"Enough with your fiddling, Mr. President. Let's roll."
Won't happen. Trump talks; he doesn't "do".
17
Step 13 - suspend President's Twitter account
27
This must be headline news, a not semi hidden opinion voice. I am shocked and deeply worried how the NYT keeps failing to help fight the imminent danger in which the US is finding itself. The years of getting numb to the insane presidency are taking its toll. It is getting too late, this half measures will not do.
12
These are all good suggestions. In Ontario, where I live now, they just closed all public schools, and we only have 59 cases.
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/all-public-schools-in-ontario-will-be-closed-for-two-weeks-after-march-break-due-to-covid-19-1.4850653
3
Well stated!
2
The Russians and Putin must be dealing quite effectively with the virus ... not a word about a death rate or a disease rate!
10
President Macron announced most of these measures and more tonight. You don't need a "totalitarian state" to be responsible and take action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW7KR_ApuXQ&feature=youtu.be
3
Putin find an excuse not step down after his term is over, how convenient... you guessed it's Coronavirus!
If got forbid trump will be re-elected you know what his next step will be:
follow his BFF!
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-12/global-turmoil-changed-putin-view-on-term-limit-kremlin-says
We need to get him out ASAP!
4
Bravo
1
With the numerous inaccuracies, misleading statements, and self serving nonsense in Trump's oval office speech, it's time we faced a simple reality: Trump must resign from office, and get out of the way so competent people can take the reins.
Enough is enough. Leadership really does matter.
8
3 1/2 months into this and the U.S. with a population of 320 million+ has conducted only 10,000 tests for the virus. Extraordinary incompetence. Was this because of Trump administration cuts in programs to fight pandemics, or a failure of individual agencies over turf? In the House-Senate remedies this apparently is not even being discussed.
As for Trump, don't expect anyone who denies climate change to get anything else right.
(On a shortage of Qiagen kits, it is possible to extract RNA without the kits.)
2
Mr. Kristof, how soon is too soon to finally get universal single-payer healthcare in the US?
Do we have to wait for our hospitals to be overwhelmed, for the economy to tank and for tens of thousands - if not more - of our beloved elders to die needlessly because we are so stupidly attached to our inefficient, costly, corrupting, for-profit, private-insurance-based healthcare system?
Sure, we can blame this imminent catastrophe on Trump and the GOP who could hardly have done worse than they are doing, but shouldn't we have been prepared for this?
Virologists and epidemiologists have been warning about this for years. And, as with climate change, the basic science was done long ago. But our cautious and largely corrupt political class - GOP and DEM - have been too busy hustling campaign funding to give attention to what ordinary folks really need, which is a modicum of security and stability, instead of risk and useless stress.
You and others have been fighting the progressive wing of the DEM party in hopes of restoring us to a Bidenesque status quo ante that will continue failing to meet America's needs
3
At this time with all my friends at high risk of dying from this new disease, I have been told by CDC to shelter in place and not go out. For a year? Guess I need a hazmat suit to go shopping. Trump's complacent failure to take effective action and his lying, this time is rather personal. Add to that the market crash affecting my retirement savings plan and there isn't really much more Trump can do to me personally unless he were to shoot me at noon on Fifth Avenue. Pretty sure I will vote for ANYONE else.
6
Republicans don't believe in government. They don't think government can do anything right. This kind of result is bound to happen.
7
Brilliant, well thought out and very specific. Most of it is implementable. Now spread the word and leverage any high level relationships in government. Even Republicans would approve. Action is the key, no time to loose !
2
Brilliant column, Mr. Kristof. Too bad trump doesn't read and, even if he did, he wouldn't take your advice. I just talked to my sister who told me that anyone who wants to get tested can. I asked where she heard that from and she answered "Fox News".
6
The large medical clinic I go to now has signs on the doors advising that if you have symptoms of COVID-19--and we are the epicenter of California's cases--do NOT come inside. Go back to your car, call, and they'll send someone out to you.
1
If we don't test people the official "numbers" will stay low. That is what Trump wants: "numbers" that appear favorable. He is the "smoke and mirrors" president: the Great and Powerful Oz hiding behind a curtain. His charade is about to come crashing down.
10
Well if Trump was so incompetent, other countries must have been worse since many have more sick than we do. Two months ago no one was doing anything, it was hardly a thought outside of China.
And yes, most of the world has much better safety nets in place for their citizens, and of course, cheaper health care. The one candidate who was planning to do something about that is once again being suddenly and without explanation soundly defeated by one who will keep everything the same. ACA was terrible for the middle class without health insurance: huge premiums, terrible coverage, and then fines for dropping it.
If you think that Biden could handle it any better than Trump, let's see how he does in just a little debate. I doubt that he will even show up!
Trump will never do any of this. It takes too much sense.
1
For openers, Congress should redirect all funds for trump's imaginary wall to helping affected Americans.
As for trump's role, he could come up with a nickname for the virus, berate it on Twitter, see if he can bribe it or shake it down, sue it, fire it and, when all that fails, pay it hush money to go away.
6
13. Remove Trump, Pence and McConnell from office, along with any other obstructionists, and allow Nancy Pelosi to begin leading the nation in instituting the first 12 suggestions.
6
Time for what? This is a massive overblown panic
Google and Microsoft and Amazon should provide every child, without internet access or computers, a free laptop!
2
I own a small business. I am probably going to get devastated. If I have to shut down, I will never re-open. I would like to see the government introduce policies that help me spread out the financial impact of this event. If I have to shut for a month, I could survive if the financial impact is spread across the next year or two. If I have to suck it all up in the next 30-60 days, I am done. My 18 employees will be out of work more than temporarily.
5
Step 1: Remove Trump from the process, completely. Let the remaining professionals advance the plans to deal with this virus... without Trump involved.
Every time he opens his pie hole... the world gets more afraid and the economy gets more precarious. I have no fondness for Pence, but at least Pence is being more reasonable and transparent with respect to expectations of how this virus will play out in the US... and as such.. I would love to send Pence a big bottle of super-glue so he can glue Trumps mouth shut and glue Trumps twitter fingers to Trumps backside.
3
I've seen 160,000 ventilators listed as a stat in other news articles (vs. 72,000 in this one). Which number is accurate?
That's a greater than 2x difference.
1
I have two kids at a large public high school in NYC: 3,000 students shoulder-to-shoulder walking down the hallways, and while they’re cancelling afterschool activities, the DOE is still keeping schools open. I’d say this constitutes a gathering of 500 people. A daily gathering. DeBlasio says he wants to find a middle ground. No such thing at this point, too late. Needless to say I’ve taken my kids out of school because keeping them in school is akin to being an anti-vaxer. We are endangering the entire community by not seeing all the contradictions and not getting the facts straight.
7
@Roger "cannot get FDA to approve testing kits and testing labs in a day! "
Validating these tests is not as easy as just spending money. There is a procedure involving testing against known positives and negatives of dozens to hundreds of cases to determine specificity and sensitivity, ie, true positive vs false positive, true negative vs false negatives. Without proper validation the test is worthless
2
A good set of steps. Most notable is that the current administration is focussing on companies as if companies are the United States. Companies are not the United States. People are. This fact has been completely missed by certain complacent politicians at the top, and the people are starting to notices the focus on bailing out-- whether they need it or not-- large companies, large banks, airlines, cruise lines... but not the people who actually get sick or have to care for those that get sick, suffering both financial and physical hardships.
One of the notable points that many miss and is show here (bullet 8), is that most insurance companies disingenuously tout waiving co-pays, and refuse to waive the deductible. The payer gets socked with the entire testing bill until the deductible is met (there is no co-pay until the deductible is met). Love to see the Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoints on the differential costs, and the gambling that no one will notice the weasel's knife in the back until the EOB shows up. Been there for other medical items, although not this particular one.
4
@MH Oh, surely you know that companies are people. After all, the Supreme Court said so.
1
I wasn't planning on having no health insurance during a pandemic, but funny how things happen. One of my concerns is that the clinics in my area (all part of the same large Catholic health care company) won't see you if you have an outstanding balance, unless you pay it off. While I'm trying to pay off my bill, I can't go to the clinic unless I cough up the entire amount due. (Which right now, I simply don't have). This short-sighted policy forces people who need less-than major care to present to the Emergency department, since the ED cannot turn you away. This in turn makes for an even bigger unpaid bill, and takes away resources from those in real need.
Also, even if a test for Covid-19 is free, what about the clinic visit? The policy of the above mentioned clinic on a flu vaccine is that even if your shot is free through insurance, you still get charged $180.00 for a clinic visit. Due to a high co-payment, even when I had insurance my "free" flu shot was $140.00.
Here's hoping we get it together enough to do truly free, drive-thru tests, and join the rest of the enlightened world in universal health care.
7
A flu shot at Walgreens is about $30 without insurance. So you know for next year.
1
And what happens in each state the day people go to polls? How many show symptoms 5-14 days later?
Ohio’s Governor said late this afternoon in a press conference that he expects confirmed cases in Ohio to double every six days. And with the inadequate testing availability, he thinks 100,000 people could already be infected unknowingly in the state.
He has stopped all visits to nursing homes and to state psychiatric hospitals. Workers at state hospitals will have temperature checked every single day.
He is aggressively closing schools and limiting crowds to 100 or fewer.
2
I would modify #1 by adding a requirement, or at least the ability to encourage, all citizens to be tested within 30 days.
This would force a ramp up in test kit availability, and ingenuity in administering and processing the tests.
More than that, it would tell us exactly how big the problem is, where it is big, who is most susceptible.
The biggest enemy to the functioning of the world with CV-19 is uncertainty, and the country that has the biggest problem knowing what it is dealing with, the USA, is also the engine of the world.
Also, wouldn't it be great right now to have had a President who could marshal the globe to fight CV-19 in unison with the WHO as opposed to blame "feriners" for a problem stemming from the natural result of an over populated world.
Unfortunately, we, and the world, have Trump.
7
On Wednesday, I visited an MD clinic because I had been suffering from dry cough, sore throat, and body aches since last Friday night. After having negative results on flu and cold tests, the physician who saw me said: "It's possible you have the coronavirus but we can't know for sure because there are no tests available." She vented her frustration on the national health care system that was leaving physicians hand tied to face a recently proclaimed pandemic. I was sent home with the in writing instruction to not go to work until I am asymptomatic. As of today, symptoms subbornly stay with me. I can't go to work. Therefore, I don't have an income. In addition, I don't even know whether I am infected. How many cases like mine may be out there? Of course, I know there are much gracer cases than the one I describe here but how can we believe in official numbers when there are no tests available? Finally, what are all of us in this diagnostic limbo are supposed to do?
17
@Leonardo
I am presuming your doc was wearing some precautionary equipment and gloves. Else she just might be endangering all her colleagues and patients health.
When it comes to cancelling public schools, what's even more important than computer and internet access for continuing classes is that many public school children receive two or more meals a day at school. This is a major factor in the decision of whether to close public schools or not here in New Orleans. Preparing alternative methods for providing meals for free or reduced lunch students while they're out of school.
8
Mr. Kristof, do you know why the initial CDC test kits were faulty? How did the manufacturing problem happen? Why did it take CDC so long to fix it? Why is CDC so adamant in not being more flexible in the regulations of test kits so that other labs can do testing, especially when they couldn't do the job? Why didn't the other labs simply adopt the one from WHO? Since Lab Corp and Quest Diagnostic are said to be testing, why do people still can't get tested?
Despite the 24/7 reporting on this coronavirus outbreak, it is not at all clear to me what exactly the problems are in testing.
3
Can we start a contribution to get Trump to play golf till this crisis is over? Gold plated golf kit? The brilliance of his reflection in each smack should keep him lingering for long at the golf course.
Next can we collectively oust Dr. Redfield? The worst chief of CDC to have ever existed. He along with Trump are responsible for this catastrophe.
Next, CLOSE THE SCHOOLS. Thousands of kids crammed together with older, vulnerable adults. Why do school superintendents keep sending us letters that they are waiting for one positive case to close schools when we know there are no test kits and should they test, it will be a serious case and hundreds would already have gotten it from that one kid.
7
@Meena I think one issue is that many kids - and their families - rely on the free breakfast and lunch schools provide; on top of that, school makes work possible for many families. (Which, in turn, makes a roof over their heads and some food on the table possible.) I agree that schools should not be kept open if it is not safe to do so, but there are some other really serious ramifications involved with doing so. Ideally, those issues will be part of the discussion!
1
Canada learned the temperature check at a port of entry wasn't effective at all during the SARS pandemic.
Therefore, Canada is not practicing a temperature check this time.
Incubation period of COVIT-19 being 4-5 days, I wonder a drive-through system and rapid test will be effective to catch potential carriers.
4
So many bad ideas here it's hard to know where to begin.
Limit visitors to nursing homes? Why not just give the facilities a license to park their residents in the hallways and run for the exits? Regular visitors are the only thing that prevents nursing homes from their default position with the elderly: neglect and abuse.
5
Nicholas:
The greatest failure in the COVID-19 response is the failure of the mainstream to inform the public that Vitamin C therapy can help prevent infection and that megadoses of Vit C and IV C can cure people, as is being done in Korea and China. The censorship of this information is criminal, but that's what we have at the CDC and WHO. You can't medicate your way to health with synthetic (i.e., toxic chemicals called medicines) chemicals except for short-term periods. The body needs nutrients; drugs do not provide any.
1
Could we see this Vitamin C as a cure all research? Or at the very least a source?
Many thanks again for your wise words. We would need the help of the great hotel companies to give care and compassion to all that would need a bed. The states could use the police and military to provide protection. Large food companies and their distribution networks could help to provide food and water. America has the experience and knowledge to handle this situation. Thousands of hotels could provide shelter to millions ate the same time and isolate them to impede contagion. Hundreds of developers could create apps to send information regarding availability of tests and remedies, if any.. Apple's "find your friends" already helps to locate our dear ones and send information about where to go, and what to do. But of course we will need the tests and medicines.
2
Mr. Kristof, from the coronaviris crisis and for those health emergencies to come, we all must learn to turn to our mayors and governors, not the federal government. The federal bureaucracy is big and blunt, it does not respond quickly or boldly when a crisis arises. Especially know that the CDC is largely a multi-billion dollar accounting office masquerading as a national disease and injury prevention agency. It counts incidences and the dead after the fact and little else. The deadly fiasco of timely mass distribution of accurate coronaviris testing kits is only the latest documentation of its limited capacity and utility. We need the statistical tracking function of the CDC; however, we need to revisit the larger expectations and essential public health needs we impose on CDC. It is not equipped - simply study its history of tangible deliverables (not reports sitting dusty on shelves). Our local and state leaders are now most reliable to shepherd us through this and, likely, future health emergencies. Kudos to Dr. Fauci as a federal outlier.
4
I work for a large County government. Their official policies are “wait and see” and “we don’t know.” It’s scary to realize how woefully unprepared my local government is. My state government is no better.
2
Thanks, Nick. You’d think the incompetent Trump administration would listen! Nope.
1
An excellent list of recommendations: all are incredibly low-cost interventions While one could argue endlessly over which ones will succeed to what extent, I see a strong case for implementing every one of them, and other such idea.
3
I will sum all this up in four words, "Elections have consequences America."
14
@Dwayne
and voting has to be taken seriously.
I would not put it past Trump and his team to purposely block the availability of tests so they could "keep the numbers down." Their grotesque calculation: let the deaths come in relatively small numbers; and keep the infected numbers a mystery by not testing. But this all falls apart when there is a run on hospital beds, like in Wuhan, like in Italy.
12
Love the last line!
4
Trump twiddles while home germs.
4
100 die every day due to gun violence. Thoughts and prayers and Washington moves on. 40 die with virus in last 3 weeks and all hell breaks loose. Funny country.
9
Because one of them we can control. We just choose not to.
The government should suspend the restriction that limits Medicare coverage of telemedicine doctor visits to those who live in rural areas .
If the government does this, this would help protect the elderly & disabled individuals who are insured under Medicare from being exposed to coronavirus, and those who are under quarantine.
Given that the elderly and those disabled individuals who are insured under Medicare who have compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to contracting coronavirus, suspending this restriction could protect these vulnerable groups , limit the spread of the virus, and help keep hospitals from being overwhelmed by additional coronavirus cases .
3
Cancelling schools in 1918 is not a relevant comparison to closing schools today. In 1918, households had stay at home mothers who provided childcare when school was closed. Today, when schools are closed, parents rely on day camps, grandparents, friends, or taking a personal day. It is likely that kids will still end up in large group situations so their parents can work. Or many will be at home alone, which may be less safe than their risk of infection.
Also, children living in food insecurity or without access to healthcare beyond the school nurse will no longer receive these services. Closing schools is not the perfect solution to stopping germ spread. It should only be done if there is real benefit that outweighs the risks to children living in fragile situations who rely on our public school system to eat and to be safe.
4
Mr. Kristof, why aren't you leading US and, in fact, global efforts to tackle this problem?
3
Trump and his administration's response is a textbook case of CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.
When the responsible adults are back in charge, these dangerous scam artists need to be held held to account !
8
NICK KRISTOF Has written a clear, logical plan to manage the health crisis that COVID 19 represents effectively, so as to minimize its impact. In his most challenging position yet, Trump is clinging to his preferred maneuver of attracting as much negative attention as he possibly can. He's facing problems that require sophisticated analysis and detailed planning, functions for which he uniquely unqualified. How do you become a "deal maker" with a miscroscopic virus? Trump has selected to head the government management of the COVID-19 threat a person uniquely unqualified, Pence, who, as governor of Indiana, allegedly caused an epidemic of new HIV cases due to his incompetence. Trump has not delivered a single "good deal" after his withdrawal from international alliances. Why should he start now? He reportedly spends his "executive time" alone in the Oval Office watching Fox News, which becomes the basis for his policies. Either that or holding court in his hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue so people can meet and greet him while paying to stay at his hotel, thereby violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution. But that troubles Trump not at all, because he was not removed from office. Women want a female president, but did not persuade Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski to vote to remove Trump, so that Nancy Pelosi could be the first female president of the US. Women voters and those who support them take note!
3
#1
find a leader who knows how to lead
6
Step 13 - shut down Fox News
16
I can't recommend this step enough;-)
@Alex What we need is a new Fairness Doctrine. Lying is unprofitable if you have to grant air time to a rebuttal every time.
Back in the first Democratic debate, all the candidates supported government health care coverage to undocumented immigrants. They got slammed for it. I understand doubts about the cost of such a program. But do people see the need for it now? Govt-funded health care brings all residents into the health care system. It has a preventive public health aspect when there's risk of epidemic or other contagious diseases.
8
Trump, Pence, McConnell and other republicans don’t need to act any further on the virus - they need to resign so that competent leaders can get us through this. Doesn’t look like we can wait for January 2021 for a leadership overhaul.
8
Trump said he wants "his numbers", (referring to the number of infected) to stay low. Does anybody think it is beyond him to purposely interfere with the testing roll out.
Trump doesn't want people tested and people aren't being tested. What a coincidence.
What a guy!
12
Wrong in key facts. Trump’s early decision to suspend China flights back in January was a fundamental factor in limiting infections compared to, say, Europe, which we are always told is the enlightened paradise. Dems and the MSM, who are Kristoff allies, shamefully criticized this action as racist.
Wrong again in stating Corona is much more contagious than flu. The opposite is the case.
2
Sorry, Ted, wrong on facts. Trump did not suspend flights to China in January, the airlines started doing that themselves. Trump did nothing in January. And COVID-19 is probably more contagious than flu, too, as its R0 is currently estimated to be higher. Facts, please.
Administration authorised billions in financial aid in a day but cannot get FDA to approve testing kits and testing labs in a day! Let's try and figure this one out.
48
@Roger
Yep - 1.5 trillion dollars to shore up the markets but we supposedly can't afford to provide health care treatment services for the infected or to pay for the creation, management and implementation of a coordinated testing system across the US.
7
@Roger "cannot get FDA to approve testing kits and testing labs in a day! "
Validating tests is not as easy as just spending money. There is a procedure involving testing against known positives and negatives of dozens to hundreds of cases to determine specificity and sensitivity, ie, true positive vs false positive, true negative vs false negatives. Without proper validation the test is worthless.
4
@Roger
Read Dr. Fausi's response to Debbie Wasserman's question on the ability to get tested, particularly healthcare workers. The CDC has a system in place, and it's been in place for years, that per Dr. Fausi "is failing" and very hard to fix. Essentially it's a command and control system that is the US protocol to handling pandemics and is unlike the systems in other countries that allows for quick and easy testing. So if you looking to place blame for this fiasco, look no further than the CDC, who screwed up the initial test, then required all tests to be read at their headquarters because the reliability of the test was suspect, and now their system doesn't allow for quick and easy testing. I know it goes against the blame Trump narrative, but if you want to point fingers it's probably best to start there.
2
I don't look for any great actions from Trump. But since I'm in my 70s and with friends in their 80s we have decided to keep away from most direct social interaction. Electronic and phone are safe. We have stocked up on supplies, taken care of any necessary appointments, and have our own safe space. This is just the tip of the iceberg because so few tests have been done. The earlier we avoid any possible contact with crowds, even small ones, the less risk for ourselves. I'm not even going to church, will watch on tv. Lots could have been done 2 months ago. If you're in our age group I think it's a wise course.
