Chalupa in restoring trust in the national government in the time of the Coronavirus. And strategic lessons learned

Trust in government is never more important than when faced with an emergency like a possible pandemic. In such situations, it’s vital to have leadership that takes the appropriate steps to address a crisis and help prevent mass public panic.

During the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003, my husband and I were on our 11 month honeymoon backpacking around the world, and had spent 8 weeks traveling through India and Nepal before heading to Singapore, one of the countries most impacted by SARS at the time. The day before leaving Calcutta for Singapore, I started to feel very ill, and in compliance with India’s government requirements to combat the spread of the disease, informed our airline when checking in for the flight, unsure if they would allow us to travel, or if Singapore would accept an ill passenger. My husband and I were taken to a small medical office at the airport for examination and even though my hubby wasn’t ill, the half dozen men in the room pretty much ignored me and insisted on examining him. I wasn’t sure it was due to a miscommunication that we couldn’t seem to clarify despite our efforts or if they found him more fascinating, since he is 6’ 5” and a former college offensive lineman and toward over the Indian men, but at one point I told the doctors they would have to take him out to dinner first if they were going to get that frisky with him. In the end, they cleared us for travel and sent us on the plane with medical masks to wear. We overcame the trauma of that unusual episode and wondered the entire flight what would await us at our arrival and the horrible thought of being sent directly back on another flight.

When arriving at the airport in Singapore, we were immediately impressed by the contrast and sophistication of how the government handled SARS containment. No one asked us any questions when we got off the plane. Instead, all passengers arriving at the airport were required to walk through temperature gaging devices. In the taxi that drove us to our hotel was displayed a card showing that the driver had checked his temperature the hour before and the reading showing he had no fever. Similar temperature card reports were displayed at the hotel counter for the woman who checked us in, and for the cashiers in the stores.

By the next day, I was severely ill and hesitant about going to the nearby emergency clinic for fear of being exposed to patients with SARS, but as my symptoms worsened, I had not choice. I felt like I was dying and even called home to my parents to let them know how sick I was in case things worsened. Over the next two days, I visited the emergency clinic twice as my condition worsened. Turned out I left India with such a severe case of food poisoning that Cipro wasn’t strong enough to combat it, but Singapore’s medical care was excellent and I was back to normal a couple days later. It was also incredibly affordable; as a foreigner visiting and without needing to use insurance, I received excellent care and there were no wait times, even though the country was dealing with an epidemic. Both visits an medicine totaled under $100. It was a reminder that many Americans don’t have access to such affordable quality health care. 

Many are currently worried about the uncertainty of what impact coronavirus will have on Americans as it continues to spread. What makes it worse for some is that we don’t trust the current leadership at the top, and for very good reason as we’re reminded daily and even with the mishandling of addressing coronavirus or the purging and demolishing of scientific positions and task forces that help prevent and prepare for such pandemics. Common sense dictates we should always invest in science and prioritize our nation’s health and prepare in meaningful ways that doesn’t cause panic.

Remember when the Bush Administration recommended that Americans buy plastic and duct tape to defend against potential terrorist threats and Americans en masse ran out to purchase duct tape? My hubby and I were on a three-day camel safari in Indian on the border of Pakistan at the time and were shocked to read those reports, but that too was a reminder how important it is to have strong leadership at the top that doesn’t fuel hysteria due to incompetence or providing poor advice.

It’s good that the Trump administration held and press conference today sharing its plan on how it’s addressing the coronavirus. Such communication is vital. We could have done without the partisan attacks irrationally blaming Democrats or learning Trump put another anti-science guy in charge of the coronavirus team - Mike Pence; and Trump’s concerns about the stock market were seen by some as outweighing his concerns for the well-being of Americans. But the good news is that the top CDC experts - reputable doctors and scientists - are working around the clock to address this and will be transparent by providing regular updates. While they’re working on a vaccine, which could take months depending on trials, they provided some very logical basic advice that matters:

- wash your hands often

- if you’re sick, stay home; see a doctor

- avoid anyone sneezing or coughing 

Not mentioned during the White House press conference, the World Health Organization also adds the following advice since the coronavirus is spread from animals to humans:

- thoroughly cook meat and eggs.

The coronavirus is a respiratory infection like SARS, and spread through coughing and sneezing so there’s a face mask shortage as many stock up, but folks should know that surgical masks and most others help an infected person from spreading the virus but don’t prevent the wearer from contracting it. The more sophisticated and bulky respiratory masks do but they’re not practical to wear for long periods of times.

Our government needs to invest the billions necessary that the Democratic leaders and health experts have advised. Proper investment now can save countless lives and money down the road. Maybe someone should inform Trump this will also help the stock market.

It’s also worth keeping perspective:

The coronavirus has killed 2,715 people and infected more than 78,000 in China, where it first started. The latest reports from China show that the epidemic has peaked there and fewer new cases are being reported, though there are still millions quarantined at home and clinics which helps the containment. The WHO is concerned how quickly its spreading to other countries and warns that other nations must take steps to prepare now so they avoid some of the issues China first experienced, including ensuring enough hospital spaces for proper medical care, educating the public in advance on steps to help prevent the spread, and investing in vaccine research/testing, and other measures.

In contrast, the flu has had a much more severe impact on health in the US than the coronavirus has had in China (this doesn’t include the economic impact, just health). The CDC reports that in the U.S., over a five month period from October 2019 to February 2020 there have been:

- 29,000,000 - 41,000,000 flu illnesses

- 280,000 - 500,000 flu hospitalizations 

- 16,000 - 41,000 flu deaths

This isn’t to downplay the coronavirus but to keep things in perspective and to reiterate some of the ways we can take action to help it from spreading and protecting ourselves while the Democrats in Congress fight for more funding to combat this potential pandemic, and while Pence works with the team of very intelligent and seasoned scientists and doctors who are helping address it and providing the public with regular updates.

It’s a reminder that strong, trusted, and intelligent leadership at the top matters. Science and facts matter, as those in power at the top who waged war on science and facts, are discovering the hard way. Thank goodness for those scientists and doctors on the frontlines who are taking the appropriate steps in the correct direction. They must be fully funded.

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Alexandra Chalupa