CONTROL OF THE APOCALYPTIC CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT VITAL SIGNS OR DOLLAR SIGNS?

“We don’t get to choose our difficulties, but we do have the freedom to select our response.”– Victor Franki

With the sudden appearance of the deadly COVID- 19 coronavirus pandemic, it has become very clear to all nations of the world that there are bigger forces in nature that are beyond our control. This virus recognizes no borders, nationalities, egos, political affiliations, power grabs, alpha-male psychology dominated leaderships, self- interests or get rich quick schemes.

Mother Nature is much more powerful than all of the countries with their institutions, their economic power and political, monetary and health care systems. Mother Nature can destroy everything they have with an invisible biologic enemy. The COVID – 19 pandemic is a stark warning by Mother Nature that Planet Earth belongs to every living creature. Life on earth is interdependent and belongs to everyone, regardless of who or what they are. Scientific facts, truth, honesty, humility, caring, cooperation, compassion and responsibility always matter.

Today, the entire population of the USA and the world are anxious, tense, worried and fearful about what is going to happen to them. There are three main opinions circulating in the USA as to how to approach and how to control this deadly pandemic.

The first idea is since we don’t have any medications or vaccines to control this infection, we should let it run its natural course. We should do nothing and continue working as usual to prevent the shuttering of our economy, unemployment, poverty, hunger and death. This opinion is that the infection should spread so that vulnerable people would get sick and die, until a “herd- immunity” develops and the infection ceases. This loss of human life is considered collateral damage in a war. Every war has an acceptable collateral damage. In a sense, this is what our ancient ancestors practiced, Social Darwinism-the survival of the fittest.

I think this idea is nothing more than a fantasy. It will cause millions of deaths and overwhelm and devastate the health care system and hospitals. Luckily, this idea is supported only by a few greedy and heartless politicians and business people who only see dollar signs in anything they do. They are unable to see that human life is sacred, priceless and has its own vital signs.

The second opinion is that since there are not enough testing kits to test the entire population, we have no choice but to isolate the entire population. This is done by closing businesses, schools, large public gatherings like sporting events and our borders, for at least 4 to 6 weeks to prevent the spreading of infection. This is what is being done in every country right now. India forced the self–isolation of its entire 1.3 billion population. The economy can bounce back when the pandemic is under control. Of course, if we can’t test everybody, we don’t know who is infected. Massive isolation efforts can only prevent outdoor infections.

The third opinion is to declare an emergency war act, order all manufacturing companies to produce testing kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), like N95 respiratory masks, surgical masks, eye shields, gowns, gloves and respirators so that every person could be tested and protected and the sick can be identified and safely treated. Those who do not have the infection could go back to work. Those who tested positive and are not symptomatic, would either self isolate, shelter-at–home or quarantine in dedicated places.

To me, the third option is the best way to go. It is a win–win situation, as seen in S. Korea and Germany. Unfortunately, we have neglected to be prepared for this pandemic. The world is never going to be the same after this chaos caused by COVID-19 is over. As I See It, present world leaders needed a blunt lesson to change.