7
Mr.Kristof, whom I admire, states that "{W]e will also desperately need tests to determine who has had the virus and now has immunity." I have lightly researched this assumption. (I am not a professional in the health industry.) My understanding is that it is unknown whether having the virus results in immunity. It appeared as if some people in Wuhan, having had the virus and then testing negative, subsequently tested positive, suggesting lack of immunity. This would seem to be a crucial question to be answered by health care scientists.
4
I am an RN with over 40 years of clinical experience. Asking health care professionals to come back to the frontlines of patient care after retirement is not a realistic solution. Providing quality care is complicated and technology changes rapidly. It takes continued training and a current license to practice nursing or medicine.
12
My therapist sent me the Spruce app for video sessions starting next week. Easy enough!
And the most important of all: give tax breaks to the rich, they are always our saviors.
9
As a pediatrician, I am confused as to my “repurposing” proposed in this article. As a pediatric hospitalist, I am one of less than a dozen providers in northwest Ohio available to treat pediatric patients on the general ward. If a child needs inpatient medical care, but is not yet PICU status, their care is up to us. What greater purpose could I serve in this pandemic? My outpatient pediatric colleagues are going to be essential in triaging which kids need to come to the ER or hospital, and giving parents critical tools and reassurance to take care of less sick children at home. Just because our patients aren’t adults doesn’t mean our work isn’t important. If you want to talk about specialities who should be diverted to help, talk about the ortho docs still doing elective knee replacements. The optho docs doing lasix surgery, the plastic surgeons continuing rhinoplasties. This is where we divert resources. Not from pediatrics. Ask yourself this: if your kid needs to be admitted to the hospital for this virus, where would you like me to be?
10
Amen from another pediatrician. I anticipate I will be very busy in the coming weeks and months diagnosing, treating and supporting patients - no repurposing needed.
5
@Erica Morgan Amen also from this RN; I spent the last year nursing my husband through terminal lymphoma, plus a-fib and diabetes. The last two persons I would want to see if I needed treatment for Covid-19 are the oncologist and cardiologist that cared for my late husband. (Also an RN)
Good ideas, but we've been bombarded with piecemeal recommendations already. Yes, all these things should be done but they're not nearly enough given the colossally horrid state of healthcare here.
If anyone in Washington were really serious about the virus they'd be pulling out all stops to pass single-payer, Medicare for All healthcare right now! Get everyone covered in a few months' time before the virus resurfaces next fall.
But no, nothing of the sort is remotely contemplated. Washington couldn't possibly act to save tens or hundreds of thousands of lives because everyone can point fingers at everyone else, and that's so much easier and entertaining. Plus, as we've seen for decades now with the economic depression that was so cleverly engineered by the managerial class to hollow out the country, our betters hope most of us will just quietly die off. The coronavirus helpfully accelerates that process.
3
@TB
Another huge transfer of wealth is in the pipeline. Wait until the layoffs, evictions, and foreclosures start.
3
It is almost certain that we will need the Nation Guard, but no one is talking about how Trump has diverted the funds for state requests to upgrade and repair National Guard equipment for readiness and moved them to funding for his ill conceived border wall.
10
This story in Huffpost.com I find truly disgusting
Trump Administration Refuses To Postpone Food Benefit Cut
The USDA said states already have enough flexibility to waive the new rule in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
headshot
By Arthur Delaney
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-food-stamps-cut-coronavirus_n_5e6a3d7cc5b6bd8156f2b191
Since last week Democrats have called on President Donald Trump’s administration to delay a planned food benefit cut because of the rapidly expanding coronavirus outbreak, but administration officials have said no.
Starting next month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will tighten rules for unemployed adults who don’t have minor children or disabilities, a policy that will shrink food benefit enrollment by 700,000, or about 2% annually.
Democrats are planning to vote Thursday on an economic stimulus bill that includes a provision suspending so-called “work requirements” in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It’s not clear if the legislation can clear the Senate, however, given Republican opposition to other parts of the bill.
8
I sure hope no Americans are holding their breath that ANY of these sensible actions will be taken by the current Trump regime.
7
Since Trump became POTUS everyone wondered what would take him down? What would finally make the public see that the Emperor is naked? Now we know. His (mis)handling of this single greatest medical crisis in 100 years.
This will go down in history as his “You’re doing a heck of a job, Brownie” moment. The American public has finally seen first-hand, unfiltered, no handlers, no tweets, no surrogates – just Trump doing what he can’t do – manage a crisis.
He has proven to be totally unprepared and completely inadequate at showing any sort of empathy, compassion, steadiness or understanding of the events unfolding before his very eyes. He refuses to rely or believe the medical professionals from the WHO and the CDC, the latter who contradict and correct his constant lies and missteps.
No, this time he is toast. I have never said this before, but this will be the defining moment of the presidency of the worst president we have ever had.
15
If there is a silver lining in the corona virus cloud, it is bullet-proof evidence that universal healthcare is a matter of national security.
22
Step 13. How about buying test kits from South Korea and China?
11
how will you test the people in the sanctuary cities who dont want to be found and quarantined, and how will you test the homeless populations? and if someone is not positive today, how do you know they wont be positive in two weeks?
1
Well, if Trump & his lackeys weren't acting the part of Inspector Javert in hunting down these poor, desperate people - today's Les Miserables - they wouldn't have to hide from them, would they?
4
Martial law I suppose.
Perhaps it is also necessary to criminalize 'pandemic denial.' There are people on local internet message boards here in Richmond who are still claiming it is all a scam and a plot by liberals to derail Trump, not to mention the ones offering quack remedies. These type of events are supposed to bring out the best in people but all I'm seeing so far is more of the same old. It is not a cause for optimism.
5
That's why lemmings are easy to snare.
I support common sense measures against the coronavirus. But I scratch my head at the panicked narrative in all the news media. Do people believe they will die or become severely ill if they catch the coronavirus? Because the facts say something else. The large majority of infected people experience moderate, non-lethal symptoms. In general, the biggest risk for an infected person is to transmit the illness to an elderly or otherwise vulnerable person. I do realize a high prevalence of the disease among vulnerable groups can result in overwhelming medical facilities.
So far there is only very inadequate information about the coronavirus. The initially high death rate is a moving target; as more cases become known, the death rate actually falls.
I also wonder if the coronavirus test, if hastily developed, may be throwing off a higher rate of false positives.
Not to downplay the seriousness of this situation, but it seems to me that thoughtfulness and attention to known facts would serve everyone better at this time. Straight-line extrapolations, especially from inadequate facts, can be the bugaboo of forecasters.
4
Exactly. The economy is tanking, which is potentially more dangerous. We need to razor sharp in our establishment and evaluation of facts.
1
Excellent article. Another step to take is to increase the amount of fresh air in buildings.
4
Thanks Mr Kristof, points taken!
Would just add that our economy is not only a matter of ensuring people's incomes when they are sick and cannot work because of quarantine.
The longer this crisis goes on, the more our food, medicines, spare parts and other supply chains will be at risk of collapse. Workers in them need protection ow - protective gear and special instructions to avoid risk of infection. Food supplies fell short in Wuhan after a while!
Not enough is being said about social distancing and containment. These have to be key for the next 3-6 weeks. They are key to stopping virus spread. They are first order, not an after thought.
Like others, including you, I am quite shocked, appalled and utterly disappointed by the lack of effective leadership from the White House. As an independent, I would nevertheless wish either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders were in the White House now. They "get it". Trump does not!
4
We need to order tests from other countries if they will sell.Not knowing who is infected because of no test available is going to
Destroy us.,if Trumps incompetence doesn’t do it first.Make the tests available if it’s not already to late.
5
Because of red tape in our USA despite a crisis situation. And to be fair because of our legal system encouraging litigation at every turn.
1
There needs to be major, mandatory rules in every state for the next few weeks forbidding non-essential meetings of ALL sizes. Ten people in a small room is a *crowd*.
There is nothing of significance to "groups of 250," groups of 500..." - pick ANY number, and people are just as contagious when they are in a smaller group.
The time to attempt minimizing this is last week and this week. There will be ten cancellations next week for every one cancellation not taken this week.
3
Now most of the nation can see in plain sight the disintegration of Trump as we face arguably our toughest test since WWII. Trump squandered all credibility is first week in office: the size of his inauguration crowd, his faux love for the CIA (both items came on his first two days in office). We should've seen this coming, that we had a president who has been in over his head his entire life. Now all of us are in over our heads with an unexplained, unfathomable human sickness. We are now all potential fatalities, thanks to Trump's mendacity.
6
Great article. Distribute to decision makers.
5
As an almost retired primary care physician, I'm comcerned about calling in retired medical professionals to help. Most of us are older than 65 and many have chronic medical conditions themselves.
While we could help elsewhere, assuming that we have maintained our licenses or even that the requirements could be waived, our risk is too high to be on the front lines.
"Repurposing" specialists who don't take care of infectious diseases or multiple acute problems is likewise not a solution
15
When he minimized comparing into a flu and that point he should’ve put his on containment he should’ve created the right amount of reassurance that if we work together in a responsible way we can at least slow it down. In no way did he warn listen to the The scientist an expert around him all he cares about is his image and the decimal point in his life and his bank statement
1
Trump has focusing on avoiding two things-- blame and recession. He probably won't escape the latter, but he is such a practiced con artist that he may get away with fooling enough people that he's doing a beautiful job. Still, it's hard to ignore the incompetence of the US having conducted only 11,000 tests, total, while South Korea is testing 20,000 people a day.
2
Thanks, hope someone reads this to the Donald.
One thing we need is relief from the financial concerns that will otherwise force most working people out of our self-quarantine. Three weeks at home, okay but how do we pay our bills? The landlord needs to pay the mortgage too.
So lets ask Congress to subsidize a month off for the whole country, figure out which professions (from sewage and power plant operators to groceries) we need to have a work and generously support those folks too.
It makes me sick to think that people who receive identical care to reach identical outcomes will pay vastly different costs. That's crazy and I am not down with a Horatio Alger lecture on people's "choices." when it comes to insurance.
This crisis is a real test of our commitment to every single human's health and their social value. Lets not flunk.
2
"Epidemiological models suggest that by late April we could have millions of Americans infected"
Can anyone explain to me how in China, Huvei province with population of 60 mln, the infection rate was (84,000) was below 0.2%, and in the US it is supposed to be millions of Americans. If we get below 1%, five times higher than in Huvei, that still would be only 360,000 infections. Those epidemiological models are entirely useless is they cannot account for the data that we already know.
Canadian Health Minister announced that she is expecting 30% to 70% of the population to get infected. That would be 30 to 70 times higher than in Huvei province.
Why there is so much interest in spreading the panic? Concern for the well being of Americans, Canadians? Somewhat I doubt it.
4
Employers should mandate to work from home when the work can be accomplished from home. Symptoms or no symptoms. Period.
My first level manager in essence made it harder to work virtual. Someone came to work with a cold/cough, he made me sick. Now more getting sick. Probably not coronavirus but not tests available so I wouldn't know.
People won't use sick time unless it becomes clear something bigger, by that time many others may have been infected.
What I do can be done from home, and I live in a hot spot area.
1
I'm all for paid sick leave, but the government should pay it, not small business owners. As someone who just opened a small business and is not yet making enough money to even pay myself (this is normal in my industry for the first 1-2 years), I cannot be expected to pay workers who aren't working. But we should have a social welfare program that does (it should pay health care for all too).
7
These steps are a good beginning. Still we have a government that dismantled entire sections of the CDC and NIH that were devoted to planning for health crises, because, the president said, "I don't want to pay people when we don't need them." Then the start of this virus in early January was ignored, leaving us where we are today.
Vulnerable older people and those who are immune-compromised will get very sick and many will likely die because we are not testing and we don't have the drive-through testing that is recommended. These steps are what the government should do, rather than what individuals should do.
Individuals needs to stay home, avoid social contact and try to get their emotional and psychological needs met through alternative means. If they don't, I predict we will see an increase in mental illness exacerbation along with this pandemic.
4
@Barbara Well said, especially the Trump quote about not paying people because there is no need. That dumb attitude is going to lead to many lives lost. Since New Year Eve, I have been tracking the virus. I fear Trump and his minions were doing a much lesser job back then. Trump's boasting cost us precious time -- truly a high crime and misdemeanor.
Unfortunately - everything I ever read about certain actions that need to be taken are always preceded by the American disease of drag your feet. Oh ya, we'll get to it - tomorrow.
So they decide to cancel a Basketball game/a tournament /schools / etc. (my grand kids schools are going to be closed, not today - but next week). Why on Earth, when some official is speaking can they not say NOW instead of LATER ?
In these schools I speak of, in the next 4-5 days, how many will be infected instead of NOW ? It is always excuses.
4
Regarding Number 5.
I am a retired physician and would be glad to help out in any manner I can if called upon.
That said, the state medical boards will have to accommodate special licensing for those of us who have not practiced medicine for several years.That goes for credentialing with respect to hospitals and clinics.
Presently it's very difficult to have one's license and credentials re instated even after less than a year's absence.
9
Just posted a similar comment, plus we're high risk, so we'd have to help in other ways.
2
"We should prepare to allow military medics to assist in E.R.s as well ... calling in the National Guard."
The military will, of course, do their duty with devotion and skill wherever and on whatever task they are deployed. But suggesting that military personnel and/or facilities can make a difference to our civilian population that is worth the inevitable readiness tradeoffs is an act of intellectual desperation.
The rest of us need to stick to reality and leave fantasy solutions to Trump. We are going to deal with this with what we have, and use these lessons to prepare future capacities.
3
bah ha ha ha. . . . you wrote all this for the President? The only way to save people's lives is for Trump to be forced out! The lines have been clearly drawn, The GOP is the most vicious enemy US has faced since WWII. They're deadly dangerous. They must be eliminated from public life. Aux armes, citoyens! Time is short
4
Mr. PresentDunce: We are all tired of "winning", just as you predicted. We want you to stop helping us win. Some of us have lost everything because of tariffs, some are swamped with medical bills because they can't afford insurance. The wall isn't helping us pay our bills. The Corona 19 pandemic will invade every community on Earth eventually. Millions of senior citizens are at extreme risk. Listen to the experts and tweet/read from their scripts, not Stephen Miller's. Hannity & Carlson are not medical experts. I'm praying for you, our country and our species.
4
As a Nurse for 36 years, it is disheartening to see that it took something of this magnitude to get people, especially doctors to be diligent with handwashing; the key to infection control. I can only hope and pray that good handwashing hygiene continues. I stay out of doctor's offices as much as possible for that very reason. I encourage people to ask your healthcare professionals to wash their hands if you don't at least see them using hand sanitizer in your presence. That is one of your many rights as a patient. SPEAK UP!!! As far as Trump is concerned, I hope that America can finally see how woefully ignorant and incompetent he is and send him packing---to the nearest prison. Unfortunately people tend to have short term memories and will forget the many disasters this golf playing grifter has only made worse by his "inactions" as well as actions such as dismantling the Epidemic Crisis team at the CDC in 2018. When a leader wants to make Public CDC information "Classified" to hide the real facts , everybody needs to be more than worried. Viruses have no Party affiliation and are not selective in whom they attack.
3
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Nick’s gritty journalism as he travels around the United States and the world
get over yourself
Randomly testing people without symptoms or mild cases, and keeping track of those who have survived the virus should be a priority. These are people who are not contagious and presumably immune from the virus. They can pursue life normally, and also serve on the front line to help those who are ill or self quarantined -- shop for them, nurse them, help with medical testing etc.. And of course, this will also help to map out where the virus is and how it spreads.
4
@BDS...
" Randomly testing people without symptoms or mild cases, and keeping track of those who have survived the virus should be a priority. These are people who are not contagious and presumably immune from the virus. "
DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING...!!!
1
Without free testing and care, the chance of slowing the spread infection will be nil. Paid sick leave for diagnosed cases is a great idea from those who have insurance and tests are plentiful. Those without insurance, or what qualifies as insurance, not so much. They will stay at work, if they have work, as long as possible because they have no other choice. Who cares about saving a $50. copay if the test is gonna cost you $3000? A payroll tax cut is a joke if you're a gig worker who works on a contract basis....The list of why our current health system based on profit does not help when we need it most goes on and on.
8
We have two key risks: 1) Businesses that collapse due to business disruption, think airlines and hotels; and 2) People that work even though they are sick, spreading the disease.
Businesses should be able to borrow at 2% from their banks to handle any business disruption provided they keep paying their employees, furloughed or otherwise; the banks should be funded by the Fed as necessary for these loans and Uncle Sam should guarantee them.
Companies should be able to file for reimbursement from Uncle Sam for expanded sick pay when there is a declared pandemic, as now.
4
Counting all the dead as a direct result of this president’s malfeasance will be a thing of the future, I predict.
4
Nancy Cox, the former Influenza Division director should come out of retirement and lead the effort at CDC. Her crisis management skills are unmatched.
5
The best. Thank you.
1
Fire Trump and Pence and put Nancy in charge.
12
@Jacquie I keep wondering HOW we can accomplish this? Any ideas?
2
@GGram Trump and Pence spent time at Mar-a-Lago this weekend with an aide to the President of Brazil who came down with the virus. There are photos of Trump standing next to him with Pence on the other side. Ivanka and Jared were also at the dinner for the group.
The virus might take care of it for us.
6
The rapid test S. Korea is using is probably an antibody test similar to a pregnancy test kit. PCR as CDC is using, takes hours, not minutes, an requires very specialized equipment. The question is, now specific is the antibody test?
@Diane Steiner " I believe from what I have been reading, that no matter what he says or does will never satisfy those who oppose him."
Trumps first inclination was to worry about the stock market and about "our numbers." He did not show ANY concern about patients themselves, current or future. He is only concerned about how it "looks" to the rest of the world.
Well, now the rest of the world knows exactly how incompetent and sociopathic Trump is. There is no going back from that "look."
12
I am all for the common sense solutions offered by public health professionals everywhere. I do however not believe there is a panacea for every pandemic or disaster that may befall our global village.
What is most evident however is that the USA is no longer capable of leading anything until it can return to the humanist values of its birth and that requires the metaphysics of establishing first principles.
I have been wrong many times throughout my life and will be wrong again but I still believe that electing a nihilist as president was not an accident.
Whether Trump is a super genius or a pathetic vacuous excuse for a human being he is essential a Nihilist.
Nihilist: Someone who believes life is meaningless.
Whether one is deeply religious or a secular humanism Nihilism seems to have gained a strong foothold in the USA and that is not good news for a world where the search for meaning has taken on new urgency.
Here in Quebec Greta is our spiritual leader and her vision of a different future has taken on new relevancy.
I am an old man who is still looking to a life of growth and understanding. I do not believe in an afterlife but L'Chaim is still the toast at our dining table. If I were a Christian L'Chaim would still be the toast I do not understand left behind , rapture, paradise or all the death cults that roil my world. I only understand life and whether we are prince or pauper death will come soon enough.
What happened to the politics of how we live not how we die?
3
What about the huge number of uninsured?
Do we just let them die?
They will. Covid-19 kills people in about a day in the second week. The uninsured will delay treatment and die as a result.
Thanks to Republicans!
7
These numbers on contagion rate & mortality rate of Coronavirus just do not agree with (i.e. are much worse than) the numbers in The New York
Times’ own reporting on the Corinavirus and how it compares to the regular seasonal flus we are familiar with. Perhaps Mr Kristof should read his own paper?
Legislation needs to be adopted ASAP mandating health care items--gloves, masks, wipes, meds, etc. need to be at least partially manufactured in the US. How did it happen that we exported just about kind of manufacturing abroad? Oh wait...I forgot...we won the cold war and then its was safe to unilaterally stand down.
Taking a page from the "China response," it sounds like we will also have to accept our separation from family members (even children) who are infected. The Italians are not doing this as aggressively as the Chinese and South Koreans and as such, clusters at the family level are spreading rapidly.
Oh, and we have to stop eating pangolins, civets and other strange animals.
All excellent points, Mr. Kristoff. It cannot be emphasized enough that this pandemic is NOT a problem to be addressed by Democrats or Republicans. It is a health crisis that ultimately must be addressed on a bipartisan basis. This is a time for the president and the joint houses of Congress to come together to address all the issues facing the nation. We, the people, are at their mercy and all this gaming, political posturing, name calling, is stupid and useless at this time. Let those in office be forewarned, we voters are watching you and judging your abilities to lead us through this crisis.
3
Unfortunately Trump is one of those not-so-rare people (there are also the millions who voted for him as well) who is so ignorant he does not know he is ignorant. Indeed, he absolutely believes he knows more about every subject than anyone else.
His question about why we could not use the flu vaccine to vaccinate against Corvid-19 exposed his utter ignorance of the subject and showcased the danger he is to our country (that ignorance is not unusual, but is dangerous in a person who is so ignorant he does not know he is ignorant and also believes he can make decisions based on his supposed "knowledge").
The fact is that Trump is making life and death decisions without accepting advice from the REAL experts.
Trump, as usual is a total failure as a "leader.". But all normal people knew that decades ago.
5
I am 70 with underlying respiratory problems. I am not waiting to be told what to do by the incompetent people in charge of the country's response to this crisis. I am isolating myself at home for 3 weeks. Everyone who can, should. Do what you can to help your poor relatives and neighbors who have no options.
4
Dubya gutted FEMA and appointed an incompetent person to "lead" it. Then Katrina pointed out that mistake. Oops.
