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Does a Dept. of Pandemics Sound Odd? Homeland Security Once Did, Too Does a Dept. of Pandemics Sound Odd? Homeland Security Once Did, Too
(4 days later)
WASHINGTON — Exactly one month after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, two senior senators proposed the creation of an entirely new government department that would pull together the diverse, often competitive federal agencies whose lack of communication and coordination left the nation exposed to deadly terrorism on American soil. It became the Department of Homeland Security.WASHINGTON — Exactly one month after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, two senior senators proposed the creation of an entirely new government department that would pull together the diverse, often competitive federal agencies whose lack of communication and coordination left the nation exposed to deadly terrorism on American soil. It became the Department of Homeland Security.
After a bungled response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was reorganized and elevated to cabinet-level under President Bill Clinton to give it more standing and influence. After World War II in 1945, President Harry S. Truman proposed the formation of the Defense Department to eliminate infighting, waste and duplication in military operations.After a bungled response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was reorganized and elevated to cabinet-level under President Bill Clinton to give it more standing and influence. After World War II in 1945, President Harry S. Truman proposed the formation of the Defense Department to eliminate infighting, waste and duplication in military operations.
The United States has historically responded to major crises by closely examining how the government performed to identify any failures or weaknesses that were exposed, and then instituting substantial changes to try to repair them — or at least to insulate itself from systemic breakdowns in the future.The United States has historically responded to major crises by closely examining how the government performed to identify any failures or weaknesses that were exposed, and then instituting substantial changes to try to repair them — or at least to insulate itself from systemic breakdowns in the future.
The coronavirus pandemic ravaging the nation and the world is likely to be no exception.The coronavirus pandemic ravaging the nation and the world is likely to be no exception.
Lawmakers, government officials and other experts are already pondering what could have been done differently to hasten the reaction to the arrival of the virus, guard against the shortages in medical equipment and dysfunction in testing that hampered the response, improve the halting and disjointed effort to corral the disease, and spare the mammoth expense of averting a total economic collapse.Lawmakers, government officials and other experts are already pondering what could have been done differently to hasten the reaction to the arrival of the virus, guard against the shortages in medical equipment and dysfunction in testing that hampered the response, improve the halting and disjointed effort to corral the disease, and spare the mammoth expense of averting a total economic collapse.
“I don’t think there is any doubt that there will be a massive effort to reorganize government in the aftermath of Covid-19,” said Tom Daschle, the former Democratic senator from South Dakota and majority leader during the Sept. 11 attacks and their immediate aftermath.“I don’t think there is any doubt that there will be a massive effort to reorganize government in the aftermath of Covid-19,” said Tom Daschle, the former Democratic senator from South Dakota and majority leader during the Sept. 11 attacks and their immediate aftermath.
“This has had a far greater impact than 9/11 had,” said Mr. Daschle, who is also a member of the independent Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. “But like 9/11, we were not prepared.”“This has had a far greater impact than 9/11 had,” said Mr. Daschle, who is also a member of the independent Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. “But like 9/11, we were not prepared.”
How any changes unfold — and whether the impetus will come from Congress, the White House or even outside forces — remains to be seen. House Democrats are already pushing legislation to create a commission similar to one established after Sept. 11 that would review government actions, outline lessons learned and make recommendations on any overhaul.How any changes unfold — and whether the impetus will come from Congress, the White House or even outside forces — remains to be seen. House Democrats are already pushing legislation to create a commission similar to one established after Sept. 11 that would review government actions, outline lessons learned and make recommendations on any overhaul.
The fate of such changes is likely to depend in large part on who is in power after November. Party leaders would no doubt approach the question differently based on their own views of the role of government and its level of responsibility.The fate of such changes is likely to depend in large part on who is in power after November. Party leaders would no doubt approach the question differently based on their own views of the role of government and its level of responsibility.
The Trump administration, like the George W. Bush administration in 2001, could resist calls for a significant transformation, viewing them as tacit criticism of its handling of the crisis rather than an attempt to better prepare for a recurrence. Already, President Trump has slammed Democrats’ plans to form a select committee that would monitor his administration’s response to the novel coronavirus, dismissing it as a partisan “witch hunt.”The Trump administration, like the George W. Bush administration in 2001, could resist calls for a significant transformation, viewing them as tacit criticism of its handling of the crisis rather than an attempt to better prepare for a recurrence. Already, President Trump has slammed Democrats’ plans to form a select committee that would monitor his administration’s response to the novel coronavirus, dismissing it as a partisan “witch hunt.”
But it is hard to imagine any situation in the coming months in which congressional and executive branch personnel would take a deep look at the government response to the pandemic and decide that nothing needs to change. No one believes the nation could withstand another such blow to public health and the economy.But it is hard to imagine any situation in the coming months in which congressional and executive branch personnel would take a deep look at the government response to the pandemic and decide that nothing needs to change. No one believes the nation could withstand another such blow to public health and the economy.
“Once this is under control, we have to think about this, and not just put it off and say it is a once-in-every-100-years event,” said Representative Peter King, Republican of New York, who was one of the early chairmen of the House Homeland Security Committee after it was created in response to the rise of terrorism risks. “Let’s face it: It has happened, and indications are it could happen again soon with the way the world is, the way travel is.”“Once this is under control, we have to think about this, and not just put it off and say it is a once-in-every-100-years event,” said Representative Peter King, Republican of New York, who was one of the early chairmen of the House Homeland Security Committee after it was created in response to the rise of terrorism risks. “Let’s face it: It has happened, and indications are it could happen again soon with the way the world is, the way travel is.”
