We are resilient
I wanted to start this off with the BEST QUOTE EVER!
We are resilient and we will get through this, we may be a bit bruised emotionally, physically and financially but we will be stronger for it.
There were a number of thoughts running through my head over the past few days and I am not sure where they will lead me but I am going to start to put them down to try and make sense of them.
Looking at MA, which is a small state, the response that makes sense given the population density of Boston/Sommerville/Cambridge/Jamaica Plain, etc, may not make sense for Western MA and some of the cities and towns just north on the NH border. I will freely admit that this adds a certain complexity to the situation but I think it would be best for the Governor to work with the various mayors to determine a specific set of group responses. Looking at the various population densities within just one small state, you can see how it would be more complex for some other states, but this is just the reason I don't think a top down approach will work well for the people.
I am not suggesting that each state go wild and do their own thing, there does need to be a level of coordination at the top level. Ideally, that will be a framework and then it can be handed down to the state level and then down the county level to implement based on the population density and another risk factors for whatever it is that has been declared a national health emergency.
Taking a look at some of the responses friends of mine have posted on FB I can see different levels of frustration and acceptance of the sequester that we find ourselves in. I fully acknowledge that it is needed, however, I take some issue with the implementation of it. My nonscientific study of my friend's reactions lines up the type of region that they are in, urban or nonurban. I am not a questioner but I do bristle at draconian proclamations especially ones that don't make sense for my specific region. and immediately feel the need to do exactly what I was told not to do, and I wonder if for the next time something happens if we are able to have a more refined approach if people would be more willing to participate in what is being asked of them.
For me personally, because a lot is being asked of us during this time of sequester I would certainly feel better if the FDA, CDC, and all various parts of the government could demonstrate that they are going to respond in a similar manner.
Also, I would like to see the FDA and CDC be a bit more willing to let go of control. I feel like both agencies were too power-hungry and controlling at the expense of actual patient care. I was very dismayed when I read about the red tape that was present just to create some tests because while they were medical-grade labs and not someone's bathroom they were not certified and the FDA or CDC level. At an unprecedented time like this, if they are a legit medical facility then let them do the work, it is needless red tape.
Secondly, dragging feet on using existing drugs to treat patients especially when they have been showing promise in other countries (I am looking at S. Korea and Australia) then let the doctors continue in that vein. Those are drugs that have been vetted and the side effects are known. Using drugs for off label purposes is not something new and something doctors have been doing FOREVER. Those doctors are perfectly aware of how to evaluate the trade-offs between side effects and patient care, let them do their job.
“I spoke about this before, but let me be clear: We are not planning any shelter-in-place orders,” Baker stressed. “In times of crisis, it’s imperative that everyone get their news from legitimate places, and sometimes that’s not from your friend’s friend’s friend’s friend’s neighbor.” - Massachuesettes Governor Charlie Baker
We are resilient and we will get through this, we may be a bit bruised emotionally, physically and financially but we will be stronger for it.
There were a number of thoughts running through my head over the past few days and I am not sure where they will lead me but I am going to start to put them down to try and make sense of them.
- The meme goes something like this ...Our grandparents were called on to save the world in war and we are called to save the world by sitting on our couch.
- We are not really accustomed to being inconvenienced on a regular basis.
- We are reacting very emotionally, which can be both good and bad.
- We are focused on one impact of this virus it seems hyper vigilantly that we are not as focused on other impacts and maybe we should be.
- People are amazing when push comes to shove. Example of the doctor basically MacGyvering a ventilator to serve more than one person.
- Yes, we need to be cautious but I am starting to feel that our knee jerk reaction to the unknown that is this virus needs to be dialed back a bit. And as we learn more about it I become more optimistic about gaining control of it and moving back to living in a more normal manner. I think that this article in Medium (the article has been removed, not sure that I agree with that but c'est la vie) did a great job cutting through the hype and looking at the situation in a more level headed manner.
- Just because I am already thinking about the need to make changes in the way we deal with it doesn't mean that I am looking for changes ASAP, and I am not sure I regret the knee jerk reaction that has happened. I certainly understand it and believe it has been helpful, but too much help can actually be a hindrance as well, so I think it is very important to be on the lookout for a good time to emerge from our national sequester.
- While the national health emergency is important at some point we need to dial this back for the national economic emergency that is nipping at the heels of this health emergency. We need to find a balance.
Looking at MA, which is a small state, the response that makes sense given the population density of Boston/Sommerville/Cambridge/Jamaica Plain, etc, may not make sense for Western MA and some of the cities and towns just north on the NH border. I will freely admit that this adds a certain complexity to the situation but I think it would be best for the Governor to work with the various mayors to determine a specific set of group responses. Looking at the various population densities within just one small state, you can see how it would be more complex for some other states, but this is just the reason I don't think a top down approach will work well for the people.
I am not suggesting that each state go wild and do their own thing, there does need to be a level of coordination at the top level. Ideally, that will be a framework and then it can be handed down to the state level and then down the county level to implement based on the population density and another risk factors for whatever it is that has been declared a national health emergency.
Taking a look at some of the responses friends of mine have posted on FB I can see different levels of frustration and acceptance of the sequester that we find ourselves in. I fully acknowledge that it is needed, however, I take some issue with the implementation of it. My nonscientific study of my friend's reactions lines up the type of region that they are in, urban or nonurban. I am not a questioner but I do bristle at draconian proclamations especially ones that don't make sense for my specific region. and immediately feel the need to do exactly what I was told not to do, and I wonder if for the next time something happens if we are able to have a more refined approach if people would be more willing to participate in what is being asked of them.
For me personally, because a lot is being asked of us during this time of sequester I would certainly feel better if the FDA, CDC, and all various parts of the government could demonstrate that they are going to respond in a similar manner.
Also, I would like to see the FDA and CDC be a bit more willing to let go of control. I feel like both agencies were too power-hungry and controlling at the expense of actual patient care. I was very dismayed when I read about the red tape that was present just to create some tests because while they were medical-grade labs and not someone's bathroom they were not certified and the FDA or CDC level. At an unprecedented time like this, if they are a legit medical facility then let them do the work, it is needless red tape.
Secondly, dragging feet on using existing drugs to treat patients especially when they have been showing promise in other countries (I am looking at S. Korea and Australia) then let the doctors continue in that vein. Those are drugs that have been vetted and the side effects are known. Using drugs for off label purposes is not something new and something doctors have been doing FOREVER. Those doctors are perfectly aware of how to evaluate the trade-offs between side effects and patient care, let them do their job.
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