The population of the United States is torn between believers and non-believers in COVID 19
The population of the United States is torn between believers and non-believers in COVID 19 and the call for social distancing. Is it true, or is it fake? Research shows the virus, COVID 19, Corona, or SARS-CoV-2, whatever an individual chooses to call it, COVID 19 has caused a worldwide pandemic. Currently, the greatest threat to the people of the United States is the spread of misinformation. Whether or not people choose to believe it or not, the deaths are real. As of August 8, 2020, the numbers read as follows; worldwide 724,432 deaths and the United States 163,492 deaths. The United States has over twenty percent of the world’s deaths in this pandemic, making it the worst country to control the impact of the virus on its population. One of the world’s most powerful countries is failing to protect its people from an illness that can be prevented through social distancing. While social distancing impedes human interaction, social distancing is crucial in preventing the spread of COVID 19 because it protects people with chronic severe medical issues, it assists in flattening the curve, and it is socially responsible.
The coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can infect humans and animals. These viruses get their name from their protein crown-like appearance under a microscope. According to Burke (2020), “the coronavirus infection usually results in mild to moderate cold symptoms, like stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat”(p.1). The world had contact with different forms of coronaviruses in the form of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV. The severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS “originated in southern China and caused a worldwide outbreak between 2002 and 2003 that resulted in seven hundred and seventy-four deaths” (Burke, 2020, p. 1). The Middle East respiratory syndrome or “MERS originated in Saudi Arabia in 2012, and unlike SARS and COVID 19, the outbreak was localized to countries around the Arabian Peninsula” (Burke, 2020, p. 1). The Middle East respiratory syndrome claimed over eight hundred individuals together; both viruses have claimed over one thousand lives. The COVID 19 virus, on the other hand, would prove to be three times more deadly the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV together. COVID 19, unlike the other two versions of the virus it is highly contagious and deadlier.
The COVID-19 virus is very similar to the common cold virus except that it can be traced back to its origins, and the common cold cannot. Medical science has not developed an antiviral vaccine to prevent or cure the infection like the cold. The best that medical practitioners can offer is advice on how to prevent infection via social distancing, hygiene, and respiratory barriers (Lerner, 2020, p. 3). The medical practitioners’ advice is very similar to the advice from parents instructing their children in preventing catching a common cold. Parents have preached to their children for years to sick keep away from others sick, wash your hands after you touch something, and the only new item on this list is to cover your mouth and nose in public. The information is justified experts, according to Lerner (2020), the Center for Disease Control recommends that these preventative actions must be conducted daily to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases in general. Unfortunately, these simple lifesaving precautions offered by experts and parents alike have met resistance in the United States on various levels.
Some Americans love their freedom and refuse to relinquish any part of that freedom, even if it means risking their lives or others’ lives. An article on the John Hopkins Medical website called “Addressing Resistance to Social Distancing with Compassion, Not Judgment,” discusses the issue of individuals fighting against social safety (Closser, 2020). The author looks at the past actions of individual resistance against actions to preserve life during a pandemic. The article focuses on data collected during the West African Ebola outbreak in 2014. Individuals knowingly ignored the actions put in place by health officials to prevent the spread of the infectious virus. The author suggests that resistance is more prevalent amongst the impoverished in the population. The article suggests that the impoverished portion of society takes the blame on various levels and suffers mistreatment from mainstream society. Logic suggests that these individuals have no reason to comply with mainstream society requests. Closser (2020) references anthropologists Annie Wilkinson and James Fairhead, who argue that in any epidemic, an understanding of local political dynamics can build a stronger trusting relationship (p.1). Understandably, individuals who have had society turn their backs on them feel that they have nothing to gain by complying with requests from mainstream society. However, this does not excuse the fact that their actions contribute to the possible death of another, non-compliance during such a situation is reckless behavior. The explanation author presents logical and compelling from an individual or group perspective. However, it is confusing when resistance comes from elected officials who have sworn to protect the public.
The United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, has been brought to its knees, but not by the pandemic but by a social divide created by the countries Commander and Chief. The country’s first name should have provided some direction to the government’s leaders on how to handle situations that impact the country. It is common knowledge that it is easy to defeat an enemy that is divided the tactic known as “divide and conquer.” Unfortunately, this is a sign of weak leadership when working in a team, and the team leader uses this tactic to solve essential issues.
