The Government’s Mishandling of the Pandemic
By: Daniel Velasquez
The winter season and weather have set in, and the experts’ prophecy of a deadly winter is unfolding before our very eyes. Covid-19 cases in the United States are surging and are making an impact as many states are setting records for infections and hospitalizations.
The virus has exposed the government’s failures at the federal, state and local level. Through their actions, some have proven they are incapable of leading and providing for their constituents during a pandemic.
The government’s failure has exposed the American people to far-reaching consequences besides the virus itself. The effects of Covid-19 have been costly; there have been a total of 15 million cases and 286,443 deaths as of Dec.7.
The virus is taking a toll on small businesses, especially service-oriented businesses like restaurants, barbershops and nail salons. A small business survey by the Census shows that the pandemic has had either a large or moderate negative impact on 75.3% of businesses.
A local economic impact report by Yelp found that among businesses that were open March 1 and are now marked closed 97,966 of them are permanently closed and another 65,769 are temporarily closed. For the week ending on Nov. 28 there were 712,000 unemployment insurance claims down 75,000 from the previous week. The 712,000 claims is still very high, it is more than three times higher than the number of claims in March before the spike.
Downplaying of the virus and divisive statements from the president
From the very beginning Donald Trump downplayed the severity of the Coronavirus. In fact, he admitted it in an interview with Bob Woodward. Audio from the interview that was shared by the Washington Post shows reveals Trump told Woodward:
“To be honest with you, I wanted to always play it down...I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.”
Throughout the pandemic Trump has made statements and sent out tweets that are very divisive.
Trump has blamed the media and Democrats for inflaming the situation and mocked mask wearing. He has also publicly questioned and disagreed with Robert Redfield, head of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, over the effectiveness of masks compared to a vaccine and the timeline of when a vaccine might be available.
The statements, actions and lack of leadership has led some to believe that the pandemic is a hoax, blown out of proportion or that masks are ineffective. His rhetoric is dangerous and counterproductive; it encourages people to go against the guidelines that are in place to protect one another.
Congress is failing to provide Americans with sufficient economic relief
Both the new year and expiration date for many of the Covid-19 stimulus benefits are quickly approaching, and Congress has yet to pass a new relief package. Starting Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, many benefits Americans are depending on will begin to expire.
The weekly $600 unemployment checks via the CARES Act ran out in July and now the $300 weekly bonus unemployment check via Donald Trump’s executive order is set to end. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for the self employed and gig workers, eviction moratorium and federal student loan deferment are all set expire.
A bipartisan group in Congress revealed an underwhelming, but much needed $908 billion Covid-19 relief bill. Negotiations have reached a political stalemate. A corporate liability shield and state and local aid are the two elements hindering the bill from being passed.
Mitch McConnell has been adamant about the bill containing a corporate liability shield which protects companies from Covid-19 related lawsuits. McConnell and Republicans senators are against state and local aid. They claim it is a bailout for poorly ran blue states and rewards them with federal money to use as they wish.
McConnell released a statement saying he is willing to drop the corporate liability shield if Democrats drop state and local aid. Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer declined McConnell’s proposal.
Although state and local aid is vital and the $908 billion package does not provide enough for the millions of Americans struggling, McConnell's compromise at the moment is the best chance of providing Americans with some type of help.
Many Americans are upset with House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi and for good reason. Some Americans feel Pelosi has been playing politics with people's lives. Before the election, Donald Trump proposed a $1.8 trillion Covid-19 relief package.
Pelosi rejected the package claiming it did not meet her terms. Some speculated Pelosi rejected the package for political reasons, for fear of Trump gaining support ahead of the election.
Now, a month removed from the presidential election, Pelosi says she supports a smaller Covid-19 relief package because of a “new president and a vaccine.” Pelosi has been adamant about a $2 trillion Covid-19 relief package and is now suddenly content with one half that amount at a time when the number of Covid-19 infections and people filing for unemployment are surging.
Americans are quickly becoming fed up with Congress due to their lack of compassion, leadership and inability to pass a Covid-19 relief bill. Congress does not seem to care about the millions of struggling Americans.
From the very beginning with the CARES Act, Congress has turned a blind eye to Americans. The CARES Act put large corporations before Americans. Corporations received millions in tax refunds, leaving crumbs for small businesses and everyone else.
While Congress is negotiating the $908 billion Covid-19 relief package that does not include direct payment to Americans or hazard pay to essential workers, corporations are still receiving millions in tax refunds from the CARES Act.
Americans are frustrated and disgusted by Congress and it is reflected in many surveys. Results from a Dec. 12 survey of 1,900 registered voters Congress had a net approval rating of -20, in regards to their handling of the virus. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, United Nations, World Health Organization and Donald Trump all had a higher approval rating.
State and local lockdowns, tough restrictions and leaders' display of hypocrisy.
Covid-19 cases and deaths are once again on the rise and at their worst since the beginning of the pandemic. The solution for many states has been lockdowns and restrictions. A Gallup poll shows that Americans are less likely to hunker down for another lockdown. According to the poll 67% were very likely to shelter in place back in late March/early April compared to only 49% likely in late October/early November.
A huge factor for the 67% approval of the initial lockdown was Americans were set to receive economic relief in the form of stimulus checks, unemployment benefits and the eviction moratorium.
Americans are now over six months removed since the $2 trillion stimulus package and have not received any checks since then. In that time thousands of businesses have closed, millions are taking some form of unemployment benefit and behind on rent.
There is no doubt that the rise in Covid-19 cases is bad, but imposing unfunded or underfunded lockdowns is not the solution. State-wide lockdowns and tough restrictions without economic relief forces those with the least economic margin for error to risk their business, savings, home, etc.
More than once, leaders at the state and local level have displayed hypocrisy and favoritism in their mandates for lockdowns and restrictions. Mayor of Austin Steve Alder urged people to stay home in a video he filmed from Cabo San Lucas after hosting a wedding the day prior.
Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom was spotted at a dinner party not following his own Covid-19 guidelines he set for the state. Sheila Kuehl, a Los Angeles County Supervisor was seen enjoying a meal outdoors just hours after she voted to ban outdoor dining.
Angela Marsden, owner of Pineapple Hill Saloon and Grill, voices her frustration and sheds light on the blatant favoritism in the enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions, in a video posted on Instagram. Marsden spent thousands of dollars to meet Covid-19 health guidelines for outdoor dining but was ultimately shut down.
She went to social media when she saw that a production company with a similar setup was able provide outdoor dining for its employees right outside her bar and grill. This type of hypocrisy and favoritism is seen all throughout the country wherever lockdowns and tough restrictions are in place.
A local bar or restaurant that does not follow the guidelines can be fined and even have their license revoked while leaders who display hypocrisy get away without facing any real consequences.
Many Americans are desperate for help in the form of economic relief and leadership in the handling of the virus without destroying their lives. Politicians on both ends of the spectrum need to set their egos and differences aside and work together before the effects of the pandemic become long-lasting or even irreversible.