Trump dismanteled the Pandemic Response team and has tried to gut the CDC and NIH. Now Covid-19 has pointed out that mistake. Oops.
Can all you Reepubs and Trumpers start getting a clue why voting for Republicans for ANY office is a bad idea?
9
President Trump needs to set the highest priority on preventing ARDS - Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. There needs to be more attention given to how the Innate Immune System and some of its components, NF-kB and Nrf2 can be used to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 virus. For instance, activation of Nrf2 can have a downregulating effect on the protease that is essential for the docking of COVID-19 into the ACE2 receptor. This means that Nft2 activators could diminish virus attachment to cells and thereby prevent the virus from replicating its RNA genome many times by taking over cellular RNA replication mechanism. Likewise NF-kB downregulators could hinder the virus' abilities to utilize the oxidative stress and inflammation stress promotion machinery of the cell to the virus' but not host's benefit.
An unusually silly column, even by the standards of the NYT. We have the CDC and needn't rely on trendy journalists for our medical advice.
The current total of deaths in the USA from this virus over the past month are about the number of people we lost to traffic accidents today between midnight and 6:00 am. But, perspective doesn't sell newspapers.
The amount of suffering that will result from a panic-induced global depression would make human losses from the virus seem quite mild.
We may yet drive to the poorhouses wearing our silly masks and seated six feet apart.
3
Amen!
please send this directly to Pence--not sure if Trump would heed your advice. Pence might...
1
Trump has Corona
2
That timeless truism 'nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people' is still a truism.
US refusing the WHO test is just another example of American arrogance of trying to prove we are the best, and Exceptional. Reinventing the wheel is our bureaucratic motto.
1
Trump's incompetence, insecurity, and ego are putting ALL Americans in serious danger. He needs to go NOW. Use the 25th Amendment. Give a President Pence no more than one week, and if he can't handle the responsibility, get rid of him, tool.
5
Coronavirus director VP Pence should declare a national day of prayer to deal with the threat.
1
Simply, this is Trump's 'Katrina'.
3
Like the University of Washington, the University of California hospitals offer a COVID-19 test with results within 24 hours: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article241101866.html
Trump knows only knows how to blame other for any problem that arises while constantly praising himself on every issue echoed by Hannity the sycophant on FOX STATE TV who rants about the wonderfulness of Trump breathlessly for an hour while trashing the evil dems . Trump is ill equipped to handle this crisis by his malignant narcissism overruling rational thought as everything is seen thru the prism of his fragile ego and need to lash out at any critique is a threat to his existence.
4
Incentivize staying home when sick. Pay for sick leave for everyone, NOW.
Take peoples temperatures several times a day. NOW. If a fever, test. Not 100% accurate, but will have major impact, ask the Chinese. Screen everyone daily.
Lock up the incompetent Trump and his henchmen. NOW.
3
To successfully combat any number of, or kind of, disaster takes a functioning government. But the party that has been in control of our Nation for most of the last 40 years believes that our government is the enemy and needs to be drowned in a bathtub.
There is a so called president so obsessed with destroying all the good that his predecessor accomplished that he gutted the very health agencies designed to combat this virus.
Our public airways are full of blowhards spouting conspiracy theories about corona-virus being a "democrat" plot to take down their "great leader" while approx. 1/3 of us believe their lies.
Our citizens had better decide in a hurry whether we want to be the United States of America or if we want to be a country full of scared, whiny sheep blaming all their misfortunes on their neighbors.
4
As in the case of wars I wait for the daily reports about Corona virus from our government in the Internet about the situation and measures taken to prevent the spreading of the Corona virus.
several comments.
1. We really don't know prevalence ie how many are infected in this country (or anywhere else for that matter). Without that number it is impossible to calculate a mortality rate. if virus is as widespread as it clearly is, with most people untested & recovering, the mortality rate is obviously much less than the scary figures reported. This does NOT mean we shouldn't be less concerned -- too much at risk from it obvious ease of spread.
2. As an ED physician, I feel like I am going in circles. Who do I advise to self quarantine? Response: "only those in close contact with someone who has tested positive". But we are only testing anyone sick enough to be admitted. So most of those who carry the virus won't be tested, therefore everyone they come in contact with is at risk and won't know it. Catch 22.
3. What about someone who has been in contact with someone after that person was potentially exposed, but before s/he got their quarantine notice? Answers are not available. We are struggling to do what we can with what sparse info we have.
4
So if other countries have ample testing, how do we get that to ramp up here? does it mean adopting a different set of standards pro-tem till domestically regulated industry catches up? Trump deserves all the blame that's due, but at this point I'd be more interested in moving the public health piece forward ASAP.
Thank you. I would like to add that the testing needs to be mandatory for EVERYONE, free of charge and CDC-supervised. The results need to be saved in a central databank. This way companies, universities, schools, service providers like airlines can make sure that people with positive results are kept out. This would return trust and minimize the economic impact. It would also help reduce the spread of the virus because people without symptoms but with the virus would be identified.
1
Funny to see China praised for containment when it started there due to an unregulated food market when the risks of trading that type of food are known.
2
When America was concerned about its academic shortcomings, a program called “ No child left behind” brought a flurry of testing. From the test results remedial actions were taken.
No business, short of carnival snake oil salesmen, would hype a solution to a problem without testing data to support the solution.
Maybe someone should remind the Republicans that older voters, who trend Republican, are most at risk. That might light a fire.
1
Other relevant measures to combat the virus dissemination:
A. periodically clean/desinfect public transport vehicles
B. Make wide available alcohol hand solution in public spaces (supermarkets, shopping centers) and encourage people to clean their hands
C. ...
1
According to the World Health Organization, since January COVID-19 has infected 118,322 people and killed 4,292 worldwide. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) statics, which were updated at noon unreported, there have been 1,215 COVID-19 cases reported and 36 deaths.
We don’t yet know if COVID-19 will turn out to be as lethal as seasonal flu. The latest CDC estimates show that since October seasonal flu has infected between 34 million and 49 million Americans, caused between 350,000 and 620,000 hospitalizations and killed between caused between 20,000 and 52,000 Americans.
It has been a typical flu season in the United States. The number of cases is dropping as it always does when the weather turns warmer. The number of coronavirus cases also typically drops when the weather turns warmer.
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200311-sitrep-51-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=1ba62e57_8
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm
What bothers me most is the lack of public condemnations of Trumps torrent of self serving lies about the virus, which have undoubtedly caused lost lives. Why on earth are the Democrats not shouting from the rooftops: he lied about it being contained
(along with that great medical expert Larry Kudlow loudly proclaiming it on television). He lied about “everyone who needs a test will have a test”, the “beautiful tests” everyone was getting right away. He lied about the the “miracle” of the virus disappearing in a few months (for his evangelicals no doubt). Nothing to worry about here. Sure go on a cruise, fly, go to a baseball game, and, oh, by the way buy the stock market (again the brown nosed liar Mr. Kudlow cheering that on). He lied about it all being just a hoax contrived by Democrats, so not really anything to worry about here. Carry on, it’s not real. Lies, lies lies. So again, the Democrats should point their finger at this self serving, immoral and greedy oaf to make sure he doesn’t get elected for another 4 years and continue the dangerous and corrupt behaviour that threatens the health, and in fact jeopardizes the lives, of millions of Americans, not to mention the world.
6
The trump pathetic response to this crisis is a national disgrace and has put many people at risk.
To anyone who still supports this self serving conman, I hope your getting what you expected.
Unfortunately we are getting exactly what many of us has always expected; denial, lies, misinformation, and gross incompetence.
1
Yeah right, as if this malignant narcissist sitting in the White House and his team of craven sycophants (which includes every republican member of both houses) would do anything in the public interest. We’re doomed.
4
Only 20 cases in Russia?
Good ideas to answer the fate news.
I miss Obama now more than ever.
3
What do you call advice that advises everything you are already doing? Politicization. Thanks for nothing.
Look, I don't want to leave my dog alone. I certainly wouldn't like leaving my mother alone in a nursing home.
This virus is deadly, and Donald keeps talking about hos "mild" most cases are.
"Mild" means no oxygen tent. You still are very sick.
Let's just decide to take care of the problem without regard for the politics. That is, let's ignore Trump for a minute until we get things under control.
1
FLATTEN THE CURVE!!!!!!!!!!
This event will shape culture and politics for generations to come. We will eventually do what needs to be done to combat this. However, we first need to combat resistance to change so that we can shift into a different paradigm.
We are on the Italian track. If we overwhelm our hospitals our CFR may be as high as 5%. At a 50% infection rate, that would be mean 170 milion * 5% = 8 million dead.
The exponential infection rate didn’t slow naturally in China and South Korea, it slowed because of decisive action.
Every day of complacency means thousands more will die.
WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE.
FLATTEN THE CURVE!!!!!!!!!!
6
We may be in an incipient global depression brought about largely by media-generated hysteria. Some good may result if such is the case:
* PC frivolities such as "sexism, racism, xenophobia, climate change, etc" may go out of fashion as people just scramble to stay fed.
* Colleges and universities will close or be forced to drastically economize. This will make higher education much cheaper.
It's an ill-wind that blows no good!
1
Disaster liberalism at its worst, it preys on peoples death to impose programs they've wanted for a decade. Shameful
The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
3
All viri attack with ferocious aggression, some more than others. They do not distinguish between capitalists and communists. Defence against them requires "state of emergency" measures. Every communist and western democratic state can imply these measures when a situation calls for them. In most European states there is such article in their constitutions. It is not true that Chinese style measures cannot be enforced in a western democracy. They are already in action in the whole of Italy and in many regions of other European states with state attorneys monitoring the situation. There are heavy penalties for those who do not comply.
In a crisis like this a descent government first looks after the elderly and those with limited resources.
1
Implementing the particular regulations will save lives. I suspect that the previous comment author was responding to the centralized authoritarian tone "Enough with your fiddling, Mr. President. Let’s roll." - and pining for leadership from the Presidency. This is the same totalitarian mindset manifest in China - where the Wuhan authorities couldn't take any action without approval from the centralized authorities. Yes - the presidential authority is required for some of these recommendations, e.g., restricting Int'l travel, coordinating use of military and other DHS resources.
However, promulgating the mind-set that we need to look to the Presidency for all solutions is fanciful and dangerous.
One should be encouraged to know that here in the US, public health officials and hospitals have in fact been planning for weeks to respond to the threat. All without having been told to do so by a President.
there is a flaw in your suggestions.
to bring back retired healthcare workers can only work if they are placed away from pt care, perhaps telemedicine or back room charting.
the most vulnerable now are the elderly.
2
Kristof for President :).
Would you bet your life on Donald Trump telling the truth?
3
I would wager the president is Covid19 positive, given his reckless behaviors and persistent denial. I would also wager he is not a very healthy person. Are you aware of steps that can be taken if he becomes (even more) debilitated? Asking for a friend.
1
If we ever needed real leadership and intelligence it's now.
Our President looked and sounded like a half bored teenager last night in his address. He offered nothing constructive past wash your hands... a message everyone has already gotten. He promised tests... like he has for the past 10 days, yet they are nearly impossible to get.
Imagine what Obama's response would have looked like and how the consipiritory far-right would have taken a move like shutting down EU flights.
This is going to be a looooonnnnnggg year.
7
retired healthcare staff are probably old right? smh. maybe not best idea
2
Where are the free testing locations in NY ..?
1
"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten US into!"
Laurel and Hardy
3
Step one should have happened more that a week ago, which was to fire the person in charged of of CDC.
You can’t be in medicine and say the president, who we all know knows nothing about medicine, wanted or didn’t want you to do this.
Ridiculous!!!!
I am surprised The NY Times has gone so easy on this person.
3
Amazing how a reporter who speaks with experts has a plan withi hours but this orange haired clown was too busy playing politics, golf and of course figuring out ways to protect his and the trump family wealth. The guy needed to be removed years ago, those of you who voted for this useless human being should wake up everyday and realize you contributed to a mistake. nothing you can do now but maybe next time pick up a newspaper or a book and learn something before you decide to vote for clowns.
10
South Korea has one of the highest infection rates in the world but in a nation of 50 million people they only have 63 critical care patients and far fewer deaths. Everyone gets on the television says there is no treatment but a month ago it was reported on korean tv that the standard of treatment (either kaletra or chloroquine for 10 days) was to be used to treat covid-19 patients who were either elderly or exhibited more than mild symptons. Why doesn't america follow South Korea after all were basically in a pandemic what do you have to lose?
2
Excellwnt idea! Thanks for this information.
If this is any kind of consolation this is dispatch from Israel...
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-made-oral-vaccine-for-coronavirus-on-track-but-testing-will-take-months/
It will take time to test, but at least it's on track.
2
Kristof for President!
1
Nick--you should be POTUS or at least head of HHS!!
1
Jared is Trump’s new pandemic advisor. Abandon all hope. Just shoot me now!
6
Someone please load this list directly onto Joe Biden’s teleprompter and have him read it in a calm voice. Game over.
8
.....other health officials? Do you really view Trump as a “health official “ or was this just a misprint?
2
13th step.
VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO on all ballots this November.
Vote for dem senators and house members, governors and dog catchers.
Let’s hope this pandemic can finally clean up the republican cancer FESTERING in the White House and throughout his administration.
12
With 10k of us reaching 65 every day you would we would be a lot further along the learning curve with respect to responding to such an issue.
Increasingly, we will be living in a country that has a lot more older people with risk factors associated with these type of viruses. A silver lining here would be for the presidential candidates to lay out there plans to prepare the country for such events.
In other words, this is not just a crisis--it is an opportunity...
1
Here in Norway, the government has taken action to close schools, restrict travel, increase testing, set guidelines to companies, preparing hospitals for a wave of cases - several of the things Mr. Kristof listed. It is disruptive, difficult, uncomfortable and costly but this is what is needed to get control. The U.S. is orders of magnitude larger scale, but these things should be done asap. Our collective health security (and economic wellbeing) is at stake.
I am OK with the travel restrictions to/from the U.S. during this period. I hope American family, friends and colleagues stay healthy and that the fewest number of people are infected.
1
Mr. Trump this, Mr. Trump that. It doesn’t matter who the president of the United States is, whatever here she does in a moment of real or imagined crisis will always be criticized by at least half of the population.
1
From New Rochelle. Take a big breath and calm down! We will be all infected at some point. This is what will happen with this flu like virus. Like the flu, the focus should be on prevention and protecting the elderly. Running around when your own risk level is low only increase the level of confusion and fear. We should take this event as a blessing. We now know that the level of preparedness of the Federal and local governments was beyond abysmal which is kind of surprising after H1N1 and else.
2
Who is responsible for making test kits in the US?
Why aren't they freely available? NO copay - you can't ask for money in a pandemic or people won't or can't get tested.
Europe with free healthcare has it right.
Why can't the US buy kits from overseas?
Why does it take Italy 2.5 houses to get a result (University of Padova Prof Crisanti test - developed in December on WHO guidelines) but it takes days in the US?
What about China's quick tests - ? results in minutes.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-02-15/China-develops-COVID-19-detection-kit-that-delivers-results-in-15-min--O6aPGKuzGo/index.html
On Feb 24, the Veneto region alone (pop 4.5 million) had already tested close to 7000 people. I was astounded that on Feb 25 or 26, Gov Newsom of CA (pop 4.5 million) say he had about '200 test kits' for the entire state. Why weren't tests ready in Dec here when they were ready in Taiwan and China and Italy.
I think the US is beyond containment. We need to shut the country down. Now.
It 'almost' doesn't matter where the most cases are. (It matters in terms of allocating resources, but not any more in terms of containment. The horse has bolted.) Utterly incompetent leadership.
Travel to Taiwan and Italy - reading local newspapers every day. Returning to the US it's as though nothing is happening. Life is as normal- schools, concerts, no masks. People going to sports events etc. Only now, close to 4 months after Wuhan, is the US saying 'we should test more people'..
3
Every one of your ideas are good but as long as Trump lies and pretends it's a "plot from a foreign bug made to make me look bad" nothing like your suggestions will happen. Look at the health officials nodding and staying silent during Trump's trip to the CDC. They're scared of Trump and Trump only cares about his ratings. With the GOP following Trump's lead we don't have any leadership at all. We have to take care of ourselves.
4
Out of the $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus fund, the government will spend a measly $826 million towards the development of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.
People are going around like chickens with their heads cut off closing schools, prohibiting public events, cutting off travel to Europe, etc. These are at best measures to slow the spread of the disease and reduce its impact. Yet it's unlikely the disease will be stopped
Yes, like chickens with their heads cut off, yelling do this, do that. But the government is devoting only chicken feed towards the development of the only two possible long term solutions: vaccines and treatments. During WWII the atom bomb was quickly developed in the Manhattan project. Why not spend, say, $50 billion dollars to fund a Manhattan project now for the development of vaccines and treatments. The economic damage alone done by this virus could justify such an expenditure. With such money you could hire many more researchers, etc. You could run massive animal testing, even concomitant with human testing. You could hire many people to reduce evaluation time at the FDA. You could speed up the time it will take to manufacture vaccines and treatments.Etc.
Unless this virus for some reason just fades away or subsides in destructive power or strength of contagion, our national life and our national economy will continue to be disrupted and many people will die. So, why not a Manhattan project?
3
@Timothy
Very sensible! Guarantee you though that this won't be the lesson we learn or approach we will take. Measured and thoughtful with risk tolerance is beyond us, and being proactive pipe dream.
Sure, it's embarrassing when you've been wrong, especially in public view.
This could be a wonderful moment for the president, personally and for his presidency.
Admit you've been wrong.
Enlist Republican and Democrat group to marshal strong coordinated response.
Follow their lead.
Heal the nation!
2
Number 1 proactive measure in epiCenter Seattle should be crowd size, no more than 100 people, usually 6 feet apart!
Number 2 proactive measure should be to quickly start testing at least a few hundred of the homeless—because they are at HUGE risk. Keep monitoring samples of the homeless every few days!
Because once it hits unchecked among one of the largest homeless populations in USA, it will absolutely explode all over Seattle. In fact, could put the city in lockdown, like what Italy looks like!
2
Excellent column and it makes perfect sense. That is the reason these steps won't be taken.
Trump et al need to make very aggressive, immediate, affirmative moves to reduce exposure to this virus before the entire nation is infected.
3
Universal healthcare, like I had and loved while I lived in Japan and France, is necessary. Sanders is right. Biden has just said he would veto universal healthcare. Sanders2020
5
OMG, yes! Every one of your suggestions is warranted and valuable. Incrementally ratcheting up measures is foolish against a virus as virulent as this one. I would also suggest that media downplaying this crisis cease and desist immediately. This is a public health emergency of proportions not seen in a century. Everything that can be done should be done NOW - not after the fact. An aggressive proactive attack will save lives.
2
Beautiful piece.
1
Why do news media continue to refer to the disease Covid-19 as coronavirus? Laziness? or inaccuracy?
1
Trump was not removed by the impeachment process but his behavior of bribery and extortion pales in comparison to his utter incompetence and apathy in dealing with Convid-19 and that should be sufficient reason to remove him from office. He obviously cares only about his image and we cannot afford to suffer for it.
3
Here are a few others:
1) Proactively test residents and workers in nursing homes, health care workers and other vulnerable populations so you can spot outbreaks without waiting for them to display symptoms or notify a doctor they're not feeling well.
2) Data analytics of search engines and web traffic. This has been shown to reveal outbreaks of other illnesses as localized spikes occur in certain keywords.
3) Create mobile field hospitals such as the ones used by the military to provide rapid response and boost hospital capacity in outbreak zones.
4) Provide leadership to the American people of the "Only YOU can prevent the spread of disease" variety, flooding the broadcast channels with PSAs containing specific, easy-to-follow instructions to slow the spread of disease and protect the healthcare system and their fellow citizens. Not just "Wash your hands," but when and how to do so, along with other Dos and Don'ts, where to volunteer to help, we're all in this together, etc.
5) Provide career-specific guidance for businesses and individuals who work in hands-on roles with people, similar to food safety procedures to help service personnel like home health care workers, massage therapists, cosmetologists, and hundreds of other jobs learn how to reduce their risk of contracting a viral infection at work.
4
In the list of 'don't bail out', first, and foremost, shud be certain specific hotels,resorts, and golf courses....
4
We should invite experts from China to come here as advisers. They have more experience in dealing with this new Coronavirus crisis. No harm to try with the China hands. At least China is able to do something to reduce the number of new cases. No more guessing games from our experts including news media experts. More confusion.
1
One thing that hasn't been brought up is the fast-food industry. What is the likelihood of an infected fast-food work spreading COVID19? Not saying I like thinking about someone coughing on my cheeseburger, but fast-food workers are not exactly encouraged to take sick days.
48
@Kevin It's a good time to avoid eating out for that very reason. They also don't usually have time to wash hands frequently, or change gloves.
3
@Kevin
I live in the Seattle area and understand your concern. I am also concerned however, for the many hourly employees of restaurants and other businesses who are not working and don’t have much of a safety net. Economic protections need to be rolled out for people who have rent/mortgages and food to buy.
5
Seriously, maybe you should be running things.
2
I just found out that kushner is 'researching' the coronavirus so that he can give his in-law daddy advise (probably because nothing was coming from 'pray-it-away' pence)
I suppose all U.S.A. citizens can sleep well now, soon the man 'who brought peace to the Middel-East' will have a cure ready! The cure will be promoted by the fox boys and girls and will available on the trump organization website in exchange for a financial contribution to a chosen charity owned by the trump organization.
