Citizens Look to State Governments for COVID-19 Solutions
As cases of COVID-19 soar in metropolitan areas, places like New York City struggle to respond to the public health crisis (Source)
With over 300,000 cases of COVID-19 reported across all fifty US states as of the writing of this article, the coronavirus pandemic poses a grave threat to the country’s public health. Growing concerns about community spread in certain areas continue to prompt drastic prevention measures from state and local governments. As the virus takes hold in states like New York and New Jersey, each currently reporting more than 5,000 cases, localities must take action to quell the contagion and draft effective plans for economic and social recovery.
Currently, 41 states remain under mandatory stay-at-home orders, requiring citizens to practice social distancing and refrain from non-essential travel. These actions help enforce CDC recommendations against close contact with others, protecting citizens from exposure to the virus. Despite these well-intentioned efforts at prevention, certain cities find themselves under intense pressure to care for those who are already sick.
New York City remains in a precarious situation as the virus continues to spread throughout the densely packed metropolis. Mayor Bill de Blasio has warned that the city’s supply of ventilators and other medical devices is quickly diminishing, revealing the extent of the stress on overwhelmed local hospitals. As a result, doctors and nurses have asked state officials for increased discretion in life-saving situations, as medical facilities may need to prioritize patients with the best chances at recovery. These prospects put patients, families, and healthcare workers alike under extreme duress, prompting action by the state government.
Governor Andrew Cuomo does not trust the federal government to respond to New York City’s crisis in a timely manner, so the state has formulated a backup plan. Currently, New York’s state government is seeking to purchase more ventilators and repurpose BiPAP machines to treat COVID-19 patients. Despite worries about federal cooperation, the USNS Comfort recently docked in the New York Harbor, ready to alleviate pressure on local hospitals by treating non-COVID patients.
As COVID-19 patients overwhelm healthcare networks, those who need routine medical procedures worry about many risks surrounding hospital visits during the pandemic. To prevent potential spread of the virus, two hospital systems in New York do not allow any birthing partners in labor and delivery rooms. The decision has prompted many pregnant women to leave New York, as the prospect of giving birth alone is extremely frightening. Additionally, cancer patients with compromised immune systems are seeing their treatments put off, leaving their survival in limbo. With the increasing severity of the outbreak in the United States, citizens experience greater worries surrounding their access to everyday healthcare.
As this public health crisis increases demand for medical supplies, some companies have been able to limit financial losses by temporarily producing these items. Right now, GM engineers are working in hastily transformed factories to build ventilators that will be sold to the federal government. Large clothing brands have also stepped up to produce masks and gowns for patients and healthcare workers. However, small businesses will require lots of financial help to recover, as many have been forced to close during the outbreak. Therefore, state governments must act in the coming months to help communities heal and rebuild their economies.
Citizens are increasingly looking to their local governments for both action and reassurance, making the pandemic an intense test of trust in our institutions. As the country moves through this unprecedented situation, it could prove a make or break moment for American’s faith in the powers which preside over the nation.