The coronavirus seems to have brought out the best in most people and the worst in others.
On the national scene we see stories every day of health professionals doing their very best to analyze the situation and prescribe behavior the citizens should engage in as well as not engage in. Additionally, they are doing their best to get the needed materials to hospitals, state and city governments to permit them to cope with this pandemic. Ordinary citizens have done amazing things on their own to help others, many times to their own detriment. Many companies have stepped up and are producing needed items to help this country through this difficult time. We should all be very proud of how most of the people and companies have reacted to this crisis.
On the other hand, we have also seen a great deal of adherence to the mantra of “never let a good crisis go to waste.” Politicians and pundits have virtually attacked and criticized President Trump non-stop. When he closed travel from China they deemed it unneeded and unnecessary racist act. Six weeks later they claim he has blood on his hands and every death is due to his failure to act sooner. Every statement he makes is parsed and compared with what he said a few days or weeks ago. If a difference exists, the intent of their question is “were you lying then or are you lying now?” They don’t consider that as new information is received, one’s viewpoint and analysis changes as well.
If this medical crisis is not serious enough to cause people to set aside their political differences and only do what is in the best interests of the country to get us through this as quickly and safely as possible then, I don’t know what it will take. Instead of sniping at everything Trump does or says wouldn’t it be a breath of fresh air if all would work together to get us through this? It is so easy to look back and pontificate as to what should have been done. We are all geniuses with hindsight. But, just suppose Trump would have shut down all incoming flights from Europe and Asia, required the shelter in place, six foot spacing, closed the schools and all non-essential businesses on January 20. What would have been the response? My guess is universal condemnation from Democrats and from most Republicans.
Where does the bulk of the blame lie? I’d say with China. Its government lied about the extent and nature of the disease and permitted travel from infected areas out of China to spread the disease worldwide.
Let’s set aside rancor and political differences. Let’s all pull together. We just might discover that we have a lot more in common than what divides us.
—John L. Lengemann, Imlay City
