In this unsettling time, each and every one of us is feeling the profound impacts that the recent pandemic has had on our lives. It’s only natural for us humans to want to return to the normalcy of our lives. When will this finally end? Why is it taking so long to blow over? Digging deeper, I began to explore the various aspects in which America failed to respond properly to COVID-19.
As the outbreak began proliferating, test kits for detecting the virus were only administered from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “FDA rules initially prevented state and commercial labs from developing their own coronavirus diagnostic tests, even if they could develop coronavirus PCR primers on their own” (Patel). Before the ruling was revised, CDC test kits proved faulty and had a substantial number of false-positive cases which made it near impossible to accurately diagnose individuals. Such error prompted from contaminants in the test –specifically a PCR test– which is very sensitive to small contaminations like such.
“Many countries did not prepare as well as they could have for the predictable rise in racism, the surge of the worried well into hospitals, and the panic buying” (Allen). Before word got to the public and the situation was labeled as a pandemic, officials or the government’s pandemic response team should contact major grocery stores telling them to put limits on spending. Then, panic-buying would largely be eliminated. The rapid surge for stocking up on essentials has put at-risk individuals in greater peril by further limiting their access to needs. Unfortunately, the pandemic response team was fired back in 2018 to cut down on spending.
Additionally, some individuals aid in spreading fear by falsely claiming they are infected. “Mr. Brandin posted that he had tested positive for coronavirus. And then he added that doctors had told him the virus was now airborne”(Tidy). Such antics for views are widespread over social media such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube and only serve to promulgate exaggerated fear. On the other hand, some individuals hid the fact that they were infected and then proceeded to attend social gatherings. I couldn’t find the news article for it, but I remember a case in which a college student had done a similar thing.
Lastly, and most personally, everyone needs to stay educated and avoid racist comments. Various cases of xenophobia have occurred all throughout the world. “Recently, a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old were stabbed at a Texas Sam’s Club because the alleged perpetrator thought, he told police, that the family was Chinese and spreading the disease” (Liu). Before leaving to go home from campus, I received racist comments from a drunk individual late at night. All I can hope for is that people are thoughtful and safe in these trying times. It breaks my heart to read the news, only to find more cases of threats or abuse towards Asians.
I wanted to highlight again how important it is to stay educated. Simple things like washing your hands and social distancing are extremely helpful. Below is a link to one such simulation.
https://i.imgur.com/cW9V3uB.gifv
Okay, the last thing I want to add because I thought it was absurd was this lady who wore a mask, but cut out the front because she complained that it was hard to breathe in. Stay educated.
Works Cited
Allen, Lindsey. “Where We Went Wrong with Preparing for COVID-19.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, 20 Apr. 2020, http://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/preparing-wrong.
Liu, Opinion by Emily. “Covid-19 Has Inflamed Racism against Asian-Americans. Here’s How to Fight Back.” CNN, Cable News Network, 11 Apr. 2020, http://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/opinions/how-to-fight-bias-against-asian-americans-covid-19-liu/index.html.
Patel, Neel V. “Why the CDC Botched Its Coronavirus Testing.” MIT Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 10 Apr. 2020, http://www.technologyreview.com/2020/03/05/905484/why-the-cdc-botched-its-coronavirus-testing/.
Tidy, Joe. “Coronavirus: ‘I Faked Having Covid-19 on Facebook and Got Arrested’.” BBC News, BBC, 24 Apr. 2020, http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52397294.
English 110 Honors Spring 2020 
I really enjoyed reading this! I liked how you analyzed how we failed to prepare as a country, in multiple aspects. From explaining the issues of not having enough test kits to allowing people to over-buy products, you truly highlighted how and why we failed, as your title says. I’m sad to hear that you had rude comments thrown at you, especially at UD. Hope you and your family are doing well, nice work!
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I enjoyed your piece. I like how you analyzed how and why we failed as humans, not only in terms of detection and prevention, but also in unity. I like how you used these failures to then introduce what you think should be the main change: education. Great work on using our failures to introduce a solution.
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This was a very unique piece. I think while it may seem easy to see why we are failing in our response to this, you still presented many other reasons I did not even know of. It is appalling to me that people would actually knowingly hide that they are infected and put others at risk, and frankly sad. I am also very sorry that you experienced such xenophobic remarks towards you, and I respect the way you are and have been handling it, as that should never occur, regardless of the situation. I also really appreciate you inserting the link to the simulation, as that is a very helpful representation of how social distancing works. Great post.
-Adam Bonar
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Duuude. What a snazzy mask you’ve got there!
I really REALLY like how you started at the origin of this outbreak. It really highlights outrageous incompetencies, that we absolutely have to learn from. Tragedy could have been avoided in heaps if better measures were inputed.
“FDA rules initially prevented state and commercial labs from developing their own coronavirus diagnostic tests, even if they could develop coronavirus PCR primers on their own”
Yes. When I see something like this, I am not able to believe that a government is working for its people. Its like having the police informed about a murder plot on your life, and them locking you out of your own house. And then they say “WE DON”T WANT THE NEIGHBORS TO WORRY ABOUT YOU!”
“Additionally, some individuals aid in spreading fear by falsely claiming they are infected.”
This and the converse of this are both despicable.
You do an awesome job of exposing the lacking and/or absent ways methods of how we treated the virus. Also very importantly, you include a bulwark on how to protect against this happening more/again. EDUCATION!
I’m so sorry you had to deal with racist comments, man. Stuff is terrible. Nothing screams lack of education like that does.
Keep on hangin’ in there!
My best wishes,
Neil
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