It has been with some horrified fascination that I have been watching the COVID-19 pandemic unfold in the United States. It’s like witnessing a slow-motion train wreck — it scares you but you can’t seem to look away.
The United States should have been the best prepared nation in the world to handle the crisis. They have the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, the premier facility of its kind, staffed with the world’s best and brightest. They had a warning that the epidemic was coming; it started on the other side of the world.
The United States should have been the best prepared nation in the world to handle the crisis.
If this were to be characterized as a race, you could say that the U.S. was driving the Ferrari, in the pole position., and they let Mr. Magoo drive. He crashed in the first corner.
Due to its economic status, the United States attracts brilliant people from all corners of the globe. They have some of the world’s best hospitals, research centres, software development, innovators, etc. Yet with all of these resources, the U.S. can’t even seem to implement the most basic strategies to contain the virus.
The damage being done in terms of death and monetary costs are being documented. The damage to its reputation around the world? Only time will tell.
Terry Stead
Musgravetown