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Those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it. While not always true, there's a lot of truth in that saying.
Yes!
While some find it impossible to think how the US
should have handled this, others, including leading scientists and even Senators within the US Government, have a very different take.
From yesterday's Senate hearing - you can watch it for yourself:
https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/covid-19-safely-getting-back-to-work-and-back-to-school0:53:23 Adm. Giriou (HHS, basically in charge of testing) states (proudly) that the US has now more than doubled the number of tests (per capita) conducted in S. Korea.
Note that the population of the US is ~6.36 TIMES the population of S. Korea. Note also that the virus showed up in SK and the US at the same time.
2:27.60 Senator Kaine (D) accurately notes that in March, SK had conducted 40X the amount of tests as the US.
3:44.47 Senator Romney (R) accurately notes that by March 5, SK had conducted 140,000 tests while the US had conducted 2000.
Now, the projection is that the US will be testing 40-50 MILLION / month by Sept (0:56:48) or 25-30 MILLION / month when school opens up in the fall (
1:07:00) with the qualification, IF needed (
2:33.45).
One can dwell on the differences between the two countries, but to do so only to rationalize is an error, in my view.
Part of learning from history is understanding what has and has not happened in the present. Yes, there are those that would say that it is better to
not focus on "mistakes" made in the past and look forward. I think we should look at the past and look at the present BEFORE we look ahead.
It does not have to be a political party, us against them, issue. You do not have to be an MD, an immunologist or a scientist, but you do have to pay attention and you have to be willing to try to be a critical thinker. But if we (in the US) do not face up to what has happened and the failing (if not inexcusable bungling) of what has happened, we will be making this much worse.
SK New Cases
US New Cases