By: Jack Buchanan
This is the fourth in our series of weekly articles about the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a brief update of important developments since last week which are supported by uncontroverted facts upon which we can rely. To review previous articles, click here.
Three things are important to take note of this week:
1. Covid-19 is still as strong and mean as ever. Its potency is not reduced. it can hide in the bodies of the innocent and those who appear healthy. It is extremely contagious – and it is a ruthless killer. The only weapon against it is social distancing, good hygiene habits (hand washing) and protective gear if forced to work in tight quarters with others. It is up to each person, for their own safety and the safety of others, not to let their guard down by deviating from these safeguards.
2. Some governments, anxious to get their economies back up and running again, are lessening restrictions, and encouraging people to get back to work. This is being done with no testing yet to separate the sick from the healthy. Though the restrictions are being reduced, the dangers have not been. Be careful. There is no substitute for knowing the truth and acting prudently – remember, you have the final vote.
3. There is some encouraging news that should be considered. The medical and pharmaceutical industries are working very hard and fast to develop weapons to help us beat this virus. A new medication called “Remdesivir,” a broad-spectrum antiviral medication developed by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, shows evidence in early testing of reducing Covid-19 symptoms in the seriously ill. Though inconclusive by a long shot, it could improve recoveries for those who become very ill with the virus.
What about the economies of the world? Are we dealing with a Catch-22? To save lives and protect the health of every human being, the rich and the poor alike, will we end up with devastated economies that may be even worse than the great depression?
Many of our leaders think so and are choosing between sacrificing human life and health to save the economy – thus the rush to reopen non-essential business without adequate screening tests to separate the sick from the vulnerable.
How do we feel about that? What would great leaders such as Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt, who dealt with even greater challenges, do about this if they were our leaders today. How about one of the most revered U.S. Presidents, Abraham Lincoln? What would he do? Great challenges are the proving grounds for great leaders. How will our leaders measure up after the dust settles? Only time will tell when the historians write their books.