The United States has been through many viruses that seemed deadly and uncontrollable, yet we survived them all without Martial Law being announced. The Swine Flu, in 2009 and 2010, was responsible for infecting 60 million people, hospitalizing approximately 300,000 people. President Obama was not concerned until the death toll hit 1,000. Of that number, 100 were children. The media was basically quiet and did nothing but sing Obama’s praises over his last minute jump into the fray. However, we had no forced closures, mandated isolation or economic disaster.
The CDC estimates that from October 1, 2019 to March 7, 2020, there have been 36,000,000 to 51,000,000 (million) flu illnesses, 17,000,000 to 24,000,000 (million) medical visits, 370,00-670,000 flu hospitalizations and 22,000-55,000 flu deaths. However, even with these unbelievable numbers, no media panic ensued.
As of today, the CDC has reported on the total cases of COVID-19 at 3,487. Total deaths from the virus are currently at 68. Of the cases in the US, 46 were from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. The result? A loss in over 3 trillion dollars on the Stockmarket, negatively effecting everyday Americans IRAs and 401ks. The loss of paychecks and freedom of movement. The closure of all schools public and private and the shut down of all colleges and universities, the destruction of an untold number of small businesses, the shattering of the hospitality business and the airlines, empty grocery store shelves and the worst? No toilet paper to be found.
Let’s look at Hong Kong. The protestors took to the streets in June of 2019 against plans to allow extradition to China. On October 1, China was celebrating 70 years of the Communist Party rule and as a result, Hong Kong experienced one of its most violent days of protests. An 18 year old was shot and the Chinese government banned protesters from wearing face masks. Protests supporting the Hong Kong movement, waving the American flag, spread rapidly across the globe. Chinese president, Xi Jinping announced that any attempt to divide China would end in “bodies smashed and bones ground to powder.” In December, the world discovered that China was dealing with an epidemic; the Coronavirus. The media interest in Hong Kong protestors disappeared almost overnight as quarantines were enforced. China claimed the virus came from an open market, yet many believe the deadly virus may have originated in a laboratory in Wuhan linked to a biological weapons program.
It seems the only people losing in this horrific virus infested, political and economic mess, are the American people. We sit at home, in isolation, fearful for our lives, unable to work, unable to pay the bills and hope that when this fiasco is over that we have jobs to return to and any money left in the bank for retirement.
Who are the winners in this pandemic?
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