USA vs Covid-19: A Country At War
Covid-19. The pandemic that has literally changed our entire world. Social distancing, unemployment and a global economic crisis detailing our intricate mutual connectedness on all levels of business and society.
The words and effects have spread, like the virus itself, everywhere. There is no place to hide from this reality. Personal “rights” are bowing to the rights of society as whole. Borders between countries, counties and cities closing in an historic effort to save lives. To survive. Governments around the world are stepping in with unprecedented aid slashing all previous political agendas in a wake-up call of a shocked comprehension that without their citizens there may be little need for politicians. Society is heading for a major re-evaluation.
Meanwhile, in the US, a political battle rages on. it stumbles through historical party affiliations and a lack of cohesive, aware leadership. Citizens are demanding answers. An internal Red vs Blue antagonism is costing lives in a rising body count that will leave politicians accountable for generations.
On March 27th, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed through the House of Representatives. It bears an estimated cost of approximately $8 billion. This is the largest Federal relief response package ever in the USA. It took two months after the initial case was first diagnosed on January 20, 2020 to pass. To date, the US now has the most confirmed cases in the world and ranks 3rd, moving to 2nd in the number of total deaths. And, to date, still lacks cohesive nationwide testing.
The updated package builds upon the earlier foundations of the CARES Act of 2014 and aimed to be a next round of federal government support in the wake of the coronavirus health crisis and economic fallout, succeeding the previous $8.3 billion in public health support passed under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
With the inclusion of free Covid-19 testing, paid sick leave, expanded unemployment, Medicaid and food assistance unprecedented in US history, Americans felt a glimmer of hope. But as the two primary political parties rant on and the fine print details are read, an understanding of how truly fractured both the government and the country are is emerging. Patches of aid cannot stop the bleeding.
Battles within wars. Companies vs employees. Citizens vs “aliens”. Individual States vs the Federal government. Caveats requiring each State to sign on prior to their citizens receiving the benefits. State guidelines differing on who and how to collect those Federal benefits.
A picture illustrating that this is not a single nation, but 50 different “state-countries”. Of laws and directives that break down from Federal to State to county to city… A nation at war with itself in a time of deadly need. ( See*1.)
As the US braces for an onslaught of horror and broken dreams, gun stores have been declared an essential service industry along with groceries. A single direct payment of $1200 per citizen (with caveats) will not stem the economic crisis nor hedge the growing fear. As people begin to understand that without a cohesive Federal government and strong leadership, the people here may truly be on their own and fighting for their lives against more that Covid-19. As never before, in the eyes of the world, this country will be tested and judged on how it behaves and survives in the coming months.
Originally Published: April 2020
