We Must Act Now!

GUEST EDITORIAL

We must act now (Photo – covidactnow.org)

This time we have to get it right.

By Marina Khubesrian 

It is important to get the attention of people here and all across the States.

The new anti-intellectual denial of the threat of the coronavirus is putting American lives at risk. An anti-science perspective has taken hold among many but the science of pandemics though complicated show several clear realities, including the burden of providing adequate protective equipment for our hospitals, emergency rooms and clinics, adequate testing and turnaround time to predict the behavior of the virus, and available facilities and treatments for the most severely afflicted patients. There is a grimmer reality on the ground in this situation and understanding it starts with listening to the experts who are there to help us, and not letting their work be undermined by political considerations or predictions of future economic calamities.

California acted right on time!

This is an interactive map that predicts outcomes based on timing and 4 levels of action we can take for each state.  The California model has us in good shape if we do our part and shelter in place  as the experts recommend. Here’s the link to this interactive map showing the projected cases for each state and their deadline to act: ovidactnow.org.

Public leaders & health officials: The only thing that matters right now is the speed of your response.

I agree 100% with the governors and city leaders who have said: “We must move aggressively and immediately. The time for half measures is over. History will not forgive us for waiting an hour more.”

A small window of opportunity

Ask your friends and family in other states if their governors and city leaders are doing enough NOW to protect the public. There is a small window of opportunity – a matter of days for most States – to slow the spread of transmission and illness to a manageable pace- one that will keep our healthcare workforce safer and give them the tools and time they need to safely and properly treat those patients and save lives.

About 20% of people who have been exposed get more severely ill and require medical care. If we could treat every one of those patients with our standard medical protocols calling for oxygen and respirators, we would save many more lives all across this country.

Winning the war with the least casualties

If we temporarily nationalize and ramp up the manufacture of needed protective gear and medical supplies for our frontline fighters, then and only then will we win this war with the least casualties, the least amount of grief for our communities all across these United States of America. You deserve nothing less.

Let’s support #covidactnow and #shelterinplace!

Marina Khubesrian, M.D. is a Councilmember and former Mayor of the City of South Pasadena.