How The US Could Be So Badly Hit By COVID-19

Photo illustration (Andy Feliciotti / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - COVID-19 is spreading fast. Various countries in the world must face the increasing death rate due to the new corona virus. The United States (US) is one of the most affected countries, even with the highest cases in the world.

The number of deaths that continues to rise every day makes various states in the US overwhelmed. One example is in Texas. Health officials asked the US Federal Emergency Administration (FEMA) to provide a refrigerated truck to store the bodies that could no longer be accommodated in hospitals.

In addition, Texas, whose governor was the first to support the re-opening of economic activity, extended a disaster declaration. Many states have also failed to reopen activities.

Launching CNN, Monday, July 13, there are two factors why the COVID-19 rate is increasing. One of the most dangerous myths is that you have to choose between defeating the pandemic or restoring the economy.

Another factor is that US President Trump is doing everything he can to evoke a sense of normality to return to winning the US Presidential seat. Trump pushed for the opening of activities in the belief that it would power the economy.

Many governors in various states were quick to comply. The reopening created economic activity, but was followed by an explosion in the numbers and deaths of COVID-19, which demanded that it resume closures.

Yet a study on the 1918 flu pandemic from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that US cities that took the fastest and most aggressive actions to reduce the spread were experiencing the strongest economic growth. Without the necessary steps such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, etc., the virus spreads like wildfire on a dry brush.

This will actually burn the economy if it doesn't act. It becomes especially clear when cases spike, according to the severe predictions of epidemiologists who warn that it was a deadly mistake to reopen activities.

Trump's confidence

However, in a precarious situation like this, Trump still feels all is well. He often said, "I think we are in a good place," when one expert warned that the United States was on the path to 'the most unstable state in history' due to overwhelmed hospitals, exhausted and sick medics, and an outside pandemic. control with a soaring death rate.

Trump calmly claims that 99 percent of COVID-19 cases are "completely harmless." Trump also bucked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for schools.

Epidemiologists from the CDC said that schools and universities pose the "highest risk," for the spread of COVID-19. US Vice President Mike Pence, trying to pressure the CDC to rewrite the guidelines, because it is considered too harsh. But CDC Director Robert Redfield refused to do so.

Trump seems to believe he can somehow persuade the US to ignore the virus and pretend to be happy. But Americans have their own judgment, which is why the Ipsos survey shows that 67 percent of Americans disagree with Trump's handling of the pandemic.

Whereas previously this figure was at 57 percent which was the highest. This 57 percent figure is a poll when the situation in the US was not as severe as it is today.