Bernie Sanders: We need scientists, not politicians, in charge of the coronavirus response

[Uncle Joe]

President Trump’s response to the coronavirus has been incompetent, political and reckless. He has given wrong and misleading information about the outbreak, wasted precious time playing petty politics, and called the criticism of his coronavirus response a hoax. Even worse, he is all but ignoring the recommendations of scientists and public health professionals — the experts we must rely upon if we are to successfully address the pandemic.

In the midst of a global healthcare crisis, how could anybody gain public confidence by appointing Mike Pence to lead the coronavirus task force — a politician with no scientific background. We need a president who believes in science and listens to scientists. We need a president who is for expanding — not cutting — funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). And we need a president who believes in American leadership that works with our international partners in the World Health Organization (WHO), and other entities that deal with global health.

(snip)

Here is some of what must be done: the Senate must approve and Trump must sign the bipartisan emergency funding passed by the House, and the administration should provide any additional resources needed by state and local agencies on the frontlines of this effort. To measure the scope of the outbreak, the CDC and other agencies must have the ability to conduct thorough “contact tracing” investigations, so we know who has been exposed and whether they are spreading the disease. Hospitals and clinics must get ahead of this virus by increasing their intensive care unit (ICU), ventilator, and staffing capacity to prepare for a potential surge in cases. And since people who live in close living quarters are especially vulnerable, we must focus attention on institutions like nursing and long-term care facilities to both minimize transmission risk and address the healthcare needs of residents in the event of an outbreak.

(snip)

Universal health care is a must

When we are dealing with the spread of a deadly virus, the first thing scientists tell us is that it is imperative for anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms to go to a doctor. But, as a result of our dysfunctional healthcare system, tens of millions of Americans are uninsured or underinsured and do not seek medical attention when they need it because they cannot afford it. The Trump administration must make clear that, until we pass universal health care, as every major country on earth has done, all Americans right now should be able to receive the medical care they need, without worrying about the cost. If we are to stop the spread of this disease, everybody should get the medical treatment they need regardless of their income.

(snip)


https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/05/bernie-sanders-scientists-coronavirus-outbreak-not-politicians-column/4938730002/

[George II]

1. Wha? How many scientists implement government policy?

[peoli]

2. You're right, evangelicals should be in charge

[Laserio]

3. very true

Too many hacks out there