Voila, crisis solved and trump re-election secured plus a Nobel price for medicine for kushner!!
4
CDC, NIH, FDA —and the USA SURGEON GENERAL!!!—are the only ones who should make recommendations.
1
Time for the insurance companies to shine.
I am sure they will step up and do whatever it takes* to cope with this crisis.
*subject to maintaining profitability.
3
step 1
Get rid of trump and the republican party-the anti-science -science,hoax driven bunch of dangerous death inducing know nothings.
7
When the president made Jared the corona virus expert, I knew we were doomed.
9
"desperately need tests to determine who has had the virus and now has immunity." From my understanding, having had the virus does not make you immune. You can get it again: https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-risk-of-reinfection-2020-2
All of the things mentioned are needed, but need to emphasize production of new ventilators immediately, more hospital beds, higher production of sanitizers, masks--president can ask for increased production of any of the items needed for treatment and for protection of the elderly--hand sanitizer is virtually unavailable now.
2
Thank you, Nicholas. Your article is inspiring. Let me give you this shout out: This is what democracy looks like.
2
Everyone is suddenly an "expert" on Coronavirus and can criticize anything and everything someone does or says. I have read more comments from experts in the health care field and journalists who have a different take on this pandemic. No matter what is done there will always be someone to tell us how it can be done better or differently. Let's go back to not getting the information sooner from China. They kept it quiet for too long and did not help the situation we are facing now. I am not a Trump supporter but he did not create the virus, and I believe from what I have been reading, that no matter what he says or does will never satisfy those who oppose him.
15
@Diane Steiner
Were it any other president, more people would agree with you. But Trump's record on caring for anyone other than himself and rich friends is too obvious to miss.
47
@Diane Steiner No one is accusing Trump of creating the virus, but it is unequivocal that his handling of this has been completely incompetent. Yes, China kept things quiet but how do you explain why other countries like Singapore and Australia have been able to test, control and track the virus' spread so much better than the US despite the fact that they are geographically closer to China and see plenty of visitors from China? The US arguably had more time to prepare but it was squandered because the Trump administration willfully suppressed the dissemination of accurate information about the virus and hamstrung the medical community's ability to test quickly and widely. Trump handled this no better than Xi Jinping.
49
@Diane Steiner
The problem is that whatever trump has done or will do, he has yet to give anyone any confidence that he and his advisors have a handle on the issues facing us. His first efforts were to strengthen the stock market with interest deductions. He refused the WHO test kits and wants to suspend social security and Medicare deductions for American workers.
He may not have caused the virus, but his leadership has been feeble at best. This is his first adversary that can't be bullied or called a name, nor can his courts rule against it.
25
If you believe the 2020 election falls on the right somewhere between the spiked and flattened curves on the now infamous graphic it becomes obvious why the administration was slow to act...
2
Re "Dr. Tom Frieden, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...."
Why listen to this guy? Was his uncle an MIT professor? Huh? Was he?
/s
Sorry - but half these ideas are just dumb.
1
Can we please get our idiot president to step aside and let Dr Fauci or some other (NOT that idiot Pence) with integrity and who knows what they are doing to lead this?
I did NOT watch our profoundly ignorant, inarticulate, pathological liar's speech. What would be the point of this? Reading today's NYTimes articles show that trump's incompetence and stupidity was again on full display.
EU travel ban with zero consultation with EU leaders?
Oy Vey ?
3
It’s all a Democrat hoax, remember?!
2
Would someone please email this column to the White House?
1
@Oceanviewer
Too bad it's not short enough for a Tweet.
1
https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/covid-19-coronavirus-infographic-datapack/
Calm down people.
1
Most of this is wishful thinking till we do the ONE thing that make all the other steps possible.
1) Vote for every Democrat in every election every year, local, state and federal.
5
That’s later.
This is now.
Thanks for the great list -- but we have lost all control over the situational at this point. The government failed to provide free and widely available testing from the get go. They should have put down a web of surveillance in January so we could get a tight hold on it. We have currently tested less than 10,000 people -- so the prevalence of this thing is basically unknown. Now businesses, institutions & local governments are flying in the dark -- making wild and frantic decisions based on speculation. We are going to see panic. Lesson learned -- we need laws that would protect government agencies responsible for disaster response beyond the whim of incompetent politicians who cut or defund those programs out of ignorance. Other countries have this -- they are handling this pandemic very differently. If we don't get some leadership - this is going to make 2008 look like a hay ride.
1
@Julie
I can see how it is helpful for public health to know the prevalence of the disease but I don't see how it is otherwise helpful for the public? If you are not feeling well, it doesn't really matter if you have covid. Isolate yourself! More testing just to placate Americans' desire to have a sense of control is ridiculous.
Great idea- bringing in retired doctors and nurses- the people most in the age range for mortality from the virus. Who thought up that idea?
3
FWIW, malpractice coverage insurance companies are sending out Telehealth guidelines to healthcare providers to follow during the Coronavirus crisis.
This list is far too practical for our current coterie of dysfunctional leaders.
Maybe some state and local governments will pick up on this sound advice and run with it thus mitigating the damage.
I type this as a city employee who is impatiently awaiting the powers that be to mandate work from home policies...
Yesterday, as one sports season after another was disrupted or canceled, I realized my earlier thoughts about this pandemic were coming true.
Our society is breaking down.
Thousands, if not millions, of people are incrementally being thrown out of work and their sense of reality is being shattered. And they will react at some point.
And I expect the people to blame Trump.
Any leader who comes to power with mob rule, goes down with mob rule.
That's written in stone, ladies and gentlemen.
You take sports away from Americans, tell them to stay home, take their jobs and their ability to go out and carouse at will...and all hell will ensue at some point. I am speaking of younger, poorer Americans. The poor devils who elected Trump and expect him to pull a rabbit out of his hat and fix this with a sharpie pen will not do well when faced with dire conditions.
I hope America's true self is revealed in the next few months. A decent, thoughtful, law abiding self that has nothing to do with Trump.
Our state governors have been a blessing so far, ignoring the Fed's failed attempts at Coronavirus containment.
Trump is a Fred Flintstone at the wheel. A buffoon looking busy but accomplishing nothing but chaos with Barney at his side, co-signing the blunders and denial with simple nods of his head like a pez candy dispenser.
MAGA...a farce that is now being revealed every day, every hour.
5
@Sparta480
Sadly, our governor is Barney Rubble, nodding his head at Fred's idiocy and turning a deaf ear to his citizens' questions and concerns. We do have an excellent state epidemiologist and as long as he and his staff are allowed to do what they need to do, that will be some help.
Great leaders inspire the public to work together and share sacrifice in order to defeat an enemy in times of crisis. Today, the enemy is a virus. I know that empathy and inspiration are not highly considered attributes of President Trump, but I think this should be on top of the list, since the items you list will take massive collaboration.
Here's an idea that flips convention on its head, given the predicted large numbers of individuals that will be afflicted, the idea of a "firewall", and remembering the cowpox "vaccine" that eventually lead to suppression of smallpox as a global health threat. The idea: expose (selected) people to the virus. These should be at low risk of health complications and willing to self-quarantine. Provide them assistance (financial or logistical) so they can sustain the quarantine with minimal risk and complications. Check that they are virus free regularly during the quarantine. Thereby a large fraction of the population can be innocculated and will, ideally, slow spread of the virus, a process similar (but probably even more effective) than vaccination.
1
Mr. Kristof, from what I have read elsewhere I do not believe surmounting a coronavirus infection confers any immunity from reinfection or infecting others...perhaps your list of steps should be amended to reflect this -
Mr. Kristof, you would make a better President than you know who. Have you considered running for Office?
Fear of income loss and fear of medical expense are only two of three major disincentives to seeking health care.
The third is fear of deportation. Without a serious attitude adjustment on the part of the administration, COVID-19 will run wild in the undocumented population, and be transmitted to the population at large.
1
Well, I call that a mix of somewhat sensible recommendations related to the virus, mixed with a bunch of unnecessary ones to expand the welfare state. Forever. You liberals are so clever! Was it Rahm Emanuel who said never waste a good crisis?
1
Nero fiddled, Trump golfs. Pundits yak and yak.
1
That's what the President should have said last night. Well thought out. Well said, but I think you forgot to say, the "Chinese Virus" or "Foreign Flu." God help us.
12 steps is too many. Trump got bored after the third one, handed it off to Pence, and went to West Palm Beach to play golf.
In the future Trump will be considered the most incompetent President of the Century
Government services and the cost to provide them: Oh how we love to condemn our government and complain about taxes. Oh how inefficient. Oh how unconstitutional. Oh how we should run government like a business.
Now we see how the ridiculousness of these views is exposed. We could also see this if our garbage was not collected, or our sewers backed up into our homes, or if our roadways began to fail. We take so much for granted everyday, and much of what we take for granted is our government services.
Now, government workers are on the front lines of this crisis. We look to them, because they are conscripted to serve during an emergency. We look to them, because they know what to do. We look to them because they care about citizens and residents alike.
So now we will see how foolish people like Trump and Gaetz and Jordan and Bannon really are to advance the “deconstruction of the administrative state.” Foolish, selfish, ignorant, and UnAmerican! And deadly.
5
Perfectly said and laid out here, Mr. K. Thank you. Let us hope we haven’t completely left the station on this one.
We can deal with our moronic, incapable so called president later.
The Trump administration won't declare a national health emergency so monies can go to state health departments and others until Jared Kushner finishes his research on whether this is a good idea.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/3/11/1926602/-White-House-won-t-decide-on-COVID-19-emergency-status-until-Jared-Kushner-does-his-own-research
2
Dereliction of duty! Clearly, the Trump Administration has failed miserably thanks to his endless steam of hubris, coverups, and lies. How can anyone continue to support this completely incompetent and pathetic excuse of a president? We need a real leader to restore confidence. I’m losing hope.
1
Expecting this horse to change midstream
Is a pipe dream
1
Trump is not just "fiddling." he does not care about the people. He cares about winning, himself winning at any cost to the people. He is psychopathic.
1
A country run by Hannity and Bannon and Trump and McConnell is a country in jeopardy.
3
12:02pm Trump is sitting in the Oval Office still LYING. While commenters are describing their returns to the US from Yesterday with NO interaction at our airports to monitor their virus exposure, trump is saying that thousands are being tested on their return.
They ARE NOT.
Why isn't someone asking him why he is lying?
This is why the stock market is tanking.
Trump just said he is 'very busy'.
Doing what?
Lying?
NO ONE even bothers to check this guy in real time.
He gets away with his lying and incompetence every single time.
1
I trust that Trump will do what is necessary to protect the US from the Chinese Coronavirus. We all pray for him to be successful.
1
The President simply doesn't comprehend the reality of this virus. even though his speech last night oozes with his incomprehension, He assuages us that this isn't a "financial" crisis. Thanks! Such a soothing guy. But can he read a teleprompter, sort of. Pence is clearly a deer in the headlights, over his head, tripping on his shoelaces.
The people of America are 10-21 days behind Europe in a horrendous crisis, If we had testing, we would have a better sense of where we are in this, but government bureaucracy is preventing that. What?? And we just watch and tap and hoard and think that's a response??
We must use the experience of Italy to gauge our situationAll Americans urgently need to contact Congress, our governors, our local leaders and demand a modicum of leadership now, before the waves hit. Waiting for November won't cut it. Just hunkering down with stuff is not going to be adequate, either.
And hey, while you are stocking up, buy some dry stores to donate to the many people who may have to hunker down but don't have the cash to lay up a supply. Drop it by the Salvation Army. It will make you feel better when you hunker.
1
This is great and straight out ot the Democrat party playbook. 1. Blame the President with unsubstantiated claims. 2. A supposed journalist giving advice on how to solve a problem...priceless.
1
You, as a standard victim of Trump Derangement Syndrome, make a bad mistake.
The key to implementing restrictive measures is to dio them at the right time. If they are too early, they will have to continue long beyond the stated length, unless they are absolute,
such as banning all travel between counties and absolutely shutting our national border.
If Trump had done that, you would be attacking him now,
and even more in the future.
You would be attacking Trump no matter WHAT he did.
If Obama were president, you would be praising him for his excellent response, no matter what he did. That's simply your standard left wing knee-jerk response. You and the NYTimes no longer have an editorial credibility that is a positive number.
Fiddling, aside from constant lying, seems Trump's 'specialty'. This vulgar brutus ignoramus seems the real danger here, an impediment in the implementation of real measures to know the extent of the coronavirus pandemia, but to best protect us from those with the disease... and the need to isolate those patients in an effective and efficient way. Trump must be told to shut his big mouth...if that's even possible. What a disgrace is Trump to this country and to the world.
1
Excellent advice everyone should read but most importantly our egregious administration--the one that must be held accountable for putting so many Americans at risk due to their sheer greed, stupidity and hubris. I weep for what is coming for our country and how DT is directly responsible for how hard the hit is going to be.
1
The rest of the world is critical of Trumps slow response to contain the virus. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12316148
2
Don't forget the most important:
13. trump must command ICE & Border Patrol to round-up and arrest every "foreign virus" entering the U.S. illegally!
3
Trump is certainly useless, but Mr. Kristof isn’t a doctor or researcher—what the heck does he know? Let’s skip the armchair quarterbacking.
2
The only good thing that could possibly come of this is if that guy at CPAC ends up infecting Trump, McConnell and all Republicans to eliminate them forever. That would be a first step to make America great again.
4
The public and our representatives should know that in the midst of the Corvid-19 crisis the U.S. Army this month sent 20,000 troops to Europe for military exercises. They will return to the U.S. in a period of months. This is irresponsible toward the U.S. and European public and the resources could have been spent to slow the pandemic. For information see
https://www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope/
2
All good suggestions, but all likely to be unseen or ignored by the current so-called administration. Perhaps you can get this list read on Fox News?
1
Our country is a mess. thanks trumpster and ilk. If we are serious about getting ahead of this virus, we need to stop whining "no fair" and start doing the needful. If we had tested everyone in January, we would have a better idea about who is infected. Now, we don't have a handle on the numbers and this idiot in charge is still trying to prop up his wealthy pals by suggesting we throw more money to the wealthy. Viruses do not discriminate. They are equal opportunity infectors. Here in NJ, I am employed by the state. We have not had a single email, meeting, or information session about what to expect from anyone. I can't work from home. Many can't. What are we to do if they shutter the gov't? Communication is non-existent from management or the state law makers. This is not acceptable. Since we are all left to our own devices in dealing with this disease, I think we should all self-quarantine for 14 days, get everyone tested and go from there. We will not be able to get this under control with more tax cuts or stimulus spending. Just stay home; it won't kill you, but the virus might!
1
I read about the director of the CDC, Robert Redfield, and his praise of the president's actions on COVID-19 and my mind flashes on the scene from 1931's Dracula when his guest RENFIELD becomes possessed and extols the vision he had been given by the Count himself: "...Rats! Rats! Rats! Thousands! Millions of them! All red-blood! All these will I give you! If you will obey me!"
Unquestioning fealty can be a very dangerous thing.
Are there any mirrors in the Master's Suite at Mar-a-Lago?
1
Nick should be president! This is what our incompetent leader should be doing!
1
America has had its head in the ground since the first American in Washington State was diagnosed with Coronavirus. The CDC’s utter failure of encouraging testing and sharing the burden with state-level testing facilities to diagnose and contain infected individuals was negligent. The CDC gets an F minus as does this whole federal government administration.
Yes, number 1 should be free testing sites, like Germany. Anyone should be able to request a free test. This means making exceptions to current regulations to get ’er done.
The shutting down of testing for Coronavirus at Dr. Chu’s flu testing research lab in Washington State demonstrates the total incompetence and lack of understanding of the level of threat to the US public.
In dire situations it’s all hands on deck! Now!
It makes you wonder if the Trump strategy is “if you don’t test, then the numbers can’t be reported” thinking the problem was overblown, thus compounding the problem by not identifying and isolating the outbreaks Then add to the incompetence dipstick Hannity declaring the Coronavirus is all a hoax. Tell that to all the dead seniors in Washington State, Mr. Hannity.
4
This video shows the treatment guidelines instituted last month in South Korea by the government.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEGPtf7QGSM
My biggest question is, if we are the richest free world economy in the world why are we so behind in this?
Where was the funding, the preparation, the healthcare for our citizens, the equipment, the concern, the leadership????
Oh wait...never mind.
Good night America...240 years the dream has died with those who voted for and continue to support the cancerous republicans and his administration.
A quote from the stable genius and according to the access Hollywood tape, self proclaimed sexual predator last night....
“This is not a financial crisis,” he said. “This is just a temporary moment in time that we will overcome as a nation and a world.”
The only way we as a WORLD will overcome this is when you and yours are no longer in the White House making comment to the public like that.
2
Guys , try PCR-test for cats!!! The same mechanism of the virus. There is no cure for cats FIP. But there is simple test: blood and smear. And GS-441524 vacine. Look for the article “Efficacy and safety of the nucleoside analog GS-441524 for treatment of cats with naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis”
13. Try not to have a panic attack live on air as you address the nation from the Oval Office in an attempt to calm the country.
1
New York Times, please take all your COVID-19 articles, especially ones like this with useful information outside of the paywall. Everyone needs to see this urgent information.
3
"We urgently need “rapid tests” — offering results in minutes "
Here is an example of reporter, opinion writer, columnist ignorance. The current state of technology to test for the presence of virus in a person is Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR, which takes time to complete, hours. There is no minutes to results test available.
1
Here's today's report from Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-secrecy-exclusive/exclusive-white-house-told-federal-health-agency-to-classify-coronavirus-deliberations-sources-idUSKBN20Y2LM
Looks like the goal has been to squash the dissemination of facts that would underline the incompetence of this administration, not to stem the tide of infection.
2
Trump says, "No travel from Europe to the US, except the UK."
So an infected person can't go Asia-Delhi-London-NYC . . or Hong Kong-Sydney-SF ? You get the picture
‘Let it roll the GOP first’ appears to be fate news.
1
I'm surprised President Trump hasn't announced the building of a wall all around the U.S. to keep the virus out. And Corona Beer will pay for it!
2
My biggest question is, if we are the richest free world economy in the world why are we so behinds in this?
Where was the funding, the preparation, the healthcare for our citizens, the equipment, the concern, the leadership????
Oh wait...never mind.
Good night America...240 years the dream has died with those who voted for and continue to support the cancerous republicans and his administration.
A quote from the stable genius and according to the access Hollywood tape, self proclaimed sexual predator last night....
“This is not a financial crisis,” he said. “This is just a temporary moment in time that we will overcome as a nation and a world.”
The only way we as a WORLD will overcome this is when you and yours are no longer in the White House making comment to the public like that.
3
Mike Pence was on CBS this morning praising trump for closing the border to Europeans as if it will make any difference to the spread of the virus that is already here. He couldn't say specifically how testing is going to get done at the volume we need, but he did emphasize that the CDC is sending "guidance" to the states.
Yippee, guidance.
Where's the test kits Mike? You're getting owned by the South Koreans and the states on this. Please stop embarrassing yourself.
1
Everything Trump touches dies.
3
Go Nick!
1
“The University of Washington set up a drive thru system.....” Is this for health care workers? In Seattle, glued to news reporting, but haven’t heard about drive thru testing here.
Since you gave no details on South Korea's strategy we can't know how to duplicate it.
1
I do believe all the steps suggested by Nicholas are excellent. What is missed, I think, is a "public relations" strategy. The market is tanking because we are at the point in the crisis of uncertainty and fear. How to tamp down the fear? A couple of ideas I hope will be considered:
1. A nightly recap of the day's events by the surgeon general and the head of the CDC. Perhaps they take a few questions from reporters but not enough to stoke more fear. The result is that information about the virus from respected officials will reduce people's fear of it. This should take place every night at exactly the same time. Repeat facts about the virus, and progress being made. Get the politicians off the screen!
2. Another way to alleviate the fear is to interview people who have had the virus and who have successfully recovered from it. What is their story? How sick did they get? What challenges did they have? Was it worse than the flu? What are the symptoms? How long were you out of work? Once people see that you can get this illness but recover fully from it, I think the fear will be lessened and we can possibly reduce some of our collective anxiety.
2
The only thing Trump knows how to do immediately (or possibly at all) is post a Twitter message. We're screwed.
2
Add #13: Close down ICE. There are many undocumented immigrants who are afraid to venture anywhere near a hospital or testing center. And they can never line up for any financial help -- all because they are afraid of being nailed by ICE. Sadly, some of these people can be exposed and more sadly, pass it to others, all because they have to live in the shadows.
2
Very good suggestions Mr Kristof. I hope someone in the USA government can implement them ASAP. I think it is too late to be looking for isolated cases and try to find out where a person got infected.
I think the USA have to do what Italy is doing and stop people travelling and ask them to stay home unless there is an emergency. It is not fun but the alternative is the hospitals have too many people as more people get sick from travelling.
That will slow transmission.
Not sure why the US hasn't been taking this seriously until now and why it hasn't been testing people. Does anyone know? Is the US unable to make tests? Can they import some from other countries then?
Also you are a China expert Mr Kristof. Don't you think the absolute paranoia and incompetence of China's government (scolding the poor doctor who alerted the world about the virus.. and then died) contributed to this and is this not a good time to encourage Chinese to see this and push for regime change?
