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I’m brushing my teeth in the morning.
For a moment, I glance up at myself in the mirror. A thought occurs to me.
How different could my life have been?
No matter. I’m just happy I’m here now.
In this world I know.
Things could have been so much worse... 1/
For a moment, I glance up at myself in the mirror. A thought occurs to me.
How different could my life have been?
No matter. I’m just happy I’m here now.
In this world I know.
Things could have been so much worse... 1/
It began with a late night phone call in December of 2019.
An ophthalmologist in China, Li Wenliang, at Wuhan Central Hospital was sounding the alarm about a new SARS-like illness.
The information was passed along appropriate channels in the U.S., with urgency. 2/
An ophthalmologist in China, Li Wenliang, at Wuhan Central Hospital was sounding the alarm about a new SARS-like illness.
The information was passed along appropriate channels in the U.S., with urgency. 2/
The Global Health Security and Biodefense Unit, in the National Security Council, sprang into action.
Years of simulations and preparedness tests resulted in a smooth and coordinated response.
Nevermind that data was still scant.
They knew the stakes. 3/
Years of simulations and preparedness tests resulted in a smooth and coordinated response.
Nevermind that data was still scant.
They knew the stakes. 3/
A novel respiratory pathogen had reared its head before. Fortunately MERS and SARS had failed to gain a foothold in America, but they couldn’t just hope for the best.
As reports of deaths from viral pneumonia started to surge in China, plans were initiated. 4/
As reports of deaths from viral pneumonia started to surge in China, plans were initiated. 4/
Transparency with the citizenry was key.
As details of the transmissibility of the virus became clearer, our government was quick to inform us of the growing danger.
The message was consistent and clear.
“This is the real thing, it’s dangerous, and we have plans in place.” 5/
As details of the transmissibility of the virus became clearer, our government was quick to inform us of the growing danger.
The message was consistent and clear.
“This is the real thing, it’s dangerous, and we have plans in place.” 5/
As reports of the disease spread outside China, travel was immediately limited, with worldwide travel bans being put into effect and intensive screening.
Research agencies and centers rapidly concentrated their efforts on working with the WHO on effective testing methodology. 6/
Research agencies and centers rapidly concentrated their efforts on working with the WHO on effective testing methodology. 6/
The logistical machinery of the country focused on PPE production and intensive care capacity.
Meanwhile messaging was going out to the citizens, encouraging us to socially distance, wash our hands.
People with area-specific expertise led the response on every level. 7/
Meanwhile messaging was going out to the citizens, encouraging us to socially distance, wash our hands.
People with area-specific expertise led the response on every level. 7/
When the first case in the U.S. was detected, the second phase of the plan kicked in.
A nationwide quarantine effort, until testing could establish the data.
A mandatory rent freeze was put in place, along with freezes on all debt collections and mortgage payments. 8/
A nationwide quarantine effort, until testing could establish the data.
A mandatory rent freeze was put in place, along with freezes on all debt collections and mortgage payments. 8/
The USPS, together with a nationwide framework of suppliers, switched their role and started delivering groceries and meals to those who needed them.
Strict social distancing and mask-wearing rules were implemented, with enforcement.
Mandatory COVID-19 testing began. 9/
Strict social distancing and mask-wearing rules were implemented, with enforcement.
Mandatory COVID-19 testing began. 9/
The government began paying its citizens a biweekly installment of money, while corporations received loans, not bailouts.
Using widespread, accurate, and cheap testing, a contact tracing system was initiated.
Most people used an app on their phone to work with the tracing. 10/
Using widespread, accurate, and cheap testing, a contact tracing system was initiated.
Most people used an app on their phone to work with the tracing. 10/
Even though very few people were dying, and the spread appeared to be contained, the nationwide lockdown continued.
People understood why because the messaging was consistent and clear. Data was presented daily, nationwide.
The most vulnerable were focused on. 11/
People understood why because the messaging was consistent and clear. Data was presented daily, nationwide.
The most vulnerable were focused on. 11/
Nursing homes, homeless shelters, poverty-stricken areas, jails. Pandemic response teams brought food, clean clothes, sanitizers, monetary relief.
Hotels were repurposed.
With millions of COVID tests being carried out, the disease was successfully stopped in its spread. 12/
Hotels were repurposed.
With millions of COVID tests being carried out, the disease was successfully stopped in its spread. 12/
We knew when it was safe to relax the lockdown because our testing showed us exactly where the pockets of virus were circulating.
Even as we returned to work, we kept testing.
It relieved the uncertainty. We knew the parameters of what we were dealing with. 13/
Even as we returned to work, we kept testing.
It relieved the uncertainty. We knew the parameters of what we were dealing with. 13/
Through it all nobody once thought to bring politics into it.
Because we cared for each other, and our government cared for us, we actually came together during the lockdown.
People didn’t put their faith in conspiracies.
The data was clear, and we were being careful. 14/
Because we cared for each other, and our government cared for us, we actually came together during the lockdown.
People didn’t put their faith in conspiracies.
The data was clear, and we were being careful. 14/
The modeling simulations showed us how many hundreds of thousands of lives we were saving. We were glad to do our part.
PPE was never in shortage.
New treatments were tried carefully, and treated skeptically until randomized trials took place.
The science led the policy. 15/
PPE was never in shortage.
New treatments were tried carefully, and treated skeptically until randomized trials took place.
The science led the policy. 15/
Mercifully the Second Surge was caught quickly with the testing, and localized quarantining efforts successfully crushed the viral circulation.
By the time the first effective vaccines were announced, COVID-19 in America was almost an afterthought.
We had made it through. 16/
By the time the first effective vaccines were announced, COVID-19 in America was almost an afterthought.
We had made it through. 16/
Through it all, our leadership had functioned with clarity and vision, always understanding that a government’s first and only responsibility is to its citizens.
Regulatory agencies regulated.
Research agencies researched.
Everyone communicated.
Everyone cared. 17/
Regulatory agencies regulated.
Research agencies researched.
Everyone communicated.
Everyone cared. 17/
I’m so grateful all these things happened. Because I think about all the people who could have died.
I try to imagine an America where thousands were dying from COVID-19 every day, and I just can’t do it.
I’m so glad we came together, that we weren’t let down. 18/
I try to imagine an America where thousands were dying from COVID-19 every day, and I just can’t do it.
I’m so glad we came together, that we weren’t let down. 18/
I finish brushing my teeth, and rinse my mouth.
And I feel the bridge of my nose throb where the mask presses in.
And I feel my heart ache.
And I feel my tears sting.
And I sense the tens of thousands of empty spaces in our lives.
I return to this world I know.
And I feel the bridge of my nose throb where the mask presses in.
And I feel my heart ache.
And I feel my tears sting.
And I sense the tens of thousands of empty spaces in our lives.
I return to this world I know.
