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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts) Mon Mar 9, 2020, 09:12 PM Mar 2020

States, Cities Jump In With Virus Decrees As U.S. Holds Off

California demanded an on-board quarantine for 3,400 passengers and crew on a cruise ship. Ohio scrapped most of a fitness convention. And Austin, Texas, canceled the popular SXSW conference that typically draws 150,000 people.

The actions on coronavirus shows that in the U.S., states and localities take the lead in combating epidemics. Federal authorities follow.

“The state and local public health departments are the leaders in the country on any type of response like this,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters. “We get our information from them. They’re experts. We provide background support. We surge in to help them.”

That’s different from other nations. As examples, Italy restricted movement for a quarter of its citizens, Japan shut schools nationwide, France banned large indoor gatherings, and China isolated an entire province to fight the coronavirus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a 14-day quarantine for all arrivals.

Federal involvement can expand dramatically, though, if a national emergency is declared. Even without a declaration, the secretary of health and human services can establish quarantines, help needy families, and allow medicine to be dispensed without a prescription. A declaration gives the secretary more power: for instance, to award grants. With a presidential declaration, the federal government gains freedom to quickly hire people and distribute food, medicine and supplies.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-09/if-coronavirus-closes-schools-it-won-t-be-the-feds-who-order-it?srnd=politics-vp

4 replies

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States, Cities Jump In With Virus Decrees As U.S. Holds Off (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Mar 2020 OP

"... provide background support..." my ass. pat_k Mar 2020 #1

I'm afraid of US two weeks from now... AlexSFCA Mar 2020 #2

All of these cancellations are going to create a ripple through the economy. smirkymonkey Mar 2020 #3

Honestly, I'm not sure a national emergency declaration would be a good thing with Trump in charge. scarletwoman Mar 2020 #4

pat_k

(9,313 posts)

1. "... provide background support..." my ass.

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 09:23 PM

Mar 2020

Blocking "local" hospitals and labs across the country from testing is "support"?

The CDC's weeks long "monopoly" on testing (or rather lack thereof) and disastrously restrictive testing guidelines tied the hands of local public health departments across the nation.

And you, Mr. HHS, didn't declare a public health crisis until cases started showing up here. What about being proactive? What about seeing the writing on the wall?

And what about prodding the FDA to use its emergency use authority to allow hospitals and labs to go ahead with testing while tests were under FDA review (which didn't happen until Feb 29)? Of course, the FDA Should have done this on their own, but failing that, HHS and CDC should have been demanding action.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213066218

AlexSFCA

(6,139 posts)

2. I'm afraid of US two weeks from now...

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 09:34 PM

Mar 2020

we are a danger to the world. I predict US flights won’t be allowed to land abroad. We can easily have a million infected in 2 months. 19% require critical care, 5% death rate - with everyone insured and paid sick leave mandatory.

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)

3. All of these cancellations are going to create a ripple through the economy.

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 09:56 PM

Mar 2020

Not that I think they are bad. I think it's the right thing to do, but Trump doesn't understand that he can't control this situation and that this virus and it's effects are bigger than he is. There is nothing he can do about it and it's driving him insane. I don't want anyone to suffer, but I have to admit that I feel a certain amount of schadenfreude at watching him squirm.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)

4. Honestly, I'm not sure a national emergency declaration would be a good thing with Trump in charge.

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Mon Mar 9, 2020, 10:08 PM

Mar 2020

I'm afraid he'd do something stupid and/or destructive with the extra power - like appropriating more money for his wall ("sealing the border" ), or arresting journalists ("negative reporting bringing down the Stock Market" ), or some such shit.

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