When Will the Chaos End?

Here in the United States and throughout world, we are engulfed by a crisis bigger more devastating than anything that has occurred since Second World War. The death rate from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections their complications States, alone, is today (November 23, 2020) 250,000 rising rapidly.1Coronavirus statistics. Available at:https://www.bing.com/search?q=What+is+the+current+COVID+death+total+in+the+US&form=ANNTH1&refig=6e42b28bfc5349ea98fb2b0d32151e2f&sp=-1&pq=what+is+the+current+covid+death+total+in+th&sc=0-43&qs=n&sk=&cvid=6e42b28bfc5349ea98fb2b0d32151e2f. Accessed November 15, 2020.Google Scholar Before long, will pass number of Americans who died War II. In conflagration, 405,399 our countrymen women as result.2United military casualties war. at:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war. Given current COVID-19 mortality should exceed latter sometime coming months. Thus, engaged war every bit deadly terrifying Heroes on all sides: health care workers, police, fire fighters, sanitation crews, whole army support personnel field endeavor land. They show up for work, keep masks on, wash squirt hands frequently, hope soon see an end to misery surrounds us. As noted previous editorial, I have spent much my time this past 7 months hospital caring patients do not COVID-19.3Alpert JS Life imitates art: physician plague.Am J Med. 2020; 133: 651https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.04.001Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar,4Alpert Juneman EB We never give up.Am 1111-1112https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.07.002Abstract (4) Other diseases hibernate just because here, many try “tough it out” at home before being overwhelmed illness. At hospital, understand why sick trying recover home. answer simple: fear contagion housed special floors. However, staff remained healthy without case hospital-acquired so far meticulous employment safety measures. tell they safer here when go any restaurant where casual contact with someone could result virus transferred them. midst greatest world II, country suffered remarkably poor leadership. epidemic been attacked haphazard measures, opposed many, leads both cases deaths. friend, David Gergen, worked four different presidents, said, “Presidents [need] exercise wisdom . help us move steadily forward. must work stable, upward course, even fight off bouts isolationism resentment American power overseas. manage dynamic economy light hand, seek ensure people left behind equal opportunities life. be good stewards only but also earth itself. Increasingly, make difficult decisions about technology science transform way live.” believe future US historians confirm leadership failed tasks outlined Professor Gergen.5Gergen DR Eyewitness Power: Essence Leadership, Nixon Clinton. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY2000Google state chaos what can done slow eventually contain evil forces COVID-19? Recently, professor law Georgetown University school, Lawrence O. Gostin, JD, suggested critical lessons taken seriously if want tsunami agony despair.6Gostin LO great pandemic 2020—7 lessons.JAMA. 324: 1816-1817Crossref (8) First, build resilient system responsive independent public officials whom closely. And needs enough able expand rapidly face emergencies such pandemic. Second, Gostin points out that, already stated, informed trust essential successful containment epidemic. immense failure factor States. Third, need play major role informing assisting plans epidemic: “Despite remarkable, albeit incomplete, scientific discovery, populist political leaders sown doubt value undermined agencies.”6Gostin these policies contributed deaths thousands women. Fourth, investment biomedical research development constantly needed plague prepare next one, rest assured there one. Fifth, important country, containing huge variety diverse citizens, reduce social, economic, inequities led increased rates racial low-paid minorities. Sixth, adopt accept evidence-based laws safeguard enforcement laws. Widespread refusal adhere rules uncontrollable spread country. Nations opined Rule Law project emergency powers based evidence used no less restrictive alternatives. finally, seventh, fund robust global institutions concert epidemics. Withdrawal Health Organization works directly against efforts This withdrawal beneficial living today. concludes choose “science, rule law, equity core values” effectively COVID-19. agree Gostin's comments. informed, rational, currently know pathophysiology epidemiology It fervent new administration taking charge nation January heed suggestions finally viral onslaught ourselves attack, whenever might be. always, welcome responses commentary [email protected] or blog, website, Facebook venues.