The United States is amidst an unprecedented crisis that is affecting people of all backgrounds but especially the less fortunate. The coronavirus has shut down places where people look to escape their daily lives like movie theaters, malls, and restaurants. It’s safe to say many of us will remember this time for the rest of our lives. I know I will.
If you don’t know me, my name is Griffin Winter and I am a junior at Brophy. I am also a Type 1 Diabetic, which means I am one of the many people across the nation who are immunocompromised. This means myself and many others are in more danger due to the coronavirus. While I have done my best to prevent getting infected, many people in positions of power across the United States are putting my life and the lives of others in jeopardy. However, some people have no choice but to go into work and possibly risk getting sick just to support themselves.
The Trump administration has done a terrible job managing this crisis. It has ignored warning sign after warning sign and Trump has allowed his ego get in the way of saving lives. In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News on Feb. 2, President Trump said “We pretty much shut it down coming in from China.” Later in February, he continued downplaying the virus. “Looks like by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.”
Early on, the President was downplaying the danger of the virus which has led to many people saying that this virus is like the common flu when it isn’t. According to Business Insider “While about 0.1% of people who get the flu die, the coronavirus’ global death rate is about 4.7%, based on the current numbers of cases and deaths. However, the death rate of the coronavirus fluctuates constantly and varies strongly by country.” The virus still remains contagious, however.
What is truly concerning is how other nations have dealt with the virus. South Korea has employed strict social distancing guidelines and according to an article by John McCormack at the National Review, the country has had no new domestic cases of COVID-19. South Korea and the United States both had their first cases of COVID on Jan. 20, but South Korea now reports zero new cases from people who were quarantined in the country. At some point, we have to look at our own country and realize how we have failed in containing the spread of the virus compared to other first world countries.
COVID-19 has shown everyone in America that things need to change. The richest country on earth was left blindsided by a virus with early warning signs from health officials across the world. This virus has taught many people in America that their life doesn’t matter compared to how much they can boost the economy. I hope this crisis helps everyone in America realize that no matter how small or big the job is, we all matter. No big business or politician can take away our inherent intrinsic value as people.
People all across the country, in all sorts of roles, need to stay strong and remember when all of this is over, to hold the people who prolonged this virus to be held accountable. If not for people who are healthy, do it for people who can’t help being having a predisposed illness like myself.