Changes of the magnitude that might be coming are never easy, as the bitter fight over the creation of the Department of Homeland Security illustrated. Washington agencies are aggressive fiefs that notoriously protect their own turf, and that parochialism extends to the cabinet agencies and congressional committees that oversee and derive their clout from them. Critics are all but certain to denounce an unnecessary growth of government.Changes of the magnitude that might be coming are never easy, as the bitter fight over the creation of the Department of Homeland Security illustrated. Washington agencies are aggressive fiefs that notoriously protect their own turf, and that parochialism extends to the cabinet agencies and congressional committees that oversee and derive their clout from them. Critics are all but certain to denounce an unnecessary growth of government.
Still, top lawmakers say some review and rethinking is essential.Still, top lawmakers say some review and rethinking is essential.
“I would think some structural changes would come out of this,” said Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, who led what was then known as the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee when homeland security oversight was added to its portfolio after the Sept. 11 attacks. “We need some sort of coordinating structure.”“I would think some structural changes would come out of this,” said Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, who led what was then known as the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee when homeland security oversight was added to its portfolio after the Sept. 11 attacks. “We need some sort of coordinating structure.”
But what shape does that take? Does it amount to some iteration of a new Department of Pandemic Prevention and Response in a major consolidation of responsibility? Or are less drastic changes in store, such as a clearer delineation of responsibilities among agencies to identify who is in charge of pinpointing a looming public health threat and empowered to ensure that the country is prepared, including with sufficient equipment and medical personnel?But what shape does that take? Does it amount to some iteration of a new Department of Pandemic Prevention and Response in a major consolidation of responsibility? Or are less drastic changes in store, such as a clearer delineation of responsibilities among agencies to identify who is in charge of pinpointing a looming public health threat and empowered to ensure that the country is prepared, including with sufficient equipment and medical personnel?
What is the future role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has been pushed somewhat into the background in the coronavirus crisis, while a White House task force has been placed in command? Where does the intelligence community fit in? Why did some states perform better than others in the early days of the spread? Should FEMA, usually a responder to natural disasters, be the dominant force?What is the future role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has been pushed somewhat into the background in the coronavirus crisis, while a White House task force has been placed in command? Where does the intelligence community fit in? Why did some states perform better than others in the early days of the spread? Should FEMA, usually a responder to natural disasters, be the dominant force?
Rahm Emanuel, the former top White House official, congressman and Chicago mayor, is calling for a multipronged approach that includes a sophisticated early-warning system to detect possible threats, establishment of a new way to organize a ready medical force and an aggressive stockpiling of medical supplies.Rahm Emanuel, the former top White House official, congressman and Chicago mayor, is calling for a multipronged approach that includes a sophisticated early-warning system to detect possible threats, establishment of a new way to organize a ready medical force and an aggressive stockpiling of medical supplies.
“Clearly, you can’t have a diffusion of responsibilities,” Mr. Emanuel said. “There has to be one place for all accountability.”“Clearly, you can’t have a diffusion of responsibilities,” Mr. Emanuel said. “There has to be one place for all accountability.”
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The bioterrorism commission on which Mr. Daschle sits — along with Joseph I. Lieberman, who spearheaded the legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security, and Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the agency — has made more than 30 recommendations for readying the nation for such an event. Proposals like those, which include developing a national biodefense strategy, may now be only a starting point.The bioterrorism commission on which Mr. Daschle sits — along with Joseph I. Lieberman, who spearheaded the legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security, and Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the agency — has made more than 30 recommendations for readying the nation for such an event. Proposals like those, which include developing a national biodefense strategy, may now be only a starting point.
“My guess is that there will be an interest in going well beyond what we have recommended to date,” he said. “One of the laments often articulated in the biodefense community is that we spend less than one half of one aircraft carrier on all forms of biodefense annually — a paltry sum. That, too, will change.”“My guess is that there will be an interest in going well beyond what we have recommended to date,” he said. “One of the laments often articulated in the biodefense community is that we spend less than one half of one aircraft carrier on all forms of biodefense annually — a paltry sum. That, too, will change.”
The change is likely to be messy. When Mr. Lieberman and Arlen Specter, a Republican senator from Pennsylvania, first proposed the creation of a homeland security agency on Oct. 11, 2001, the response was mixed. Many congressional Republicans saw it as an unnecessary expansion of government bureaucracy, and the existing intelligence agencies fiercely fought giving up their autonomy. It stalled.The change is likely to be messy. When Mr. Lieberman and Arlen Specter, a Republican senator from Pennsylvania, first proposed the creation of a homeland security agency on Oct. 11, 2001, the response was mixed. Many congressional Republicans saw it as an unnecessary expansion of government bureaucracy, and the existing intelligence agencies fiercely fought giving up their autonomy. It stalled.
By the next year, the Bush White House was pushing the reorganization, and accusing Democrats of standing in the way and placing demands for labor protections for agency workers above national security. It became a central issue in the 2002 elections and helped Republicans win the Senate. Disagreement over the changes continues to this day.By the next year, the Bush White House was pushing the reorganization, and accusing Democrats of standing in the way and placing demands for labor protections for agency workers above national security. It became a central issue in the 2002 elections and helped Republicans win the Senate. Disagreement over the changes continues to this day.
But another overhaul is almost certain given the effect of the coronavirus.But another overhaul is almost certain given the effect of the coronavirus.
“Americans will need answers on how our government can work better to prevent a similar crisis from happening again,” said Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, who leads the House Homeland Security Committee.“Americans will need answers on how our government can work better to prevent a similar crisis from happening again,” said Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, who leads the House Homeland Security Committee.