2
The virus lives on surfaces, this is why they are cleaning and spraying. I am a retired Hospice nurse and became very concerned about infection control. With hospice services come physicians, nurses, aides, chaplains, musicians, and even volunteers. They travel from assisted living facilities, to nursing homes, hospitals and private homes. Same is true for home nursing and other home medical services. They carry in too much stuff that is contaminated. There are protocols such as “Bag technique” that is rarely even addressed especially with those services outside of nursing. This is a process that brings in nothing unnecessary and addresses clean bag technique. There are several videos in line that address this. I caught MRSA at a Nursing home. My hospice required that we be available by phone at all times and that we bring our computer to the bedside and chart there before leaving. Terrible situation for infection control. All of these services bring in bags sometimes wheeled across hundreds of surfaces and put them without a physical barrier on your surface. Now we need to do the same, no unnecessary backpacks of purses, leave them home in all situations not just when going to visit a nursing home.
2
I don't think it's so much Trump being in denial; i think it's much more the fact that he has no clue how to be a leader.
2
My husband and I both work for small businesses that depend on people showing up in large groups-- a theater and a youth performance school. Hearing that large corporations are stepping up with sick leave is fantastic, same with the push to pass mandatory paid sick leave for all. But I worry about the small businesses that simply can't afford to provide extended days of sick leave, especially when hit with the potential loss of customers or having to shut down entirely for a limited time. Of course I am focused on my own financial well being, but I am also worried about how social distancing measures will impact these businesses and what financial help will be available. If there isn't a plan for aid to this sector, a lot of small businesses are going to be in dire straits.
2
Sanders is right. And the majority of the American people know we need this basic cornerstone of civilization, universal healthcare. Biden has just said he would veto it. That’s ‘healing’ the nation? Not my president, Biden. Not my president.
1
Stop saying that the U.S. has the best healthcare system in the world... The world knows that we don't. And we know that we don't. What goods do the most advanced technologies do when people don't have any access to it or even be able to pay for it?
6
Inslee has NOT done a good job in Washington. Most of my relatives live in Seattle, and I follow healthcare sites, AP Seattle, Seattle Times and more.
Inslee has only FINALLY limited crowds, but only did so 2 days ago. PRO Sports stadiums were filled with thousands of fans a week ago. The Seattle Convention Center had 50,000 people attend the Pacific NW Flower and Garden Show in one block of downtown Seattle just 2 weekends ago. Many got there riding the Link rapid transit train, or by buses.
It took 25,000 U Washington students petitioning for weeks before classes were switched to online.
A Seattle scientist has been saying for weeks that there are almost certainly 1,000 untested but infected people walking around Western Washington—Seattle and 3 counties.
In past half week, he has found proof that the virus signature that is specific to Seattle was actually present on the first identified passenger who boarded a Princess Cruise in Seattle.
That scientist says it wasn’t a foreign nation, but Seattle, that was the origin of virus spread undetected on a Princess Cruise for days, before quarantine.
Ohio just hit 4 cases of COR19. Our Governor immediately restricted crowds to 100 people—far smaller than what STILL is allowed by the Governor of Washington State, US epi center of the pandemic.
And what about the Seattle homeless population—one of the largest in US? Will testing and isolation start for the infected of them? If not, the virus will explode.!!!
3
I say a lot more people recovered than died from the virus. Once they recovered, they gain immunity. We should emphasize that as a beacon of hope. China is seeing less new cases, in part the population is starting to gain immunity against it.
Putting data side by side, this new virus is not really that much worse than seasonal flu. Even though I think it’s best to prevent any kind of disease, personally I don’t mind it and certainly won’t let it affect my daily life by practicing more conscious personal hygiene.
@Tom L : What data are you looking at? The case fatality rate for COVID-19 is reported to be between 2.5% and 3.4%, while the case fatality rate for influenza is 0.1% to 0.2%.
This makes COVID-19 TEN TIMES more deadly than the flu in the best case scenario.
2
@Tom L " this new virus is not really that much worse than seasonal flu. " Please stop repeating that false statement.
The mortality rate of the flu is .1%, but our data (so far) puts the Covid-19 mortality rate to AT LEAST 1% (to quote Dr. Fauci) and the W.H.O. is saying 3.4%, making it at least 10 times more fatal than the flu.
Please cite DATA, not opinion.
2
Seems Trump is still snoozing in addressing Convir 19 in the US.
He should have declared a National Emergency and got on with mobilizing the entire nation to include those military assets directly relevant to the medical challenges, transportation, and essential emergency services.
4
To save lives we should find a way to determine who has recovered from the virus and ask them to donate their IgG for the sickest patients. This should be faster than developing a vaccine and buy us time to create one.
3
@Jennie Think about that. Do we have the extra lab capacity, at this time? I believe we should be using available lab capacity for test verification (for all requisite illnesses), then for surveillance testing for Covid-19, and this presumes those labs currently working (24/7, hopefully) on a vaccine will "continue the march".
1
@Jennie
I don't know enough about this subject, but I think this is an excellent idea. Isn't that how the Ebola virus was treated? Weren't antibodies taken from someone who survived an Ebola infection and injected into other infected patients and they recovered as well?
Thank you, Mr. Kristof, for sharing clear and urgent steps we need to take. I've been beside myself trying to understand how we are nearly two months into this crisis and still have almost zero testing ability. Having just read a piece in the LA Times about limited supplies that are crucial to the testing, it unfortunately sounds like we are not poised, locally or nationally to get ahead of this. The anxiety around the pandemic is being vastly compounded by the clear lack of leadership and planning from the top. Let's hope leaders at the local and state levels continue to step up.
7
It is difficult to make decisions on a personal level about whether to self-quarantine or undertake other measures to limit exposure. I felt this even though I have full freedom (and encouragement from management) to work from home indefinitely. There was always a nagging voice in my head that reminded me how my productivity will suffer.
It took an aggregate of multiple warnings, recommendations and reassurances to keep myself at home. A better man than I would have reacted sooner and more willingly. But I feel a more drastic action (e.g. temporary company-wide hiatus) that takes the decision from my hands would be beneficial.
2
Excellent suggestions -practical, actionable, effective steps to slow the spread of Covid19. Sure beats denial and panic. I can think of another - college students being sent home from dorms could step up and mind the children of front line responders.
3
Unfortunately you are asking this administration to Plan. The only Plan they have in place is how to get Trump reelected. The proposed measures are long over due... this is something that should have happened at the first part of February. Of course, when allegiance to the Party and the President is more important than competency, what should we expect.
4
Dear Mr. Kristof,
Thank you for your thoughtful piece. I agree with all but as a pediatrician will just say we are in a terrible flu season for kids with a high number of pediatric deaths( 136 ) last I checked the MMWR. We also are seeing a high volumes of other circulating respiratory viruses. Young children are at high risk from flu and at this point Covid -19 does not really seem to be very distinct from the flu ( look at the case in of the teen in Washington State) and the full picture of Covid-19 in kids has not quite developed. It does seem youth with underlying conditions are at risk.
Still not too late for that flu shot. I suspect things will be hoppin' in pediatric practices for many weeks to come...Thanks for all you do your advocacy really is important for youth.
4
Citizens rely on the media to provide us with information that we use to protect ourselves in dire situations such as this. What with all the cancelling of large events, travel, etc., and considering how much media outlets depend on advertising to remain in operation, I wonder what happens when these entities have no events to advertise, and therefore no reason to spend advertising dollars.
Will this virus disrupt capitalism and perhaps open our eyes to a socialist model we can 'live' with?
1
This is correct. The issue is that healthy people will be ok, but if they travel they will infect unhealthy people who will require scarce healthcare resources. 330mm people x 10% infection rate x 15% with complications = 5mm people who need special care vs 100k ventilators and 120k spare beds.
The longer we wait, the higher the fatality rate as sick people who would normally get healthcare won't as there will be a shortage. That's why Italy, Wuhan and Iran have 5% fatality rates, vs South Korea, rest of China, Singapore and Taiwan have 1% fatality rates and lower infection rates (as they reacted quickly).
Stop traveling and avoid unnecessary contact with people. Working and school from home doesn't mean playdates and traveling and going to the gym.
1
Here's my motto: think radically but act moderately. By radical I mean consider all the possibilities, even those that might seem beyond the pale.
We are now faced with a radical situation in which, by reliable but variable estimates of the lethality rate, hundreds of thousands around our nation might die. Yes, it is that serious. So, even radical solutions need to be considered.
The nation's governors could take the lead in calling for a two week general shutdown. Most stores would close, most work would cease, people would be encouraged, but not "ordered", to stay in their houses. Only emergency airline flights, only emergency bus and train service. Essential places, like gasoline stations and grocery stores would stay open as much as possible. Police, fire and military would remain in service, with protections.
It is possible that without drastic action we have already passed the point of no return, the point where a complete breakout to the entire population is likely. If the lethality rate is taken at the low end of 1/2 of 1% and 40% of the population gets infected, deaths could go to 600,000 or more.
We don't have the medical facilities to care for the numbers who would be infected and need life support to survive. Even picking up the dead would be a problem.
This step cannot come from the Trump administration that is in denial. Governors, mayors and experts need to step in and make recommendations.
6
Excellent ideas. Expanding Medicaid could morph into a national health insurance program. At the least we could have a Medicaid backstop for everyone who works for a living. Who knows, the Trump Recession could prove short lived, or it could progress to a Trump Depression. The poor already have a single payer option. It would be nice if the rest of us had that too.
4
Thank you Mr. Kristof for presenting a practical approach to managing this crisis. Tangible solutions that can provide almost instant and lifesaving results.
4
I just wish that Trump and Pence would remove themselves from office immediately, so that implementation of Mr. Kristof's sensible efforts to slow the spread and blunt the impacts of this virus could be implemented with speed and precision. Otherwise, we are all going to suffer, either through illness, loss of our life, loss of our livelihood, or all three combined.
3
Great column!
The last item on the list, is one of the most important.
If, as a society we could implement all of these steps with a sense of urgency, we would do very well and limit the damage. Unfortunately, it appears that our government will persist in its dysfunction. In my opinion, Mitch McConnell is the biggest problem.
3
@David_60
No, Mitch McConnell isn't the biggest problem in dealing with this issue. The biggest problem is the American cultural attitude "I've got mine, and if you don't have yours, then screw you." The result of this is that millions of families immediately become vulnerable to severe economic hardship if they do not have the option or working remotely, or if they do not have internet access, or sufficient savings if their place of business closes or if they do not have medical insurance.
Trump is struggling, and surrounded by sycophants with little real-life experience. Unaccustomed to problems not solved by his personal (unearned) wealth, he needs all the good advise he can handle now. Thank you, Nicholas, for your commonsense effort for everyone.
3
My only argument is that retired doctors and nurses are of an age that is in the higher risk for serious illness category. Is it fair to ask them to increase their risk by directly exposing them to the virus through care of very ill patients? As a still working at 58 RN, I think not. Let's quickly train up the young nursing and medical students to be able to practice, albeit at a stepped down level, under the supervision of licensed practitioners with proven protocols and standing orders in place. A steady supply of hands on deck are what we're going to need and they have the energy, and are at a low risk for illness.
5
Thanks for this sage compilation of best practices, Nick! I'm hoping our country can summon the greatness necessary to lead on this.
2
The government should fund any and all measures you dictate. There's no reason for the status quo to change for an emergency as that's an overreaction. Paying people for lost work due to an emergency shutdown is certainly reasonable, as is getting out the way of free markets to produce test kits, masks and sanitizers.
1
Seems to me Trump did the right thing early by severely curtailing travel from China and now shutting down travel from other places not containing the virus. Evidence; U.S. seems to have far less cases at this point than Italy, SK, or Iran. but not definitive proof.
Fauchi stated that the U.S. would soon produce 4 million test kits per day....I think that is now underway. Widespread testing will only reveal more community spread, but most of us already suspected that...from the nature of the virus itself.
It is literally useless to endlessly bellyache about Trump in all this. I think he had Dr. Fauchi advising him all along and if Mr. wonderful, Fauchi is not good enough for you then so be it. Sick of hearing endless Trump bashing here. Useless and incorrect.
The virus is neutral...its going to be hard to stop it no matter what anyone says.
@KB
You have to wonder if the United States would have fewer cases of coronavirus if they had barred all entry into the country from China and Japan, that includes U.S. citizens as soon as the disease become widespread in those countries.
This is a national security issue and should be treated as such.
And we all know how well Trump listens to advice he doesn’t want to hear.
I am wondering how people can stay home from work, who have no savings to support themselves, or how schools can close whith nobody able to watch the children at home? The glaring lack of sick pay in this country will turn into an acute crisis for many.
4
Coherent thoughts. Please do #5 before #10...I’d gladly come out of retirement at age 66, but putting the “elderly” in the line of fire without proper protection could only increase the spread and death rate.
6
Kaiser here in WA state is doing a good job of offering phone or online appointments to keep sick people from congregating. My entire family is sick with something that isn't quite like a cold, or quite like the flu, and which is extremely tenacious. I called in while running a fever of 102 and hacking all sorts of nastiness out of my whistling, crackling chest, and was told to come in if I started coughing up a bloody froth. Good advice, since I definitely wasn't at death's door. But it occurred to me how handy if would be to have a widely available antibody test. Then my family would know if we were free and clear to go out and about again, or if we needed to brace ourselves for something even more horrible than this last.
3
Why is this an opinion piece? This is sound advice from verifiable experts in the field. This is not an opinion, they are reported recommendations. Trump's response is an opinion, and a bad one at that.
6
I like your list, Mr. Kristof. These kinds of steps might actually be in place had Trump not fired Obama’s “Ebola Czar”. We don’t just need to test the sick; we need surveillance tests as well.
Am also enjoying a great deal your responses here!
5
@ZoProf The fraud "president's" inability to operate an umbrella should have been a clue.
If it doesn't affect the stock market or his reelection campaign, Trump doesn't care.
5
Reuse of personal masks for months by individuals could help.
1
Wait, a tax cut won't solve this problem?
2
This president is incapable of a responsible response. Can congress issue the equivalent of an executive order to put your measures in place? To those measures, I would add paid sick leave for employees of small businesses. But there's another problem: How can low-wage earners in vital public service jobs, such as cashiers in grocery stores, stay home if there's no one to sub for them?
3
Might want to rethink step #5 of bringing back retired doctors and nurses as we are in the highest risk group for mortality and morbidity,
My retired physician husband has been working urgent care and I just gave him an ultimatum—quit working or i am going to live elsewhere. I am on immunosuppressive drugs and if he brings this thing home I think it will kill me. I retired 6 months ago as a hospital RN, I would not want to be in a hospital now.
Remember thanks to Trumps total incompetence health care providers are flying blind without ample testing. It’s really asking a lot for us retirees to give our lives because of Trumps total mismanagement.
4
@Shappy0
I had the same reply. I'm a 58 year old RN, still working, generally very healthy with a good immune system, but this winter have had lung damage due to ozone cleaner for my CPAP machine (can't prove but timing is too coincidental), and am very worried about exposure at work.
I hope your husband does the right thing and stays home and you both remain well. Best of luck!
1
This is when GOP chickens come home to roost.
Every Republican - save the never-Trumpers - now owns this lock, stock, and barrel.
Not merely ignoring Trump's narcissism, cruelty and lies, the GOP doubled down on them; the rolling disaster that now threatens us all, from health crisis to collapsing economy would have been mitigated and moderated by a functioning, responsible government (anathema to the GOP, who've consistently called for drowning it in the bathtub).
The GOP bought it, they own it - now let's kick them to the curb and start again with actual governance.
It's past time to shut down the Trump cult which is today's Republican party. Vote the bums out.
5
Yes to all the above. Look no more than the Republican push to suspend payroll taxes, supposedly to help lower income workers with "tax relief." We all know their real purpose is to starve the Social Security Trust Fund. All part of their long game to end SS.
1
All good ideas. Donald will reject about half of them.
He's in denial, shaking hands with people who are tempting the gods.
And what if he gets sick? Can we believe White House media statements?
3
As always Nicholas the voice of reason! Thank you for your suggestions....a high fan
1
Good Ideas Nicky. I'll Add One. A National Best Practices Site. A website where professionals, agencies, and people can post up for public display things that work and work good. Simple things. Doable things. Like have a weekly family meeting to see how we can help each other.
2
@concord63
Actually the NHS should be doing television commercials and Internet ads about best practices to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
I was hoping my wife and I would live long enough to see Mr Trump in an orange jumpsuit.
Now with this new Trump Flu going around it doesn't look like we will outlast him.
1
@Hank
Since he just rubbed elbows, and probably shook hands, with bigwigs from Brazil who are now testing positive, you might instead see him lying in state in a wooden box. Would that be acceptable?
Tongue in cheek; I don't wish anyone ill, but why do these old white men in suits think they're invincible???? They're behaving like adolescents.
Plenty of over 65 lawmakers in DC still shaking hands and lunching together.
@Hank Yes, you will! Stay safe!
1
The most reassuring words Trump could have spoken to Americans last evening would have been, "I resign."
4
It’s too late. The government should have instituted quarantines as China did, and 48 days ago. But instead, the CDC leadership, under Trump’s direction, failed to do anything but sustain a cover-up of what was really happening.
That might just be funny to Republicans when it’s their administration supporting using the Presidency and American tax dollars to try to buy an election with Ukrainian money in a protection racket that breaks the law, but in this case, the results will be lethal for tens of thousands in this country who didn’t have to die.
The CDC has failed in its mission, repeatedly.
Add Messonier, Redfield and Fauci to the list of criminals running this country for their own personal gain.
#5, repurpose cardiologists and pediatricians? Firstly, reports are out that the deaths in Covid are due to fulminant myocarditis, so the cardiologists are already involved, thanks. Secondly, pediatricians have to care for the young, so you’re just going to abandon young people? How about asking all those newly minted NPs who want to be doctors so badly after their online training courses to step up? Oh that’s right, bc they aren’t as good as doctors after all, and when it matters everyone wants the real deal actual doctor even if it’s the wrong specialty.
7
I am thinking of Obama’s preemptive and informed response to Ebola. We need leadership like that.
1
On 10/03, Professor Gilbert Deray, head of the Nephrology department at the Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital in Paris, wrote:
“For 30 years, from the observatory of my hospital, I have lived through many health crises: HIV, SARS, MERS, the resurgence of tuberculosis, multi-resistant bacteria. We have managed them calmly and very effectively.
None of them gave rise to anything like the current panic.
I have never experienced such a degree of concern for one infectious disease, or indeed for any other disease.
And yet, I am not worried about the medical consequences of the coronavirus. There is nothing in the current figures on mortality and the spread of the virus that justifies the global health and especially economic panic. [...]
The near future will tell if I was wrong.
However:
- I am concerned [...] [...] [...] that our health care system, already in great difficulty, will soon be overwhelmed by an influx of sick people at the slightest sign of influenza-like illness, which will mean that we will not be able to deal with all the other illnesses. A myocardial infarction or appendicitis are always emergencies. A virus, rarely.
The media coverage on the coronavirus is highly anxiogenic and it contributes to everyone's panic. [...]”
Source: https://www.facebook.com/professeurgilbertderay/posts/871169953303946
2
1) private rapid tests were not legal in the USA until March 1 - government regulation limited who could make them - but now things should move faster.
2) without martial law - there is no legal basis to force businesses to close - Law and rights of others don't disappear because you are scared.
3) This requires Congress gets their act together and pass some laws - mostly tort reform - to allow to happen.
4) Respirators take time to make, and see above, there are issues with making them quickly. Hospitals are not likely to be overwhelmed where they don't exist. Too many rural areas have nothing near by.
5) 13th amendment makes this illegal. And who is paying for them. I take it you wand to waive certifications? Do you need a doctor to care for patients - why not rapid training of care workers - people young an unlikely to succomb. Why send retired health workers into the furnace where they are mostl likely to die.
7) What makes National Guard members immune?
8) no martial law - so no snapping fingers and making paperwork go away.
9) who pays? and how much?
and so forth. We have a system that gives much governance to the states - we need to live what has been wrought.
Yes it appears bad, but most people under 60 years old or without immune issues are going to experience little problem. 5000 times more people have died from the flu this season - how many of you didn't get a flu shot.
And lets say we get a vacine - how are we going to get people to use it.
@Paul
By your math, 20 million people have died of flu this year. That simply isn't true. You got way too many zeroes in there.
1
Thank you for this. Could you run for president, please?
1
I'm curious. What is Ezekiel J. “pneumonia may well be called the friend of the aged" Emanuel's take on the corona virus?
Trump spins the problem onto Europe now. More problematic, his base believes him.
Counter the spin fast, so that everyone can see where the blame lies: the bungler-in-chief.
"It's nothing. The flu kills more. Cars kill more. It will just fade away. My intuition tells me so." etc.
The blood is on your hands Trump. The buck stops here.
Oh, and by the way, your stock market is closing fast on where 'you' started. Flubbed up again, hey Donald.
2
This piece is full of deeply alarmist and what seems to be hyperbolic projecttions that don't reflect any of the current numbers on Corona. Not to say this isn't a threat to be taken seriously, but fear mongering (1 million deaths???) is not helpful or responsible.
