{"id":8545,"date":"2020-03-01T14:30:02","date_gmt":"2020-03-01T19:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.trinitydc.edu\/president\/?p=8545"},"modified":"2020-10-23T14:11:22","modified_gmt":"2020-10-23T18:11:22","slug":"hoax-politics-and-the-peoples-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitydc.edu\/president\/2020\/03\/hoax-politics-and-the-peoples-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Hoax Politics and The People’s Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>“Hoax” may just be the most over-used word of this political era, right up there with “fake news” and “alternative facts.”\u00a0 We have grown used to the political class making stuff up, glossing over facts, accusing others of the lies that they tell, themselves, with great aplomb and a righteousness once reserved for serious preachers.\u00a0 Our president has been known to call climate change<\/a> a “hoax,” as he termed the Mueller Report,\u00a0 refugees<\/a> seeking asylum, and impeachment.<\/p>\n

So, it’s hardly surprising that the president and his chief of staff<\/a> used the word “hoax”<\/a> to describe the Coronavirus<\/a> outbreak last week.\u00a0 Within a day, the administration walked back that cavalier dismissal of the disease as an opposition plot, but still, the immature and politically selfish image of an administration consumed with its own politics lingers.<\/p>\n

Politicians of all stripes bend the truth to fit their own narratives; presidents of both parties have told some legendary whoppers.\u00a0 But in any given era, the quality of a president’s leadership is measured not by political victories but by the manner in which the president is able to speak to, comfort and inspire people broadly, not just the base, and especially in times of challenge and crisis.\u00a0 Great leadership is all about rising above politics and reaching beyond bitter partisan divides to calm a population nervous about whatever threat looms.\u00a0 Think of President Roosevelt’s famous line in the midst of the worst Depression in American history, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”\u00a0 American history offers good examples of presidents across the political spectrum rising up in times of crisis to inspire and lead a frightened, upset public.<\/p>\n

The threat of a pandemic as Covid-19 spreads is real, though whether it will become a serious problem in the United States remains to be seen. At present, the local health threat is minimal; there are no confirmed cases in the Washington region.\u00a0 American and global stock markets are reacting badly because the virus is disrupting manufacturing and supply chains, and likely to harm economic productivity in some key regions.<\/p>\n

Globally, Coronavirus<\/a> has spread from China to Japan to South Korea to Iran and Italy and now to Washington State and Oregon, California and other states. In a world where people travel from place to place with relative ease, congregating in airports and transportation hubs, it’s not surprising that an infection can run through the global population in a matter of weeks.\u00a0 Colds and flu do this all the time, and we cope with our “airplane colds” as a matter of course.\u00a0 Taking a threat of a new disease in stride and with a calm response is important; but dismissing the emergence of the disease as some kind of political plot is simply irresponsible.<\/p>\n

Scientists know that a deadly virus claims no political party, inflicts its damage on Republicans and Democrats and Independents alike.\u00a0 Scientists, epidemiologists, doctors and other medical professionals should be the leaders of any sensible national response to the potential crisis.\u00a0 The real hoax is the idea that political leaders can effectively address the spread of disease.\u00a0 They cannot.\u00a0 Real leaders would step back to allow the people who know about microbes and the methods of disease transmission to be in the forefront.\u00a0 Responsible political leaders are humble enough to know what they don’t know and powerful enough to use their authority to direct adequate public funding to scientific research and medical preparedness.\u00a0 Sadly, our political leaders of recent fame have disparaged and diminished science, undermined research and under-funded preparedness.\u00a0 Reports are that it will take up to a year to develop an effective vaccine for Coronavirus, so we are on the front lines with soap and tissues — actually, sometimes the simplest and most old-fashioned of remedies are the best.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control provide the primary guidance to the American public on health threats.\u00a0 We expect to learn more from the CDC as the situation evolves, but for now, the guidance on their website<\/a> is useful.\u00a0 At Trinity, we are monitoring the CDC and DC Board of Health for additional information, and will share what we know with the campus community as guidance becomes available.\u00a0 For now, as always, we ask that everyone follow the basic rules for community health, including frequent hand washing, using tissues when you sneeze or cough, and staying home if you are sick.\u00a0 Trinity Health Services<\/a> is available to assist anyone who needs personal attention.<\/p>\n

Trinity Campus Messages About Coronavirus<\/h2><\/span>\n

On March 2, 2020, President McGuire and Health Services Director Dr. Jacqueline Newsome-Williams issued these messages to the campus community:<\/p>\n

From President Patricia McGuire:<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3><\/span>\n

Dear students and colleagues,<\/p>\n

As the global community faces the threat of a pandemic caused by the spread of Covid-19, known as Coronavirus, I want you to know what Trinity is doing to ensure your health and safety.\u00a0 We are following the situation closely and in touch with health authorities to be sure we have the most updated information and guidance.<\/p>\n

Dr. Jacqueline Newsome-Williams is Trinity\u2019s Director of Health Services and she is our chief liaison with external agencies responsible for public health guidance, including the Centers for Disease Control and the D.C. Department of Health.\u00a0 She is in touch with the other health services directors of the colleges and universities in the Washington region.\u00a0 She will be writing to you shortly with additional information, and she has posted guidance from the CDC<\/a> on the Trinity Health Services website.<\/p>\n

As of this writing, there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in D.C. or the Washington region.\u00a0 We are not aware of any cases affecting members of Trinity families, but if you have such information, please let Dr. Newsome-Williams know.<\/p>\n

While knowledge about this virus and treatment are evolving in the U.S., following are standard practices that everyone should always follow to mitigate the spread of viruses and other germs within the community (list from the Centers for Disease Control):<\/p>\n

CDC recommends individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures:<\/strong><\/p>\n