Why do we need to defeat Donald Trump and ensure that a Democrat occupies the White House? Let’s next consider pandemic response.
When COVID hit the U.S., we had a well-established, science- based plan to prevent massive loss of life. We knew from past experience that, in the absence of an effective treatment or vaccine, the only known ways to prevent pandemic viral disease spread and prevent deaths were social isolation i.e. quarantine, closure of public venues, disinfection and masking. Cities that had adopted these measures during the 1919 influenza pandemic and polio epidemics experienced lower mortality. We now had masks that were far more effective in preventing inhalation of viruses. Simultaneously, we would support scientific efforts to develop new anti-viral drugs and create, mass manufacture and distribute an effective vaccine. Democrats, under the leadership of Joseph Biden and employees of the Centers for Disease Control, CDC did all of these things.
Unfortunately, their life-saving efforts were undercut at every step by the right, specifically including Donald Trump and Republican elected officials. The right fought all efforts to control social gathering, insisting on the right to attend church, oppose distant learning, and temporarily shutter businesses. Part of this opposition was based upon economics. Money was more important than prevention of death from infection. Perhaps a larger part was just pure stupidity and craziness. This latter was exemplified by a president who publicly recommended ineffective worm medicine (Ivermectin), Chloroquin and even ingestion or injection of antiseptics. The results were catastrophic. The disease spread like wildfire, effecting disproportionately those whose jobs forced them into danger. Hospitals were overwhelmed. The elderly suffered most, but the death rate was also terrible among young healthy individuals.
Science and industry responded in an astonishingly effective feat, producing safe and effective vaccines in record time and making it available to the most vulnerable. Astonishingly, Republicans and fringe whackos opposed vaccination as well, spreading disinformation. Republicans also stoked widespread opposition to masking.
In the end, the measures introduced by Joseph Biden and his administration brought the epidemic to a halt but more than a million Americans had died. The effect of Republican opposition to good public health is reflected by statistical evidence demonstrating that COVID deaths were substantially higher in areas where voters backed Trump – a direct consequence of following right wing views trumpeted on Fox News and not heeding the advice of responsible public health officials.
Have Republicans learned anything from their pandemic errors? Absolutely not. They dragged Anthony Fauci before an Congressional committee and pilloried him. Their planned response to an electoral victory in 2025 will be to gut the effectiveness of the CDC. Another of their current cynical programs is to provide funding for fringe anti-vaccination candidates like Robert Kennedy, to lure those who cannot stomach Trump away from voting for a Democratic candidate.
A Trump victory is an existential threat to the public health. There are far more dangerous infectious diseases out there in the world, for example bird flu, potentially much more lethal than COVID. In a Republican administration the result could be catastrophic.
Have a heart and vote for Democratic candidates – across the ballot – in November.