1
This is the speech filled with real solutions to the coronavirus pandemic that jerk occupying Oval Office should have given. Trump said nothing about making the health care infrastructure work to save Americans from suffering and needless dying, or for bolstering finances for people who have lost their means of earning money, paying bills, caring for children. His solution, to unilaterally ban travel from Europe (not UK) is absurd. Still no idea how many Americans harbor the infection. He used words like “unprecedented” when this is hardly unprecedented (Spanish flu, Swine flu, Ebola, and months of seeing what happened in China, South Korea, Italy). He kept saying that America will get by because we are the strongest, smartest, best nation that ever existed. Trump’s solution is medieval: pull up the drawbridge, build a wall against foreign invasion. Balderdash. And by the way, YOU DIDN’T BUILD THAT: the strong economy was bequeathed by Obama and other predecessors that you are frittering away with $1 trillion budget deficits despite (as you claim) a historic economy. And what does strong military have to do with coronavirus pandemic? The amount of back-slapping Trump does to himself (“unprecedented steps” which are hardly unprecedented or even dramatic), and his sychophants, even the “experts” have had to lather is disgusting. As for abandoning the partisanship, he means "adore me, go along with whatever I say." Immediately after, he attacked Nancy Pelosi and Democrats.
1
Shouldn't we also be preparing to reopen closed hospitals and nursing homes to handle the sudden load? And figuring out how and where to house the homeless, especially when they get sick? (There are a lot of closed schools and empty shopping malls.) And releasing as many prisoners as possible, as was done in Iran? And closing the squalid border camps and instead releasing asylum seekers into the general population as was done before?
And for God's sake, who is manufacturing respirators, and are they working 3 shifts 7 days a week? Could they use subsidies?
PERHAPS A STUPID QUESTION
If the entire globe went into lockdown for 14 days (add a few for margin of error) would that effectively eliminate the pandemic?
If it would work, would two weeks of global quarantine be worth it when measured against all the other scenarios?
It would essentially be global martial law.
One practical critique: How could it be verified?
One happy byproduct: It would be the only time in human history that every nation on the globe acted in unison.
One frightening byproduct: It would establish a dangerous precedent for even greater authoritarian dictatorships than the globe currently has.
Nothing of this works if we don't do massive testing to nab the virus early. And we already missed the boat by several months through denial, blaming others and totally disrespecting the human being.
1
It appears that our inability to manufacture new test kits (after the original CDC ones failed, was delayed by bureaucratic red tape. This is the kind of problem a unitary executive is supposed to solve in times like this. Our president had the power to make things happen, but worried more about appearances than helpful action. Blaming China or Europe doesn't solve anything. However, since he is the president, he can be sure that if it comes to rationing respirators, he can step to the front of the line.
1
All great ideas Mr Kristoff and an example of common sense best practices being extolled by experts here and abroad who have had experience with plaque level biological disasters in the past, or have learned them through recent experience.
Our President Trump, however, instead of being willing to take common sense steps and perhaps even immediately convene an all-hands-on-deck type emergency meeting of leaders of Congress ,public health care, disaster relief and finance continues to demonstrate that he would rather try to "Talk down" the impact of the virus, on Twitter and Television.
It seems in fact, the only advice our C in C is willing to take continues to be primarily coming from those masterminds at Fox News. And Hannity et al continue to push the theory that it's largely the fault of the 'Deep State' and the Europeans that the virus is even here on our shores; and that of course the best way to deal with containment of the virus and it's economic and social fallout still, somehow, involves the "Free Market". So Yes, Rome is burning, but thankfully our Nero still has Fox News to help him read the entrails, to tell him just what to do.
1
I have an idea: Take these common sense ideas, out the in a folder the he won't read ( Donnie Don't Read ), and label it TAX CUTS.
That just might work.
5
Step 13: Don't forget the homeless. Public health planners should develop a US-wide strategy for limiting transmission among the sizable homeless population. Most probably have underlying conditions. I haven't heard a word about citizens who have no place to quarantine.
6
The actions taken last night, to ban travel from Europe, is another sign of the chaotic ways of our president and his administration. There seems to have been little attention paid to how the risk is being assessed across Europe and more attention on how the public perceives a message of a total ban. Again, he (Trump) missed the bus. He supposedly overreacted to compensate for his underwhelming response to the situation until about yesterday morning when his Fox News cronies and radio shock jocks were busy labeling the virus pandemic as a hoax designed to bring down the president.
With respect to Europe : A total ban creates panic while a targeted ban would have allowed aim at specific attack points.
In the coming days - people will not only avoid air travel but start to avoid any kind of travel.
As for the US - remain calm and use sensible judgment. Clean your hands regularly, avoid shaking hands, eating in crowded restaurants or uncooked foods such as salads and work remote to the extent possible. The virus attack has a very specific signature to it. Pay attention to it and avoid getting in the line of fire. This virus attack is no more dangerous than a bad cold. However, unlike the cold, there is no medication to fight it and therein lies the problem.
Help flatten the curve of affected people and the virus will extinguish itself.
3
@Plato
Actually I have to disagree with you on this issue. The European Union allows for what are essentially open borders to facilitate the movement of people and trade between member countries. There is the risk of for example, a person from France traveling to Italy, contracting the virus, and then traveling to the United States. If you only ban travel from Italy, then this person easily gets into the United States.
The reality is the more you "lock down" the United States in terms of who is allowed into the country, the safer the country is. Chances are if we had not allowed anybody that had traveled to China or Japan, including U.S. citizens into the country starting in February the situation would be much better in the United States than it is now.
I was just looking at a chart that shows the virus mutations.
Like many of those "small invisible beasties" it is quite rapid.
With a vaccine 18 months away, and one that may only be partly effective by then, due to the ability of the virus to change, we need to think a bit more about how we are going to live with it.
Yes, we need to slow the spread so that hospitals will not be overwhelmed and so that high risk populations will be better protected until therapeutics and vaccines can be developed, but we also need to come to terms at some point that we will likely all be exposed- eventually.
Thus we will also be needing an antibody test to help us determine how many people have already been exposed but have then recovered and have therefore built up an immunity similar to what one would see from having been vaccinated. That will give us a better idea as to when the rate of new cases might slow.
Having some sense of this will calm the anxiety of people. I read that new infection rates in some areas hard hit had begun to decline. It would be good to know how much of that was due to a large section of the population having already been infected and then recovering, thus partially immunizing a percentage of the population.
1
From your words to the government's ears, Nicholas. This is so sensible. Thank you.
6
Exceptional times needs exceptional moves. If China can do it and Italian government followed, many other countries no doubt will follow the footsteps, too. Why can't our government take drastic if not draconian measures to curb the Covid-19? Don't test and don't hear action will not deter the spreading of Covid-19.
At least our high ranking health officials should have tele-conference with Chinese CDC officials. China has accumulated knowledge and expertise by sacrificing its own comfort and short term economic slow downs. WHO has constantly conversation with Chinese CDC. Italian & other government officials did that too. We should take advantages of their at our disposal.
By the end of the day, it is our most vulnerable people are senior with previous existing conditions at risk. Unless we don't care about them, then forget everything I said. Go business as usual.
1
I agree in principle with sick leave for all, but I am curious what employers would be obligated. Big companies and organizations, sure. But what about very small businesses, non-profits including religious institutions, and individuals who employ a caregiver?
I am looking for an organization in my area that will help nannies, store clerks, janitors, etc with expenses if they are unable to work. I am also going to donate to our local food bank.
2
Recall medical professionals from vacation? I’m on board with everything else in this article, Mr. Kristof, but on what planet is it reasonable to call for paid sick leave with one breath and to deny the most critical class of workers the R&R they need to prevent burnout with the next?
8
I don't expect much from the Trump administration. It's up to the states and cities to deal with this. In Washington State we are moving ahead with our own response. I pity those from Red states.
8
I actually don’t
1
Thank you, as always, Mr. Kristoff, for such a responsible column. One real concern as public schools close is how will the children and teenagers who depend on school lunches as their main meal get fed? I don't have the answer, unfortunately, but it should be a priority to solve.
4
These are great ideas to begin to bring science into the discussion and change the conversation from 'hoax', 'conspiracy', and 'just like the flu' to active participation in actions that can prevent the disease from spreading.
These actions can save millions from contracting the disease:
1. Ban President Trump from Twitter for the next ninety days.
2. Make the head of the CDC the only spokesperson to talk about what is scientifically happening in the USA.
3. Convene a teleconference with Chinese, South Korean, German, French, Italian and American immunology experts. Allow these people to determine the best methods for managing a disease that is sweeping the earth.
4. Permit states to produce hand sanitizers, hand wipes, toilet paper, beds, and surgical masks and gloves.
5. Empower state officials to secure empty warehouses to transform into hospital bed space and quarantine areas.
6. Create a single source, CDC science operated, daily message that gives factual information to people through multiple means: email, facebook, television, print and video media. Disavow any other source of information that is not credited to the CDC.
It is a travesty that a country as wealthy and 'advanced' as the United States - has a leader stuck in the 15th century using arcane barriers to stop a viral disease.
9
Mr. Kristof, President Trump is not a health official.
That will make me smile all day.
2
Great article--thank you! I'm glad you mentioned that we need to develop a test for determining who has already had Covid-19 and developed immunity. This is something I've been curious about. With so little testing done, and given the amount of time that's passed and the fact that Covid-19 can cause milder symptoms in healthy people, there should be some people out there now who have already recovered.
4
Good points, but prevention counts a lot more. Do what Italy has done, but proactively, block the areas that are much more affected. Non-essential workers should be going home. This is what works to avoid transmission. You can bring all the retired health care professionals, but they won't be enough to help with the number of cases. We all have computers and can work out of our homes. This is an emergency where people need to stay away from each other to avoid contagion. Let's pretend it is August, and people go away for a few weeks.
As for essential employees like health care workers, the US should gear up to produce masks, body suits, gloves and potent sanitizers to protect them.
For essential workers (who are potentially infected, and have not been tested) government should gear up to produce the test kits ASAP. If any essential worker has any cold or flu symptoms, the person needs to stay home and rest. Government should provide sick-pay, so they don't suffer loss or income or employment.
Once there is a lock-down, the police, national guard and military can be used to help distribute food and other essentials should it become necessary.
We need to be proactive. Lets not wait for disaster and see how we can fix it after it is broken.
@Hoping For Better "block the areas that are much more affected." We cannot establish where those areas are without "surveillance testing", which means testing those who do not exhibit symptoms. Which, obviously, means we need those millions of test kits (not to mention lab capacity!) that the vice president promised.
2
This is useful article Mr. Kristoff. As well as scaling up the number of medical professionals, we need an emergency expansion of Medicare to cover everyone for the duration of this crisis. If your "candidate for change" Mr Biden isn't calling for this TODAY, please ask him why not.
4
It was disappointing that Trump talked about eliminating co-pays for testing but said nothing about helping the uninsured, of whom there are about 27 million in the US. I don't see journalists asking him about it either -- or asking anyone. Perhaps it's because they all have good health insurance and it never crosses their minds -- I'm glad this column kept it mind -- but that's hardly comforting the afflicted.
10
To the point regarding calling in retired medical personnel and allowing military medical personnel to work in the civilian system; how about DVMs? Veterinary Doctors would be a wonderful asset upon which we should capitalize.
The only thing Trump and cabal had on their minds throughout late 2019, January and February has been finagling the process of impeachment, where to direct their vindictiveness, his scheduled rallies before Democratic primaries and polls. They assume they have genetic superiority that will bring them immunity to the virus like it did impeachment. Stating the economy was great, nothing to worry about, because their focus is so narrow and are unable to grasp all things are related. Yes Nero fiddled as Rome burned and Trump and Republicans trashed the Constitution and ignored what was an obvious pandemic in the making while leaving Americans vulnerable by their inability to lead for three and half years.
6
A great article and well-timed. Here in the Seattle area there are a lot of other measures being taken by individuals, small businesses, nonprofits, and county and city governments that aren't being reported except locally. The federal government has a role to play, and Trump has bungled it, but the people doing the day-to-day work (and suffering the consequences) are those of us closest to the soil. That's one reason I'm so happy with our state's response and the support we are getting from King County and the City of Seattle.
2
I agree completely. Call your representatives and demand that these actions take place. This virus may be the one thing that gets the GOP to listen to reason instead of Trump. They will have to answer to their constituents in November if they do not press for action now. This is just the beginning of a bad time here if Congress does not act aggressively now.
6
I have a suggestion for no. 13.
13. Make medical care free for all so people get tested and treated properly.
11
Sanders is right. And the majority of the American people know we need this basic cornerstone of civilization, universal healthcare.
3
In tonight's speech, President Trump went further and followed Nicholas Kristof's advice to conduct such crises with a "dictatorial approach to public health."
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/02/opinion/lock-em-up.html
Number 12 ain't happening - way too liberal
Step one: Quit being hysterical.
Step two: Wash your hands.
Step three: Target the tiny at-risk populations only, not the entire world.
This is ridiculous.
1
The core duty of any government is to keep its citizens safe. As the POTUS has declared COVID-19 is a Democrat-instigated hoax, how are Americans going to survive?
Wonder how Tom Hanks and his wife, both reported as having being diagnosed with COVID-19, feel about this 'hoax' call?... Life is clearly not always a box of chocolates.
Time to get real America.
Time to really look at what this government stands for, and who it is actually protecting.
1
I am looking at the mess at Wells Fargo. Boeing. J & J. Problems of their own making, buried for years in the chase for money to line the pockets of the rich. Now their stock prices have plunged due to mismanagement and lack of trust.
GOP voters voted for Trump to run the country just like a business. GOP Promises made, GOP promises kept.
Unlike the Democrats.
2
People need to stop taking as if Donald Trump is capable of rising to any moment, other than an opportunity to bilk and insult people. He isn't. Donald Trump is incompetent, unfit to be US President, and worse, he is not emotionally or intellectually fit to be able to even adequately handle most normal things, nevermind crises. Forget about Trump. Let him blather on as background noise, and listen to your state leaders and medical professionals.
15
All of your comments make sense, Nick, but one wonders whether the guy sitting behind the Resolute desk has any idea what you are talking about.
He thinks it is all a hoax.
As usual, he read his teleprompter speech badly (... "counting and continuing" ...) and then had to correct what was actually recited, because it was not what was intended.
The Cult of Trump is still pushing the canard that a dangerous virus is just an attempt by their political opponents to tarnish the reputation of Trump. Maybe they will get the message when people who are near and dear to them get sick and die.
7
Please. Stop with the 12 things we need to do. Funny how the opinion writers are always experts after the fact.
1
@Mike Cos But we are NOT "after the fact", are we?
We have yet to see the breadth of infection in this country, and we cannot even provide the essential test kits to tell us who is, or is not infected.
NOW is the time for ACTION, and that means a clear plan, and organization to implement that plan. We are seeing NEITHER from the place most Americans used to assume would be the source for both: OUR WH.
The fact that this advice appears in the New York Times will be reason enough for Trump to ignore it. Sad but true. That’s our reality.
3
I was hoping Trump would announce that the passengers marooned on cruise ships would be resettled in empty rooms at Trump hotels and golf courses, where dining facilities, bathrooms big-screen TVs and room service would be available free of charge.
But then I recalled that those rooms were reserved a long time ago by Melania and Ivanka for children separated from their mothers and still living in migrant camps along our Southern Border.
Now I am thinking that both groups could comfortably be settled at Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago.
9
there is a virus
with a crown
and a pretender to the throne
can we remember truth
in a time and land of lies?
The PCR test is not rocket science.... Talk to any scientist working in a university to pharma lab and they can tell you that for $20 they can run many tests and fast.... The current "stable geniuses" who are destroying the government because of over-regulation stopped thousands of people from being tested because of their stupidity and regulations that gives them control over the narrative instead of saving lives. They should be locked up!
5
Have I missed something? I have not heard your supreme leader send condolences to family members of loved ones who have died from Covid19. If he hasn’t, this is shameful. Where are the “thoughts and prayers” when you need it. His address to the nation tonight would have been an opportune time to try to show some empathy. Maybe he doesn’t want to admit people have died from Covid19.
4
@Liz McD No heart, no sympathy.
13. Invent a magic wand to make all these things happen
1
This day always was coming. When you vote try to remember that picking the least qualified person running, and this case in all of America, is a very bad idea - even if you are “triggering the libs.”
8
13. Trump needs to be removed from office.
5
Remove and Replace ALL Republicans to save our lives. Do it now. More hand washing is never going to be enough
8
Trump will use this virus as an excuse to Dump Pence. “He performed really really badly.” He replace him with a woman. His “Hail Mary” pass.
4
Other pundits have said as much and figure Nicki Haley for the spot.
2
It struck me as sad commentary that a Times columnist was the one who put together this list. A list of this sort should have been drawn up long ago and simply pulled out as soon as it became apparent that it might be needed.
5
Wish you were president, Nick.
2
In summary, a good list in this article. Apparently, all Trump knows how to do is blame others and then close borders. This is his favorite card to try to get on Fox news.
6
even if we have 2000 infected in USA today, and it doubles every week, we WILL NOT have "millions of Americans infected by late April"!... do the math =64,000
@David
That's a geometric expansion. What's more likely is exponential expansion - way more than 64k.
2
It’s said to to double every six days = over 2 million in 60 days.
2000 today
4000
8000
16000
32000
64000 = 30 days
128000
256000
512000
1,024,000
2,048,000 = 60 days
As you suggest — do the math
The Democrats needs to coalese around Biden and pretend that he is the President. It will help him seem presidental and drive Trump nuts. Attacking Biden will hurt him when he has to deal with Congress. It is a win either way. It also prepares Biden to hit the ground running before he is sworn in. The Dems need to speak with one voice and oppose Trump and his incompetence.
6
Donald Trump was a TV host for a dozen years and still has trouble reading a script.
Weird
6
Why are there no travel bans for people coming from S Korea, one of the hardest hit areas?
3
Thank you, Mr. Kristof. You are the NYT's premier voice of reason.
2
The USA needs to be on high alert for a “Reichstag Fire” moment with Trump and our elections. Yes, you read that right...I fear that Donald Trump could cancel the November 2020 elections “for the good of the people.”
You think I’m being hyperbolic?
60 days ago, how many of us thought schools and colleges would close nationwide and flying between the USA and Europe would be stopped.
Never underestimate Trump’s penchant for lawlessness.
8
@Frank One good measure of prevention would be for all states to increase their "vote by mail" capacity.
2
The Welcome Wagon
We’re all shut-ins now, your age makes no diff,
Isolate pronto before you’re a stiff -
Viral infection, I’ll gobble my Bayer
Clear out my bag pipes and not have a care
‘Bout folks faring well, or those faring ill
Long as I get my prescription to fill -
Feeling lowly just now ‘cause of my stocks
Bumpin’ the bottom, a tale of hard knocks;
Worst case – whatever – you could do worse -
Wait for doorbell and welcome the hearse.
Yes !!!!to add to comments cross states in America.
Emergency management starts and ends in counties and local communities. Always has traditionally ,and with Civil Defense activated protocols.
Governors are doing a great job despite partisan politics which currently needs to chill out and focus on your immediate environment at home.
Shelter in place and when out and about if necessary ,use PPE and aseptic technique and bring gloves , mask and wipes too ,in a backpack now. !!!!!
We have a new normal globally.
I blame Putin !!!!!instructing Trump in Oligarghy 101 ,and Steve Miller using his “ natural law rift “ to propagate misinformation .
Great way for population control. Isn’t it ??
At my age with comorbidities it might be happy trails because of Floridian “ hoaxers” putting northern snowbirds at risk daily.
We are leaving for Ct. over the weekend. Shelves are not empty here yet cuz they r “trumpers. “Think of the interstate rest stops and hotel chains. If “trumpworld “continues to evade responsibility our demise is imminent in Emergency Management Triage.
The sickest and oldest and frailest are last to see for intervention and respirator assistance. The patients least ill and most likely to survive receive treatment first.
This is correct emerg. Management and based on the combat model of military since the Civil war at least.
So do not get on Italy’s case. They are totally correct in restricting intervention in a pandemic.
Shocking ,but ask a real doctor.
2
NOTHING is so bad, that HE can’t make it worse. Go ahead, name something. I challenge you all.
9
Keep President Trump away from microphones and the media. All of his public statements about the Covid 19 pandemic have been catastrophic !
5
Actually, they could and should have acted at least a month ago. Dr. Fauci, Dr. Messonier and Ron Klain knew it; and they said as much at the Aspen Institute on February 11.
But Fearless Leader didn’t hear. He was listening to the ignorant yammering of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity - a pair of bloviating windbag college dropouts. It’s ‘a Deep State hoax.’ It’s ‘just the common cold.’ The physicians, epidemiologists and public health experts who actually know which end is up could not get a word in edgewise.
And nothing happens unless Fearless Leader says so.
People will die because of that. Plain and simple. No, he didn’t shoot someone in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue. This is far, far worse.
10
Not in a million years would Republicans do even one of these things. We will lose minimum 500k people in the next year and the blood will be on their anti science hands
3
Ok wake up people do you really want this president for another term?
3
"12 Steps to Tackle The Coronavirus "
I'd like to suggest Step 13 :
13. Find some way to make available the recommended hand sanitizer , hand sanitizing wipes, and the C.D.C. recommended cleaning products to the American public, so that Americans can protect ourselves from contracting and spreading coronavirus,
Americans can not comply with C.D.C . guidelines, and can not protect ourselves, and others, and do our part to contribute to the attempt at containment of coronavirus if we can not
access the products that the C.D.C., W.H.O, pandemic experts, government recommend that we use.
