Not just in the USA. This piece looks at China, where the CCP's ironically named "Public Safety Bureau" shut up the medical professionals trying to warn people, and the government didn't take strident measures until millions had left Wuhan, the epicenter, for the Lunar new year celebrations, as well as the USA and every misstep the government made from the first week in January.
And in customary Frontline fashion, this 90 minute segment talks to public health professionals from all over the world. It does focus on the pandemic in four countries though - China, the USA, Italy, and Iran. I was particularly struck by how precious time was lost. What we now know as Covid19 was in the president's daily briefings starting in January, and yet nothing was done. When something was done it was an "America First" campaign for the CDC to make its own test kits that within a week of release were found to be faulty and had to be recalled. What HAS happened to the CDC?
In the end it has something to say without saying it on several fronts. First, ordinary people just don't want to be told something they don't want to know - like a microbe is going to turn their way of life upside down. That was true globally. Second, for them to be our mortal enemy, Iran and the US reacted remarkably similarly to the virus. That is to say,they didn't react. Not until it was too late. And in both cases it was for all kind of cultural and religious reasons that people said "it can't happen here". Finally, maybe you do want a president who has some experience in government. When the plane is cruising in clear weather anybody can autopilot. In a pounding storm with the plane headed towards the mountain, you need a seasoned pilot in charge.
Ultimately - the virus just doesn't care what you think. I highly recommend this informative comprehensive piece on Covid, Act One.
And in customary Frontline fashion, this 90 minute segment talks to public health professionals from all over the world. It does focus on the pandemic in four countries though - China, the USA, Italy, and Iran. I was particularly struck by how precious time was lost. What we now know as Covid19 was in the president's daily briefings starting in January, and yet nothing was done. When something was done it was an "America First" campaign for the CDC to make its own test kits that within a week of release were found to be faulty and had to be recalled. What HAS happened to the CDC?
In the end it has something to say without saying it on several fronts. First, ordinary people just don't want to be told something they don't want to know - like a microbe is going to turn their way of life upside down. That was true globally. Second, for them to be our mortal enemy, Iran and the US reacted remarkably similarly to the virus. That is to say,they didn't react. Not until it was too late. And in both cases it was for all kind of cultural and religious reasons that people said "it can't happen here". Finally, maybe you do want a president who has some experience in government. When the plane is cruising in clear weather anybody can autopilot. In a pounding storm with the plane headed towards the mountain, you need a seasoned pilot in charge.
Ultimately - the virus just doesn't care what you think. I highly recommend this informative comprehensive piece on Covid, Act One.
