All Systems to Full Gear to Fight COVID-19 in the United States

Reading between the lines of statements given by experts, leaders and commentators with respect to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), it should be accepted by now that the United States (US) is facing an even greater battle with the pathogen than that which is current at hand. Simply put: things will get worse before they get better.

Yet, some comfort is offered via recent signs that the Donald Trump administration has finally made all systems operational to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Numerous States from New York, to New Jersey, to Connecticut, to Ohio, to Maryland, to Virginia, to Michigan, to Washington, to California and others, in lieu of federal leadership, were left to take on the responsibility and leadership to hedge, to contain and to mitigate the spreading virus. 

On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined his State's actions to combat COVID-19 along with stark warnings of what is scientifically forthcoming. He called on the Federal government to step up its efforts to assist the States in fighting the virus. He specifically called on the Trump administration to utilize the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to stabilize an anticipated hospital surge capacity generated from the impact of COVID-19. Earlier today, Cuomo confirmed an established partnership with the Federal government to work against the virus. Later, in a briefing at the White House, President Trump appeared to acknowledge the need for greater federal involvement as asked by the States in the efforts against COVID-19.

Federal response had been slow in responding to the Novel Coronavirus in the US. Testing was low. Tests kits were not readily available. There seemed to be no coordinated Federal plan to fight the virus. These failing came after key events in the evolution of Novel Coronavirus: on December 31, 2019, the People's Republic of China (PRC), first reported the Novel Coronavirus to the World Health Organization (WHO). On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the epidemic a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On February 11, 2020, the virus received its official name, COVID-19. And on March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic after the epidemic had spread to more than 100 countries and infected more than 100,000 people and killed thousands, mainly within China.

Finally, earlier today, and confirmed with obligatory remarks to the Trump administration from New York's Governor Cuomo with confirmation coming in a later Press briefing at the White House, the Federal government appears to have activated all systems to full gear to fight COVID-19. American infections now number 4,470 with 95 deaths.