Covid-19 – What we should have done!

Posted on by Opher

The fact that we have this virus is not unexpected. We have known it was coming for decades.

Pandemics/epidemics are not uncommon. There have been a number in recent times – SARS, MERS, Swine Flu, Avian Flu, Spanish Flu, Ebola. There have been many science papers written, a huge number of dystopian novels and films and a general understanding that the big one was coming.

Covid-19 isn’t even the big one. It only kills about 1% (if treatment is available). The really big one will kill 99%.

So what should they have done (our beloved politicians).

  1. They should have prepared.
  2. They should have set up agencies to look into it.
  3. They should have made contingency plans.
  4. They should have funded research into viruses (instead of weapons).
  5. They should have created effective generic antivirals (we have none).
  6. They should have taken research out of the hands of companies and into the hands of governments.
  7. They should have developed global strategies and cooperation.
  8. They should have stockpiled protective clothing.
  9. They should have stockpiled beds, ventilators and drugs.
  10. They should have had facilities to make testing kits.
  11. They should have tested, isolated and followed up all contacts.
  12. They should have had robust contingency plans.
  13. They should fund health properly and have sufficient staff and facilities – with clear guidelines on how to expand should the need arise.
  14. They should have stopped these ‘wet’ wildlife markets.
  15. They should have stopped the opening up of our remote areas by hunters and loggers (that’s where these diseases come from).

In earthquake and tsunami areas they have plans. Why not with a virus?

South Korea did exactly this! The UK, USA, Italy and Spain did not. Result – tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths!

What is going to happen when the big one actually arrives????

Will we be ready or more of this false economy and complacency? This short-term thinking and stupidity??

If I can think of it then it should not be beyond governments to think about it. Scientists have been shouting long and loud. Nobody was listening!!

Incompetence and complacency rules!!

 

8 thoughts on “Covid-19 – What we should have done!”

  1. Both sides of the great puddle, the government’s arrogance, delay, complacency and incompetent response is laid bare for the world to see. It is an unmitigated disaster costing thousands of people their lives.

    Lest we not forget Exercise Cygnus, the U.K’s cross-government pandemic drill undertaken in 2016, which revealed critical shortcomings in the preparedness of the U.K to successfully manage a major flu pandemic.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/02/labour-urges-government-publish-findings-2016-pandemic-drill

    Today we read of draconian measures, in the U.K and U.S, preventing some healthcare professions from speaking out about their coronavirus work: the truth silenced so that failings within the system are not exposed.

    It is suggested that the consequences of not taking drastic action to prevent Climate Change will be severe if not devastating, but yet, no effective, long-term, significant action is being taken.

    We are heading for global disaster. There is no vision for the future when led by blind ignorance.

    DN

    DN

    1. It is all politics Dewin – short-term policies, obfuscation and deceit, spin and lies. All these people care about is power, wealth and votes!
      A political term is five years. They don’t think beyond that. The policy is to strip things bare, make the most money in the shortest time and fuck the future.
      Hence planning for pandemics and climate change is given very short shrift.
      Disgusts me!!

  3. I couldn’t agree more. Indeed, f–k the future: it will always be someone else’s problem to deal with, but yet, the consequences of not taking preventative action will undeniably include everyone on the planet as this C-19 pandemic demonstrates.

    A government of national unity is long overdue to meet this pandemic crisis head-on. The Tories are single-handedly inept and incapable of governing for the betterment of all let alone governing at this critical time.

    DN

    1. Quite agree Dewin. The Tories are pathetic! But would anybody want to go in with them and get themselves tainted?

      1. I see your point and mostly agree, however, indisputable, undeniable evidence of government’s many recent failures has already been laid bare for all to see. Their inadequacy and willful neglect is entirely their own. Now it’s time for damage limitation, and for collaboration, cooperation and damage limitation. The fabric of life as a whole has suffered not merely certain aspects of it: a government of national unity must surely be more representative of that whole than one serving only to line its own pockets and appease its financial backers.

        DN

      2. One would think so. But I think Labour are wary of being put in the same boat as the Tories and saddled with their failures!
        What we really need is a responsible government – but while most morons think they are doing a good job that will never happen!

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