Because of our president's (lower case because he doesn't deserve the respect of upper case) cowardice, narcissism, or stupidity -- or all three -- there was no coordinated, national effort to quarantine in the early days of this pandemic. Decisions for limited or complete quarantines were left to the Governors. Some, notably Democrats, like NY's Andrew Cuomo and CA's Gavin Newsom shut things down pretty early. Other states on each coast followed in a timely manner.
The South and the Midwest, with more often than not Republican Governors who were tied to the president's coat tails, were much slower. Florida's Governor didn't want to interfere with Spring Break -- and hundreds of college students returned to their home states carrying the virus with them. Louisiana's Governor didn't want to interfere with Mardi Gras. Economics took precedence over Public Health.
Now that NY and CA are showing some slowing of new virus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, the latecomer Governors, and a coordinated cohort of GOP toadies, are calling for all stay at home orders to be lifted. Even in the states with later closures which are still showing huge rises in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths! Open up the Economy, no matter how many people may die needlessly. Georgia intends a slow, phased in re-opening, starting with hair salons, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys!
The most cogent meme trending these days is something about how, since your rate of descent is slowing, now would be a good time to cut the straps of your parachute. Never mind that you are still 2500 feet above the ground.
People who know what is going on have, for years, decried the state of education in the US. Never has that been more evident than now. The average person has no understanding of civics, public health, history or even basic mathematics.
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