Within every crisis is an opportunity to learn and grow. Part of that learning is coming to understand the perspective of the virus — that it makes no distinction between age, color or beliefs. Since it is ruthless, personal unrelenting vigilance is necessary. This includes looking out for your friends and neighbors. Even if our country insists on remaining divided, we as a community can come together for the welfare of each other.