I have reached out to my Representatives and Senators, to the Governor, and have called the recently established Nassau Country and New York State Coronavirus hotlines, and have come up empty.
The Nassau County and New York Your State coronavirus hotline people had no suggestions for me. They reported that they have heard from many who can not obtain hand sanitizer, and other recommended products, including from health providers who can not obtain hand sanitizer.
Governor Cuomo has decided to take matters into his own hands, and plans to have prisoners made hand sanitizer. I'm not comfortable with the idea of prison inmates making hand sanitizer. while at least Cuomo recognizes the urgent need, and is trying to find a way to fill this urgent need.
What is the Federal Government going to do to enable Americans to follow it's own recommendations ?
1
It's a smart way for a columnist to talk to readers through the comments board, I see it is a very good way to get connected, it's not enough enough to interact with people in your cubicle.
Thank you Nicholas Kristof for finding time and do it.
Great example of journalism at work!
8
Really great. Hard to still process this but we are crying out for the details and truth about our predicament and desire good plans so this is so helpful.
You know, I am sure, that the discussions we are having in our homes are fraught at times because one is scared at the moment while the other may be in a different place, wanting to put off dealing with financial realities vs life and possible death decisions. So the last two or three days have been extremely stressful. Also sleepless nights seeking information.
And even though it is scary to read and contemplate truth, I find it oddly calming. Someone actually put it all together with real proposals that could help save lives. I trust you. Thanks!
1
Please, people, stop promulgating the notion that warmer weather will quell the epidemic of Covid-19. The first case known in this country started in sunny, warm, and very dry California! We cannot wait for nature to take its course amid a disastrous response from the administration. More tests are needed immediately, not weeks or months away. I fear our system is already over burdened with exploding numbers of infections reported every day. Governors must take the helm in each state in the absence of a national program of mitigation. Warmer weather is just another fig leaf covering the shame of this inept and may I say criminal administration.
2
I'm bothered that I've not heard the science/explanation as to why a basic surgical mask can help keep the virus/a sick person from spreading the virus to others, but that this same mask won't do the opposite (or prevent me, a healthy person, from catching the virus from a sick person). How is it that the same item can prevent something from getting out, but not in?
I now wear a mask because 1) I feel it certainly cannot hurt - and no, I'm not so naive as to think that means I don't have to employ all the other healthy hygiene habits... and 2) I fully understand that many people have been or are currently in our midst, who have the virus, but yet were or are asymptomatic. Heck, I could be one of those very people. So by my wearing a mask, I feel I'm also doing a service to others, in not spreading something that I myself may have, but not know yet...
@Lisa As I understand it, a disposable mask isn't effective because the virus has other entry points, especially the eyes. You could get the virus there via your hands, or if someone who is infected sneezes in your face, most likely the former.
Some feel that a mask may help remind you not to touch your face.
As to a disposable mask being effective in the case that you're the infected one, it does aid in keeping what what you cough or sneeze out from getting to those around you.
1
@Lisa In addition to your nose and mouth, the virus can enter the body through the eyes. So if you're also wearing some eye protection, you're better protected, not to mention gloves.
1
It's not "Trump and other health officials." That implies that Trump is a health official. Trump is no more a health official than I am the queen of England.
3
What other industry are we asking for employees to cancel their vacations? Really? I ask this because it so tones death. Most of the country likes to criticize the inadequacies of the US health system until we actually need them. We force them to work longer hours at reduced pay, to be pawns to the insurance companies and balance billing laws. And then when we're sick...we say we need you to do whatever is necessary including risking your life. As a 66-year-old physician and anesthesiologist on the front lines, I look at a country that is unwilling to fulfill their part of the social contract. Will they pay for my enforced quarantine when I get Covid-19 after intubating their grandmother. No! Will they pay for my deductible if I get sick while working. No Chance! Really how many NYT reporters are making any sort of sacrifice because of this. My guess is very few if any. Don't ask for what you yourself would not be willing to do.
123
@MBW Well, you're the doctor. A lawyer or a Merchant Marine seaman can't do health care like you.
As to the inadequate system we have, you should be able to see that many have limited or no access to health care resources.
Maybe it's time to retire. No one will be forcing you out of that. I'm serious.
10
@MBW
I would hope the OR sterile screen would prevent you from acquiring the Convid-19 virus as it should protect you from any other communicable disease. Your beef really is with the insurance companies and the Republican party in how this outbreak is being handled. Whose to say this is the only pandemic that this country will ever see?
6
@MBW
Hold up. There is a crisis and you're asking who is going to pay you if you have to work overtime or miss 2 weeks of work? You're complaining that you're being asked to postpone a vacation? A two-second Google search tells me that anesthesiologists in low-cost-of-living Utah average $366,600 in yearly salary. At 66, you've likely been in medicine a while, so you're likely making significantly more than that. Therefore, you can likely (easily!) afford to pay for your own "enforced" 14-day quarantine. And, back to logic a minute here: if you can afford a vacation, you can afford 14 days with no pay. And where would you vacation now, anyway? Over 110 countries have corona virus.
By contrast, the Utah minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which yields a $14,500 annual salary. Think of the hourly nurses' aids (with low or no benefits) who are cleaning up the infected fluids at your hospital. They are the ones who cannot afford a 14-day quarantine, going without pay. That's the social contract that is not being fulfilled here. Asking a little extra from doctors during a pandemic is akin to asking a little extra from firefighters during the California fires last year.
And if you're so concerned about your personal bottom line, consider this. I know people who are worried about losing their jobs and their businesses as a result of this pandemic, but your industry will have even more demand. So, stop and think before whining.
22
Another thing to think about: the young people who work as freelancers and are making college loan payments...Without freelance work, or any work at all, how can they pay their loans?
Would the government mitigate the debt so that young people affected by this crisis don't have a bad credit score for the rest of their lives?
3
Would it be so difficult for the president to have this kind of quality personnel in the white house?
38
@frank
Exactly. Believe me, I’m thankful every day for our great Governor, Jay Inslee.
2
With the current “president” very difficult.
1
Experts have been warning that it's key to flatten the peak of the epidemic, as we only have a limited capacity of hospital beds.
Italy's need for triage has clearly shown us this.
Yet many mass events like concerts, sports games, ... are just continuing to take place. Mayors should be stepping in, too.
Everything (lack of testing, lack of quarantines, ...) points to a huge upcoming peak.
It's going to get very ugly when patient triage is based on insurance.
2
In light of the growing possibility that Trump will be voted out in November, will the Republicans try to preempt the election by declaring a medical state of emergency that prevents us from voting?
4
This is what we should have heard from our President tonight instead of another travel ban and the downplaying of the seriousness of this virus. It just illustrates the Trump Administration incompetence.
5
How about putting the entire nation on quarantine for 3 weeks?
3
At the risk of being critical I find it difficult to understand how an “opinion columnist” can suddenly be an expert capable of taking on the POTUS whose resources are limitless when it comes to advice from all the experts. But then again, we’re talking about the venerable NYT, the obvious experts on everything with the perfect solution to any and every problem in the world.
3
Trump has just gone from calling Covid-19's perceived threat a Democrat hoax to a totally irrational decision to ban all travel from Europe (though not the UK) for 30 days, something that is sure to further panic the equity markets while doing nothing to protect US residents from a disease that is already here. We are being governed by a dangerous fool. The best thing that could happen to us is for Trump to catch the virus and have to step down.
3
Thanks for this! Nicholas Kristoff for President ;-) .... because you’re really smart, ethical and wonderfully kind. Three fundamental requirements that the current occupant of the WH lacks in his DNA.
4
Do you think there is a possibility that the whole government was a little distracted over the impeachment debacle? is it possible that frequently calling Trump authoritarian, fascist and likely to enforce martial law might make it a little bit hard for his administration to take drastic action? Take some ownership for your own actions as Trump haters for creating a no win environment for America.
1
Trump's speech last night in the Oval Office was so mechanical and rote and absolutely void of any emotion and not helpful. The man is a waste of time to listen to.
This government better get its act together NOW. This is not the time to fool around.
And why is the United Kingdom or England not included in the European travel ban?
Possibly the only good thing to come out of this crisis is Trump not being elected for sheer lack of competence.
4
Trump talked and talked and talked, but couldn't shame the virus away, couldn't motivate his base to harass the virus, couldn't break the virus' spine like he did to the Congress GOPs.
Elect a clown, expect a circus.
Elect a con, expect lies.
Elect an incompetent showman, expect empty talks.
Elections have consequences. In this case, unfortunately, the costs are people's lives.
7
Free “drive thru” testing with “10 min” results would be beautiful to screen large numbers of people and identify “silent spreaders”.
4
12 steps to tackle the coronavirus :
1 thru 12: remove trump
6
Donald Trump is supremely focused on how COVID -19 impacts his personal business economic profit and political reelection prospects.
Donald Trump doesn't accept nor believe in any science related to coronavirus.
Donald Trump is by nature and nurture incapable of comforting and reassuring the American people with humble humane empathy.
Donald Trump is ignorant, immature, immoral, intemperate and insecure.
Donald Trump's leading COVID-19 crisis managers Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar are both clearly incompetent inexperienced and weakly unable to give Trump any bad news that he doesn't want to hear.
Who knew?
Donald Trump didn't run a covert stealthy subtle campaign for President. Nor has Trump governed in a covert stealthy subtle manner.
If only we lived in a divided limited different power constitutional republic of united states where the people wielded the ultimate sovereign power over their elected and selected hired help?
3
The fact that Op-Ed columnists like Mr. Kristof are now acting as the de-facto head of strategic response of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to COVID-19 says something about the utter cluelessness of the Trump Administration. At worst case projected death rates, we're looking at 3 million dead in the United States.
With COVID-19, the artificial, mythological fiction of separate nations is fully exposed. We have once again become one world in our suffering. What good now, are all our bombs and missiles and guns? When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?
2
Saying the president and medical officials should act while there is time is sort of met with mixed feelings Nicholas.
Mixed because you have a point. The only trick is when contextualized, well, it’s like telling a firefighter who deliberately refused to tend to a fire; “Quick!!! There is still time!!!”
The fact is, and The NY Times needs to dig deeper into how the medical side sold themselves out to the president who knows absolutely nothing about medicine, except it’s spelt with an “M”.
I think it’s the person in charged of the CDC who made a ridiculous comment about how he was willing to declare an emergency earlier but the president didn’t support that.
Great. A medical individual looking for the president’s support on a medical decision.
With all due respect Nicholas, the CDC failed the test with flying colors, not because they didn’t know medicine, but because patients weren’t and still aren’t their priority relative to this virus.
And if we are going to hear; “But the president seems to be taking swift action starting today,” just go back to my parallel to the firefighter who refused to acknowledge the fire until a certain amount of burning had taken place.
I think the head of the CDC should resign.
2
Trump whole FAKE LIFE has been PR. He can't stop now. He's making things worse. More people will die. American's right to hear from doctors and scientists is now = "Classified Information".
For what purpose, to make Trump look good? And, as usual, the First Lady and First daughter - disappear in tough situations.
1
This article is beyond DISHONEST. Unprecedented action by a US president...early travel bans...offers to help in China...the list doesn't end. Does the left really think they can get away with this...emboldened by the Russia stories perhaps...but the timeline and action here is clear. Trump did act! The CDC has said the early China travel ban was the right thing to do. Quarantine was the correct thing to do. What world is the left living in? Compare all of this to Obama response in 2011. Then you will see delay, but not here. I'm really just stunned at the blatant liberal lies about all of this. One gets the feeling the left wants a disaster...they want the economy to collapse and millions to die...anything to get rid of Trump. Why does the left HATE America so much? I really don't understand it.
1
The dump administrations complete incompetence in the face of this crisis is one of the biggest scandals of my lifetime. The effects will be far worse, and there will be more deaths, because of the gross negligence. They should all be tried and jailed for this. Nothing else is acceptable.
This virus event will provide decades of PhD topics.
Media driven mass panic in all its various aspects will be studied in depth...everything from personal hysteria to destruction of whole segments of the economies of various countries. I hope the NYT's part in this event is thoroughly probed.
2
I'll take the liberty of adding an 'unlucky' 13th step - don't listen to or trust the Twitter-in-Chief.
1
We heard tonight that there are not enough ventilators and hospital beds should the disease expand exponentially. Why aren't Dr. Fauci and his teams of medical professionals driving Americans' response to the coronavirus pandemic?
https://mobile.twitter.com/tribelaw/status/1237916614818959364
Chloroquine prophylaxis allows you to not just flatten the COVID-19 curve, but actually bends it. It needs to be tried now in high risk patient populations and HCPs where the alternative is no treatment. Real science from a brilliant virologist. Read and learn:
https://medium.com/@savesightmd/an-old-drug-for-the-new-virus-a6fd6a0843bc
It's odd that there doesn't seem to be any reporting on the order from the administration to classify meetings at the CDC dealing with the corona virus. Experts weren't allowed to attend due to lack of security clearance:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-white-house-told-federal-health-agency-to-classify-top-level/
2
Like the Captain of the Titanic everything this president touches turns into something horribly bad.
It has failed miserably in all fronts. Last nigh it announced:sic
". and these prohibitions will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things as we get approval. Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing. These restrictions will also not apply to the United Kingdom.."
Then he added:sic
"...I met with the leaders of health insurance industry who have agreed to waive all co-payments for coronavirus treatments, extend insurance coverage to these treatments, and to prevent surprise medical billing."
Today he is saying the opposite. Trade is not included in the ban and the elimination of copayments DOES NOT apply to treatment, only to testing. (BTW, what testing?????).
Nothing that he says is true. Not a word coming out of his mouth can be trusted. Always expect the worst even after reaching it.
2
President Trump just completed his Oval Office address.
Lies, misinformation, finger pointing, ignorance, self congratulation, and once again making believe that the virus is not already here and that another partial travel ban (this time from Europe except Britain) will be enough. At least the words he read off the teleprompter did not use the word "hoax".
"Mr. President. Let’s roll." ? Trump is careening down a mountain road without the capacity to steer. And he is taking us with him.
Thank you for pulling this together.
"Americans have to face that in the grip of this epidemic, the Oval Office is for all practical purposes as empty as the glazed eyes of the man who spoke from that office tonight."
- David Frum, The Atlantic, 11March
2
Thank you, good advice!
Thank you. We need people telling the truth and making relevant suggestions. I trust the NYT
1
How about moving the Department of Defense money for "THE WALL" to help wall off COVID-19, which is affecting our world much more so than the imaginary threat of immigrants.
1
And immigration/citizenship status should never be asked.
3
The new travel and tax policies are a conservative xenophobe's dream come true.
No taxes! No foreigners! (But the Brits are okay.)
If Trump is serious, we need to include our friends from the United Kingdom in the travel ban.
(How about Saudis? Do we like them any better than we do ze French?)
Too late. Trump is going to Las Vegas. Trump is oblivious and so are his minions.
Harvey Weinstein got 23 yrs. Given Trump's utter incompetence with regard to the Covid-19 Pandemic, he will hopefully be handed a sentence of less than 1 year in office and the rest of his life battling the SDNY. With respect to the latter, one can only hope he joins Weinstein at some point.
1
I always wanted to be in pictures. Now I'm an extra in the feature:
The Microbe that Toppled a Pretend President
1
12 Steps to Tackle the Coronavirus
I have a 13th step
Vote
4
Yep - nothing alarmist at all in Little Nicky's 12-step program.
13. Update your will.
14. Be sure you can vote Democratic by mail, to get competent leadership.
4
Step #1: Do not believe Sean Hannity. This is not a hoax.
Public endangerment can be a felony, Mr. Hannity.
Your purposeful lies to your viewers are endangering their lives.
2
Great ideas! Maybe YOU should be president!
1
This is what happens when you have a president and his political party with no interest in public service at the helm. Black Swan events matter.
2
Didn't the senate just block paid sick leave yesterday?
Twelve Steps for Trump::
1. Have Pence make everybody buy a thermometer. Rapid test!
2. Make Pence wash his hands.
2. Help airlines and cruise lines. Maybe use Medicaid money?
3. Golf, 9-12.
4.
2
What I find crazy is how the US has not been able to undertake reliable and widespread testing when South Korea figured it out quite quickly. Can't you just, you know, call 1-800-South-Korea and ask them advice on how they did it? You know, phone a friend?
166
@Andrea It's pretty obvious that the US is not taking aggressive steps to ramp up testing because the Trump Administration does not want people to know what the real numbers are, or how many people have already been infected. It's just another part of their disinformation campaign.
20
Many years ago, Jon Stewart made the observation that if the government bailed out the individuals who needed mortgage help, that would have protected the banks AND the individuals. But individuals don't have lobbyists while banks, and airlines and cruise companies and hotel chains do. Logic seldom holds sway in these crises. With the present administration, logic and reason are lost causes. So death and destruction are inevitable. Hopefully, Trump won't declare martial law and cancel the election as his next big idea.
1
We need to identify this generations Leslie Grove, the manager of the Manhattan project, hand have her or him rapidly manufacture respirator and ventilators so that they will be available in sufficient. numbers. And speed up training of respiratory therapists so that they do will be ready.
2
It turns out that the current American government is totally incompetent in the face of a global epidemic. Trump got the US out of international treaties and resigned the country from "Leader of the Free World" just in the nick of time, paving the way for more competent world leadership to rise by default. As a bonus, the "world's best health care" myth was finally busted, forcing the country to face the truth: For profit health care is a complete failure. When tourism starts up again prepare for the high cost of travel insurance to the US to skyrocket higher.
7
Regarding schools, handing out textbooks and workbooks is a far better strategy. Digital literacy is pretty easy to teach. You can play catch up later. If the computer breaks though, you're in a much worse position than if you had just given the student a book. More commonly, some students and parents simply won't know how to use a computer. There's no IT department to go help them in pandemic.
This is one of those situations where you should trust the analog solution. Parents might not keep up with a course syllabus anyway. However, you don't want a wayward technology glitch to disrupt their efforts entirely.
2
GREAT article.. excellent information s/b a must read... However, I take great exception to the last sentence... The term "let's roll" has taken on a reverence based upon the selfless sacrifices of it's originators. To toss it out to someone who has not only no concept of selflessness, but epitomizes it's denigration was out of place..
4
I posted this a few days ago but professional services companies have STILL not banned travel to clients. They are waiting for clients to tell them what to do, putting employees at risk and the general public.
Most of our workforce is on at least two planes a week and stays in hotels. I know that employees from different firms have tested positive for Covid-19.
This is a classic example of profit over people. Many of my colleagues are upset. We are told we don’t have to travel if we don’t want to but there is a culture of needing to “show up” despite health risks. I guarantee we have contributed to this outbreak and it’s irresponsible for our leadership to put the onus on clients and us as employees.
For reference, these firms have hundreds of thousands employees worldwide.
1
Thank you Nick. This is a superior piece that is practical, demonstrates true leadership and promotes sound, professional advice. Thank goodness for superior governors such as Jay Inslee (WA), Andrew Cuomo (NY) and Gavin Newsom (CA) who are leading their states in the best way they know how with their own public health professionals, and in the absence of competent Federal Executive Branch leadership in the behavior of our Golfer-in-Chief who can't tweet away this major public health threat.
8
Forget the FICA proposal. FICA helps pay for unemployment and we will need it. Tax the sale of stocks and bonds. A quarter point tax on the sale of a share will provide most of the funds we will need for the SBA and it will limit the ambulance chasers in the market.
3
I'm a psychologist working in an office where we are just about 6 feet away from each other. I can still occasionally smell another's (not bad) breath.
1. I do the doorknob touching
2. I offer to wear a mask or for each person to hold a tissue or hand in front of mouth when speaking
3. I use a sanitizer wipe on chair arms between sessions.
Hope this helps some others.
3
Yes these actions will cost money. But probably far less than the trillions that have already been wiped off the stock markets and other asset classes. If this pandemic continues unabated, the damage could be over a trilliion The 12 actions cited probably cost at most in the couple hundred billion range. Seems a good investment...
4
I live in "the Little Italy of Boston." We have 87 restaurants in .37 square miles. My job is unrelated to this, and probably safe, but I woke up this morning worrying about all the people who work in my neighborhood. How will they be able to pay the bills? Then I moved on to airliner workers, owners of small shops, and os on. It occurs to me that if what we desperately need is medical tests, ventilators, surgical masks, hand sanitizer, and extra medical facilities, there are an awful lot of soon to be unemployed folks out there who would probably be happy to go help make things, build things, and perhaps even provide basic medical care to those who need it. When I mentioned this to my wife at the breakfast table, she said "yes, like during WW II when people did different work than usual in order to support the war effort." Seems like a win-win to me.
8
Nicholas made an excellent suggestion for us retired RN's and MD's. As we face the inevitable vulnerability of our hospital health care professionals - not because of lack of knowledge but because of lack of equipment including test kits - we should be at the ready to volunteer our help and assistance. We all know the "drill" from years of experience as well as our education. Let us join together to make our presence known in our communities. It is obvious that our state and local governments are far more prepared and competent than the White House is. One final word: Thank you, Dr. Fauci. Without you only God knows where this nation would be today in fighting covid-19.
