NEW YORK CITY, NY – This year, the world was swept with a global crisis straight out of a nightmare. Nations everywhere were left scrambling to find a way to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Some countries employed mandatory mask-wearing, while others forced citizens to quarantine. Here in America, most states have different agendas.
Some of the best responses have been from remote and isolated countries, such as Australia and New Zealand. In these two countries, both leaders deferred to scientists. Both island countries instituted a level four lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic, which means citizens may only interact with those in their home. After easing restrictions later in the pandemic but keeping borders closed, these island nations basically eliminated the disease.
America, however, has a much less effective plan. At a recent rally in Carson City, Nevada, President Trump explained that, “If I listened totally to the scientists, we would right now have a country that would be in a massive depression.” Different states in the U.S. have made different decisions as to lockdown measures and the maximum number of people in public places. For example, in New York, Governor Cuomo allows indoor dining at a maximum of twenty-five people and mandated that individuals over the age of two must wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible. In contrast, Florida governor Ron DeSantis decided to open all businesses and restaurants on September 25th, and made no restrictions on how many people may gather at a time.
A lawyer based in Lexington, Kentucky was able to give some insight into the american citizen’s perspective of the pandemic. “I think that the attempts to mitigate the spread of the virus would be more effective if wearing masks wasn’t so politicized.” He explained that this was the doing of our own government, as President Trump is known to mock those wearing masks. “I just wish people thought of wearing masks not as a political statement, but something we all have to endure.” Apparently, he has been frustrated recently with noncompliance among college students in his area. “But,” he says, “there is nothing to comply with. Our governor hasn’t really issued a helpful mandate.” He thinks that a federal law would be great, but, as a lawyer, doesn’t believe it would be possible. “I hope there will be a more centralized effort when Biden is elected,” he laments.
But what is Biden’s plan for mitigating the pandemic? According to Time Magazine, “Biden’s response was light on details… [but] boils down to ‘not Trump’s.’” The Biden-Harris campaign stated that they will “ramp up production of personal protection equipment,creating and investing $25 billion in a vaccine production and distribution that ensures free and equitable access, and testing as many people in a day that are currently tested in a week.” Biden claims to restore health and prosperity to America if he gets a chance to test his plan.
Sam,
Good work. The information you provide is clearly stated and you go beyond reciting facts to examining issues. Your article is balanced–when so many aren’t–because you call attention to weaknesses in both presidential candidates. I’m glad to read your work.