In the case of the COVID, 19 pandemics, the world’s top expert on disease control, suggests that particular actions occur to prevent the spread of the virus. The President of the United States ignored those suggestions until someone in his office says something he likes. The New York Times posted an article stating, “Trump Encourages Against Governors Who Have Imposed Virus Restrictions” (Shear & Mervosh, 2020, p. 1). The headline provides more than enough information for the reader to gather the main point of the story. The message that the United States office sends out its citizens is confusing the point where they now look any and everywhere some guidance.
The same Command and Chief have convinced millions of people not to believe the news media referring to them as “fake news,” and only the one that supports his office. The Presidents condemning the local and national news outlets have convinced some to turn to less than reliable social media companies for their information. According to Sabahat Ölcer, Yilmaz-Aslan, & Brzoska (2020), social media has harmed passing information on COVID-19. The article states that some individuals use it as a vehicle to promote descent among the population. Unfortunately, people living in the United States of America believe that COVID 19 is a political deception because of their government officials and social media actions. The President of the United States has given several interviews to the public, where he has not worn a mask or practiced social distancing. Individuals loyal to the President’s cause follow his suit; he provided a perfect example of serving one’s own needs.
The nation is divided because of the mixed information provided by our government leaders. They provide guidance and ridicule, local leaders, for not deciding with what the President agrees is correct. Recently the Supreme Court had to rule on a case in Nevada that involved the church openings versus casino openings during the pandemic shut down the court ultimately denied the complaint (Robert, 2020). It can only be assumed that the parties involved on both sides have no regard for public safety nor human life. It is easy to see the injustice. In this case, the casinos should not have more rights than churches. However, with both situations provide occasions in which social distancing guidelines could quickly become violated. In this case, the sinner or the saint who has the right to inadvertently expose and spread a virus to the rest of the population, in this case, the sinner? There are no winners, only losers, but it is ok if some individual’s needs and desires are met.
The portion population in the United States believes that the COVID 19 threat is real, and the greatest hope for survival lies in the hands of professional researchers. The researchers state that there is no known cure for the COVID 19 virus and that there is no foreseeable vaccine (Mal, Suneel, & Shomeeta, 2020). The solution the professional offers in this situation is simple but useful if it is followed, and it is social distancing. According to Mal, Suneel, & Shomeeta (2020), this is the only solution that the world has on hand right now since there are no pharmacological methods of protection to prevent the spread of the virus. They believe that the act of social distancing would interrupt the transmission of the infectious COVID 19 viruses. The interruption of the transmission of the virus assists in flatting the infection curve, which means that the infection rate is slowing down or normalizing. The slowing down process in the infection rate of COVID 19 is vital because it reduces the strain placed on the medical practitioners. Mal, Suneel, & Shomeeta wrote the article (2020); the authors review the effectiveness of social distancing as a method of prevention. It provides evidence that it is an effective method in transmission prevention. Even though the knowledge of social distancing is proven to be effective, some arguments claim it does more harm than good.
The downside of social distancing as a solution to the pandemic is that it does not provide a long-term result. Social distancing is a band-aid for the current situation. Some argue that while it is right, it can cause significant harm to some. In an article author by Li & Huynh (2020), the authors acknowledge that social distancing is vital in maintaining senior citizens’ health during the COVID 19 pandemic. They clear to point out that this solution has a drawback, which is social isolation, something that has plagued senior citizens for decades. Fortunately, social isolation for seniors and others can be resolved by technological means through smartphones and social media. Senior citizens and individuals with chronic health conditions are at high risk of infection from COVID 19, so the health risk through human contact outweigh feelings of isolation. Many would agree that living isolated is better than not living, and since social distancing offers them a chance to live, they would easily comply.
Social distancing is no cure for the COVID 19 virus. However, it is a legitimate action that can prevent its spread. It allows individuals the ability to actively participate in the prevention of the spread of the disease. The act of social distancing provides researchers with much needed time to search for cures and antiviral. Social distancing is a social responsibility that can all assist in willingly protecting those who are not strong enough to fight off the infection. When presented with the question, “Does social distancing work?” the short answer is yes, but only if all parties involved comply. The population in the United States is torn at this point between those who comply with guidance and those who do not. The news and social media are littered with videos and stories of self-serving individuals who refuse to follow directions on how to prevent the spread of COVID 19. The non-compliance of a few people places the rest of society at risk. They claim that social distancing intrudes on their rights as a United States citizen but forget that their actions put fellow Americans in danger.