11
As A semi retired Nurse Practitioner I think these suggestions are great. And , at the same time some are going to be hard to put in place in the US. We must have more test kits , we must have more personal protective equipment and teach people how to use them properly. People who must travel should wear masks in the airports and on the planes. And masks should be provided to all the passengers on an plane . But one things we do not want to do is panic folks , This is not the time to go to the stores and stockpile things . But one thing not mentioned- frequent and correct hand washing - with soap and water and covering the entire hand and wrist for 20 seconds or more - ( time to sing happy birthday song twice ) . then, if you are in a public restroom use a paper to open the door to get out because the door handle are contaminated by the thousands of hands that touch them every day and are rarely washed . Bottom line be sensible check with the CDC, call your healthcare provider if you are feeling ill and avoid large crowds.
5
This is a good start but does not address the issue of child care when schools and day care is closed. How can doctors, nurses, janitors and everyone needed in the health care system go to work if their kids are home?
7
We can’t blame Trump exclusivity. Progressive states like Oregon have continued to deny the severity of Covid-19. On Thursday, March 12, Governor Brown announced that schools will remain open and did not recommended working from home. Governor Brown’s conservative response will have a negative impact as seen in Italy, Iran, and China.
I’m thankful for the NY Times providing guidance from experts during this time. I wish our leaders would follow this guidance.
8
Here in Seattle as a primary care physician in managed care setting we have already been already using our virtual medicine capacity to the fullest with phone calls, care chats, secure messaging most often trying to alleviate anxieties, worries, a delicate balance of reassurance without encouraging complacency to keep our patients and the communities safe.
Despite the message coming from the top saying anyone can get tested if your doctor approves, currently we do not have the capacity to test everyone hence the reason to use a clinical criteria and clinical judgment. Until such time when we have wide spread availability of testing we have been asked to prioritize the once who are more likely to have COVID-19 and more likely to run in to complications.
Most patients I talk to understand that their cold or cough are more likely to be viral and not necessarily coronavirus yet they need to take measures to not pass it on to others. There was only one out of many I talked to, threatened to have my name published in the newspaper because I did not order the test for him.
The news media also has a delicate balancing act to perform. While pressuring the Federal and local governments to make testing more readily available they need to not create mass panic leading to over stretching the capacity not just in testing but getting the care to the people who need it the most. A case in point was a recent opinion piece by Robin Shulman.
6
Here's a thought: Instead of bailing out the airlines, give each U.S. citizen and resident a full refund on any unused airline and cruise tickets.
That will put money back in the hands of those who need it.
One of the main reason people continue the madness of flying and cruising is that they already booked their tickets AND they don't qualify for a refund.
6
Until yesterday Corona Virus has never been a big concern for Trump or even a Hoax. Today it is a foreign virus and it is Europes fault, that Trump completely messed up. Always the same lame pattern. First denial, then panicing and blaming others. I'm surprised he didn't also blame Obama for it. Trump is definetly not a role model in times of a global crisis. I'm glad he finally woke up though!
This time he receives direct feedback of his horrible judgement. Unfortunately the public and especially the weakest in society will feel it too. And unfortunately he is immune to self reflection and science facts.
Thus his terrible judgement concerning global warming will still haunt generations after him globally.
12
"Enough with your fiddling, Mr. President. Let’s roll."
Thank you, Nicholas Kristof for an excellent list of acton steps.
Speaker Pelosi, please rally the House around these steps. Mitch McConnell, you paying attention yet?
If Trump won't act -- go over, under, around, or through. Just don't wait for him.
P.S. Could we see some action on HR1 and a Senate equivalent? Safeguard our democracy and elections while this pandemic is going on?
6
I put my extreme Republican brain on as I read Kristoff's comments. It occurred to me that Kristoff is advocating socialism (i.e. free testing, for instance). Yes, socialism. For instance, expanding Medicaid. Shocked after reading his article, I took a nap and awakened in my healed brain and applauded his article.
135
@Terry Gilbert You say: "It occurred to me that Kristoff is advocating socialism (i.e. free testing, for instance). Yes, socialism. "
If you think that giving free testing to contain a pandemic is socialism, then what do you call repeated tax cuts for the wealthy who do not need it?
You are operating from a stance of irrational conservatism that sees everything the government does to help ordinary people as "socialism," while everything it does to help the rich and powerful as "freedom."
23
@ernieh1
You should read the entirety of Mr. Gilbert's post, and not be too quick to judge-- he's actually on your side.
9
@ernieh1 What Wes said. It was a bit of light snark!
2
As a baby born during an air rad in the UK in 1943, I can only repeat the mantra of that period: KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.
Right now we are turning in to a race of headless chickens. Our Great Leader has NO CLUE and will only pontificate for his own self-serving platform.
Folks ... just use Common Sense. Please.
10
I would like to add to the list that if you still smoke, now's the time to quit. I would bet a good deal of smokers in the high risk group and have been smoking for many years and still do. Smoking in all public places that haven't already banned it should now do so. I would include E cigarettes in this category also as it has proven to damage even young healthy lungs.
4
If only you were president or in charge of the emergency preparations. A well-thought, overall strategy for re-assuring Americans and addressing the emergency.
6
Nick, I've never disagreed with any of columns, but you're wrong on this one. It's too late for some of the measures you have laid out. I keep hearing the ghost of Reagan, wondering when Americans can expect to hear the words he uttered in jest: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' After a career in the UN, I was always happy to see disaster relief mobilization, more so the USAID logo in action. America needs this type of intervention. Not holding my breath, especially and astonishingly, after 45 found room in his screed to tell us that this is not a financial crisis and that for him, it'll be America First again. Vote Biden in 2020.
8
13. The media, including the New York Times, needs to do a better job of both calming the public down and reiterating the severity of the virus. Unmitigated hysteria is not helping one bit.
14. There is a paucity of the actual case statistics in most articles. What is the fatality rate among individuals without preexisting conditions, broken down by age? The current statistics do not reflect the actual trend-lines of the virus as most cases are mild and non-life threatening. Time will tell when it comes to the actual amount of cases that simply weren't reported at all.
4
We can only imagine how many people would not have died had that president not turned down a huge amount of testing kits. He has never stopped playing this crisis down. Even with his cold, callous, again self-serving speech. Every few minutes another state declares a state of emergency. Its always about him and his ratings. He can forget about his ratings now. This article says trump and other health officials need to act immediately. Immediately was months ago. The Health Officials tried, but he muzzled them. I wonder how many of his supporters have lost a family member or are seriously ill with this virus. I daresay they will consider voting for him again.
3
And then:
13. After spending tax dollars to save the country, apologize to President Obama for resisting HIS efforts to spend tax dollars to save the country in 2008.
5
Wish you and Gov. Cuomo could run for president--the people who know what to do vs. the do-nothing Repub bloviators who are sealing our doom.
3
Repurpose pediatricians? What does the author think pediatricians do?
We sir, are in the trenches as well. Although kids don't seem to get severely sick with this particular virus, they do transmit the disease to others.
8
All excellent ideas. Chances of any of them being implemented under the Trump administration? Zero!! To him, this is an economic problem not a health care problem. God help us all.
3
Excellent article. The shortcomings of our federal government, and the total Incompetence of our president, where the buck stops, are now painfully obvious. One point I might dispute is the wisdom of using retired doctors and nurses, most of them elderly, who are the most vulnerable to dying from the disease.
3
Trump’s awful address has convinced me he is still doing everything he can to suppress the reported numbers of infected Americans, a goal he stated explicitly in his denouncement of removing distressed passengers from a cruise ship. He is an active agent of the spread of COVID-19.
4
The Trump Admin has it exactly backwards. A payroll tax cut is for after the peak, when the race to get the country back on its feet is on. Today the house is on fire and burning and Trump is shopping for drapes and steam showers for the eventual rebuild. This is ignorance and denial writ large. What is needed, at minimum, is free testing-- everywhere --and paid sick leave for the vast numbers of us workers who will need to stay at home to help depress the peak of this disease cycle.
4
We have the perfect president in place to make COVID-19 an absolute disaster. I have zero faith that the ego-in-chief will do anything but tout his own accomplishments rather than deal with the emergency.
His goal to "destroy the administrative state" has been accomplished. Governmental agencies designed to deal with outbreaks like this have been gutted, and now function under a constant state of fear, thanks to Trump's tendency to fly into a rage at a moment's notice.
Trump has encouraged his followers to deny scientific fact, to mistrust the media, and accept lies as truth. That is the worst possible thing during a pandemic. People are going to die needlessly.
3
The President has set up the task force.
The task force has some of the best experts in the world from the CDC and other agencies.
Let them do their work.
The virus has been a moving target and actions are being taken.
When Trump acted decisively at the advice of the CDC and early on shut down travel from China, he was decried as a racist.
Hysteria mongering for political points and implying the government is doing nothing are not a useful activity.
Mr. Kristof writes about flattening the curve. Most NY Times readers don't know of or understand the "curve". Why doesn't this article have an picture of the curve and an explanation such as ""We are much better off if 100 million Americans contract the coronavirus over 18 months rather than over 18 weeks", so that that hospitals and other resources aren't overwhelmed at any point in time."
1
Now all the people who voted for Trump find out what it is like to have a president who is not a leader.
He has put incompetent people in cabinet positions and other key posts, whose qualifications are that they support the president, not criticize his statements, and at all costs attack the Democrats and any of their policies.
The situation and response regarding the Coronavirus is just one example showing the results of gutting the CDC’s funding, criticizing its leadership, and making false or misleading statements regarding the Coronavirus outbreak.
I hope all the people who voted for Trump are happy with their decision.
5
Kristof’s list is correct and the culmination of lessons learned from the 1918 influenza pandemic - my grandmother died in that pandemic. If you have the stomach for it, now is a good time to read John Barry’s The Great Influenza which lays out how President Woodrow Wilson prefigured the Trump administration’s fumbled response today.
2
It is time for Trump to show if he is going to be a "Pass the buck" president, or a "The buck stops here" president.
@Joe We've seen that in the past 3 plus years. There's no doubt. He holds his pocket open and wants that buck to enter.
2
I wonder how many people know that Nero tortured and executed Christians, scapegoating and blaming them for the fire in then mostly pagan Rome. Should give Trump's evangelical following pause.
There is no excuse for the lack of testing equipment, masks, and medical equipment and planning on the part of Trump and his administration, composed of people he picked precisely because they knew nothing about the departments they were supposed to be directing. This is gross negligence. The stock market continues to go down because even with a script in the middle of a global crisis Trump can't get his story straight. He is not mentally capable of dealing with this, as some have been saying all along.
5
We can't wait for warmer weather. We have to develop vaccines quicker than the virus' spreading speed, which seems impossible.
So....
We're Doomed
2
Simple ideas for places of work:
1. Hold a tissue, or even just your hand, over your mouth when you speak.
2. If you work in an office and have customers, you offer to touch all door knobs for them.
2
And a huge thanks to mitch and his senate pals whose names will all live in infamy.
7
....and reverse the reckless 2017 Trump-GOP tax cuts for the rich so we can pay for a decent governmental response and a decent society.
Have you no decency, Republicans ?
9
When Covid-19 broke out in Wuhan China, Republicans found it perfectly appropriate to start publicly calling it the "China" virus, or the "Wuhan" virus.
That virus has now spread - we have no idea how far, because we're not testing - into the US, because the Administration failed to treat it as a serious threat. Now, weeks later, the President has reversed himself, announcing it actually is a serious medical threat, and....banning those filthy Europeans from bringing it to our pristine shores.
Well, it's already here, it's not contained (as we were told) and the CDC as of today had conducted exactly zero tests.
In keeping with Republican logic, it's clear, this is now 100% the Trump virus.
8
Trump is paralyzed. He doesn't want to radically step up testing as the numbers of reported cases would go up drastically. He doesn't want to be heavily criticized for handling a crisis poorly in an election year. So here we are.
Meanwhile, the artificially low numbers in the US are causing massive underpreparation in our big cities.
We should be banning sports events, concerts etc. right now, when its effectiveness against spreading is highest. The Boston marathon is still officially on. Over 30,000 people from 100+ countries weakening their immune systems over 26 miles, really?
What are these people thinking?
You can be certain that the virus is spreading like a wildfire through our big cities already right now.
It's going to be bad. We will need field hospitals and military medical help and insurance based triage is going to expose the ugliness of our healthcare system.
2
Retired doctors? Put them front and center in ERs/hospitals? They're all likely in their 70s or older----many with higher risk diagnoses themselves. NOT a good idea!
8
@Judie You're right about that. I'm wondering if they could assist from lower risk environments?
If this is Trump’s fault; then so are these other things the fault of former presidents: people who die because they can’t afford insulin, people who die because their deductibles are so high they avoid going to the doctor, people who go bankrupt from medical bills, and on and on. Who designated China ias most favorite nation? Who put in the affordable care act that prescription drugs could not be negotiated? Seriously, I am sick and tired of the blame game and hatred that the news media assaults us with. Helps no one.
1
Trump just spoke to the nation. There was something really weird about his affect and I have figured it out. When he is raging against some group of people or other he seems large and dangerous. When he can't rage there is no personality at all. He is an empty husk of a person, a zombie or pod person straight out of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
11
Dream on. As far as Trump is concerned, Americans are votes and the fact that they are actual people is completely immaterial. If you expect Trump to do anything that doesn’t directly benefit himself, you’re fooling yourself.
6
Everyone should all be acting as though they’re infected until they know otherwise. If you’ve got a cold or cough of any kind, stay at home. Anyone who can telecommute should be doing so. In public we should be keeping our distance and minding the personal space of others. And for the sake of all that is good and holy, we should be cleaning our hands often, and as if we just gave Harvey Weinstein a thigh massage on a hot summer day.
Our government can’t stop robocalls, expecting them to thwart COVID-19 is pure folly. The government will allocate resources; medical professionals will treat victims and search for a vaccine, but preventing the dissemination of this virus is up to us as individuals.
Prepare for the worst
Assume you’re infected
Never touch your face
Isolate yourself
Clean your hands as if you just massaged Harvey
Positive thinking is for the already infected, for everyone else, think negative, stay negative.
2
Republicans hate science. They believe in thoughts and prayers. They destroyed the institutions to help in these cases. American science was great after the WW II. It was open to the world. It was admired . Republicans are destroying good schools for everyone. They are destroying good colleges , because they want future generations to believe in FOX news. For FOX the virus was just hoax. How any American can think Republicans are good for the USA is beyond me.
6
One question that this nation needs to collectively ask itself is why Nicholas Kristof's points 1, 8. 9 and 12 should only apply at a time of crisis. They are the norm in nations with a functioning welfare state.
If anything were a good argument for universal health care, it's this health emergency.
21:10 EDT, 3/11; reposted 00:00 EDT, 3/12
2
Move the last to rule to top. Assure people they will have an income,home and food when they are dealing with this virus.
2
Step 13: Elect a president who believes that healthcare should be free and available to all.
5
First step: perspective. Today, March 12: 200 cases in NY state after the first appearance announced on March 1st. NY State population: 20 million.
Between Feb 22 and the 29th, nationwide influenza tally: 2 million new cases, 40,000 hospitalizations and 2000 people died from influenza. A span of seven days. Yet no one closed up shop or sent kids home from school blaming influenza.
The figures gotten from the original and updated version of this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/health/coronavirus-flu.html?searchResultPosition=1
NY population is 6.1 percent of the country, 327 million people. 6.1 percent of the Feb 22 to Feb 29 figures gives you 120,000 new cases, 2400 hospitalizations and 120 deaths. In seven days. Perspective.
One wonders if sheep could comprehend human speech what additional havoc might've been wrought in the meadows
by the boy who cried "wolf".
Thank you Mr. Nicholas Kristof, ever consider running for President? You seem to have more leadership experience and emotional intelligence than the correct occupant.
2
A society that can't deal with the spread of Trump and those who support him with money or votes doesn't stand much chance against an invisible disease. Circling the wagons doesn't do any good when the enemy is inside the circle.
3
How about FEMA building temporary hospitals, MASH tents etc. since we won't have capacity at our hospitals.
3
If you want real, unvarnished advice, google the State of WA Dept. of Health and see its state-wide, coordinated response that is independent of the Trump administration's epic failure to inform citizens. There is no sugar coating of reality happening here at ground zero. Also google what Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation are doing to respond to the pandemic. It gives me hope.
Americans should be outraged at the incompetent and corrupt sycophants lauding Trump for his lying leadership in these trying times (truly sickening). Just checked with the airlines, and surprise - they are and will continue to fly planes from Europe into the US. Yep, another lie from DJT and those who prop him up, pull his strings, and make him dance.
6
My conservative friends are not taking this pandemic seriously because of the president and Fox News.
How many Americans will die because of this administration's ignorance? Where are the tests that were promised by Pence last week? How do we even know how many Americans are infected?
Maybe gutting the CDC was not one of Trump's best decisions. This is small ineffective government at its worse.
6
For Mr. Kristoff our travel and tourism industry is expendable.
Elected officials from both parties who have spent decades catering to their donors, blew trillions in wars and left us with a healthcare system unprepared for emergencies. And they might've just suckered the voting people to perpetuate that for 4 more years.
Our emergency preparedness is pathetic. We are on the same trajectory as Italy, but on the same pages that cover the pandemic, we continue to scare voters away from the "socialist".
4
So Trump bans anyone who has visited Shengen areas but not the UK which has also been too slow in reaction to Covid19.
1
"Invest in a huge rollout of free testing so that we know who is sick." What planet are you on? NYC and NY State can't even get a fraction of the necessary testing going, paid or free. And there are a shortage of necessary testing chemicals.
1
Does heat and microwave like in autoclave cleaning kill the virus?
1
@Nadine
Yes. You gotta get to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the virus.
Governor Cuomo was on Morning Joe today. He said that NY is STILL not getting the number of test kits they need from the CDC. They compared it to the instant test kits available in South Korea (where they are doing drive-up testing).
The SK test kits are from the WHO. Cuomo said that the FDA (under Alex Azar) will not allow the WHO test kits to be used in the US. When asked why, he said “I still haven’t received any answers to that question”.
So we have to use the CDC test kits, which are in short supply and take a long time to get results.
The CDC test kits are being done by a company called “Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation”. They just bought the Dutch company “Qiagen NV” for $10B just a few days ago.
https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2020/03/03/dutch-company-with-large-moco-presence-to-be.html
Thermo Fisher says the acquisition of Qiagen will expand its diagnostics offerings, especially in the area of infectious diseases, and will expand its geographic reach. Qiagen supplies and develops molecular diagnostics largely in the infectious disease arena. The company has been working on a test for the COVID-19 coronavirus, now being evaluated in four hospitals in China, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Coincidently, Trump has investments in the same company
“Thermo Fisher Scientific”. Could this be the reason that the WHO test kits were not used?
http://pfds.opensecrets.org/N00023864_2017.pdf
P. 41, 43
8
A "reality TV and social media fix" will not get America through our current crisis. Truth-telling, compassion, courage, character, and considered action will. Despite their hubris and conspiracy theories, Trump and his cronies will be held accountable. He is the pouting, sad, angry, mean, corrupt, lying, hyper-narcissistic version of the stereotypical "country club" Republican. His party's decades-long resistance to the constitution and public good, to compromise and to good-governing is looming over us.
America "better angels" will get us through the pandemic but all of us will pay the price.
4
American leadership of the world is slipping ever since Trump has brought a hammer to our leadership role of the world. Whenever in the past there was a world problem America stepped up to the plate and helped the world. Not only have we slipped in tackling the problem here we had a big opportunity to win over the world by taking steps to provide testing kits to the poor countries of the globe.
Trump's quarantine of all of Europe is an insane misstep. It is a huge blow to the travel industry as well as the stock market. There has to be a trade off. Life must go on. All passengers who show signs of the virus must be tested at boarding. Airplanes, ships, trains and even buses must be equipped with quarantine sections so those who are sick and slip through can be isolated.
Factories, shops, restaurants offices must remain open. Only those older than 60 who show signs of sickness and test positive must be kept away. Younger ones who do get sick can be made healthy again. Their temporary sickness is a small price to pay verses shutting down all economic activity.
This is an unfortunate crisis of leadership of Trump. He has messed up the response. America and the world is paying a price for it. How come no one is exposing Trump's insane brain as the cause of his emotionally challenged behavior? The Democrats and Republicans must make sure that never again is an insane brain allowed to contest for the White House.
A bipartisan covid-19 veto proof policy is needed.
2
Chinas stock market only down 1%. I find that rather strange. I wonder if this was a man made virus. Trump has been disrespectful of China and they have remained silent because they knew...…..I said ages ago when he put on the tariffs that China will do something just before elections to topple Trump and show up his weakness. I wonder if the Chinese government withdrew shares from Wall St before the freefall.
2
Thank you for such a comprehensive and clear plan!
Seeing all the things trump is not doing, and knowing he let go the epidemiologist President Obama had put in place is shameful and shows complete incompetence.
I wonder if his followers will see this?
But thank you again for this plan and was to help ourselves.
1
On French TV this evening, Italian doctors are crying for help. They are exhausted and submerged and lack many basics. Italy has called 10,000 doctors from retirement. All bars and restaurants are closed in the entire country. Only supermarkets and pharmacies are open.
Incredibly, the only country helping Italy is China. It is sending 5000 ventilators and 2 million masks. American prestige will never recover. Maybe Trump should ask help from China and ask South Korea how to test.
3