Addendum
I would like to address a few of the concerns and criticisms this document has received. I am changing from we to I because I am speaking only for myself. Primary criticism has been either
- How do we know this is true/qualification issues?
- It is a political piece.
or
The first criticism simply validates one of the main points of the document. This information can be verified and was valid at the time of publication. Most of the time, you were told exactly where you could find it. The complete lack of effort the public has shown to educate themselves about this virus has contributed to the terror it has created. It really shouldn't matter who wrote it if the information is valid. I am not an epidemiologist, but, for the record, it was reviewed by one and he agreed.
The second criticism I can at least understand. The objective of the paper was not to be political but to recognize the role it plays in behaviors related to the virus. Frankly, I have never been able to successfully explain why we are hearing so much about a virus that doesn't make most people sick without involving the politics (and I have tried, and that information is also available).
However, I may not have done as well as I could have in conveying that. I am not happy with either party's handling of the issue. I have had political discussions with patients of every race and persuasion and said the same. Both parties have failed us. I haven't voted for somebody in way too long. I have voted against somebody else. I have told everyone that has to change if we are going to make it. My primary political concerns are reduced health care premiums, lower deductibles, less expensive drugs, lower taxes, taking care of the environment, and smaller government. We should take care of ourselves and each other.
It is my opinion, though, that the media and the Democratic party are most responsible for pushing the fear and trying to keep us from reopening the economy. The point of the paper is to suppress fear, dispense information, and reopen the economy.
Yesterday (April 21), Texas' Governor and Lt. Governor called for reopening their state and the country. The article in The Hill goes on to say Texas has nearly 29 million people with 19,458 having tested positive for coronavirus and 495 fatalities.
The response of Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa was that they "would put Texans at-risk to enrich themselves and their stock portfolios." "They would see our family members die to bail out Wall Street," Hinojosa said. "The lives of our families, our friends, and our communities have no dollar amount. Texas Republicans can no longer claim to be the pro-life party anymore."
You can draw your own conclusions. I based mine on statements such as those.
REVISED April 23, 2020. For those who question whether I am truly anti-fear, as opposed to having another agenda, President Trump disagreed "strongly" with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's decisions to reopen certain businesses in his state. I strongly agree with Governor Kemp.
