Episode 50 Show Notes- The Truth About Coronavirus & Those Exploiting It
Please take 30 seconds to write a review on iTunes. All reviews are appreciated and don’t forget to subscribe to The P.A.S. Report Podcast so that you never miss an episode.
Episode Description
It’s time to stop the madness and put the Coronavirus in perspective. Now that we are inundated with endless coverage of COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, we have to ask- does the coverage match the threat? The news media have sensationalized the threat and have created a sense of fear and panic that is both unnecessary and unwarranted. Even worse, there are some that have chosen to weaponize the public health emergency for their own political gain. Utilizing his background in Emergency Management, Professor Giordano brings some sanity to the conversation.
Don’t forget to subscribe to The P.A.S. Report so that you never miss an episode, especially since I may be dropping a bonus episode once I go through the Super Tuesday numbers to discuss the state of the 2020 Presidential Race.
P.A.S. Report Listeners Get 10% Off at Design It Yourself Gift Baskets! Use Code: PAS
*PA Strategies, LLC. earns a small commission when you make a purchase through any affiliate links on this website and within this post.
Intro
Welcome to another episode of The P.A.S. Report Podcast. This is your host Nick Giordano and I want to thank you for tuning in. I hope you’re having a great week.
I have to say, I am disgusted by the coverage of COVID-19/Coronavirus. The media is doing the public a huge disservice by sensationalizing the virus, and they are creating a real sense of fear and panic. With a background in Emergency Management, fear and panic only worsen the situation, and I am here to explain the threat the virus poses, as well as what should be done.
While this is a public health emergency, it is important to put things in perspective. I’m going to break this episode down into two parts. The first part will focus on the threat the Coronavirus poses to the United States and the rest of the world. The second part, I want to examine how there are some who are trying to weaponize the public health emergency for their own political gain. Remember, it was Rahm Emmanuel who stated, “you can’t let a serious crisis go to waste.”
While exploited the virus may be politically beneficial, at what cost do those want to gain power? The fact that there are some who would exploit this crisis to the detriment of the United States is repulsive.
We are going to discuss all this today, but before I begin, if you want to see the show notes go to thepasreport.com. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter.
Professor Giordano’s Emergency Management Qualifications
Just so everyone is aware, I have several years’ experience in emergency management. Prior to teaching full-time, I was a Senior Emergency Management Planner for several years where I was involved in consulting federal, state and local agencies. I have written many emergency operations plans and conducted dozens of training exercises, from tabletops to full-scale exercises.
I also worked for the NYS Office of Emergency Management (OEM) within the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). My work included regional catastrophic planning where I would develop plans for worse case scenarios. The theory goes if you are prepared for the worst, you will be prepared for anything. I also was involved in developing and conducting training exercises. Finally, I also responded to real-world events including Super Storm Sandy and the 2012-2013 flu epidemic on the continental United States where nearly 34 million influenza cases were reported, resulting in 571,000 hospital-related visits, and 43,000 flu-related deaths. (CDC)
Current Coronavirus numbers
With the nonstop coverage of the Coronavirus, let’s take a look at the numbers and put some of these things in perspective. Be advised that these are the latest numbers at the recording of this podcast so they can and will change. In a world of 7.53-billion people, here’s what we know (Worldometer):
- 92,321 people have been infected by the Coronavirus
- 3,137 people have died by the virus
So, taking a look at the latest numbers, .0012% of the world’s population has been infected with the Coronavirus and .00004% of the world’s population has died from the virus.
Even if we say the numbers are 20% lower than they should be because of underreporting by third world countries, it is still a relatively small number of people.
If we break it down further looking country by country, we see most of the cases and deaths are in China. (Worldometer)
- China has 80,152 cases and 2,945 people have died
- South Korea has 5,186 cases and 34 people have died
- Iran has 2,336 cases with 77 deaths
- Italy has 2,036 cases and 52 deaths
Compare that to the United States where we have 103 reported cases and 6 deaths.
I am not a scientist, and I don’t pretend to know how the virus spreads, is transmitted, or how deadly the virus really is. These are really important things to know and that’s why we need to take extreme caution.
Perspective is key
Putting it further in perspective the countries with the largest death toll by percentage are China and Iran, where China has a 3.59% of those infected dies, and Iran 5.52% rate of death. Now let me ask you, what do you really know about the Chinese healthcare system or the Iranian healthcare system? Where would you rather be treated for an illness, China, Iran or the United States?
Let’s be honest, the United States has one of the most advanced, if not the most advanced, healthcare systems in the world. We are seeing the high rates in China and Iran because both healthcare systems are subpar. In addition, and a question nobody is asking, China is the most polluted country in the world. Given the fact that this is a respiratory illness, is China’s death toll higher than it should be due to the poor air quality?
Let’s put the numbers further in perspective. Here are the numbers for the last five years of your run-of-the-mill flu outbreaks. (CDC)
- 2014-2015 flu- about 30-million infected, 590,000 hospitalizations, & 51,376 deaths
- 2015-2016 flu- about 23-million infected, 276,198 hospitalizations, & 22,705 deaths
- 2016-2017 flu- about 29-million infected, 496,912 hospitalizations, & 38,230 deaths
- 2017-2018 flu- about 44-million infected, 808,129 hospitalizations, & 61,099 deaths
- 2018-2019 flu- about 35-million infected, 490,561 hospitalizations, & 34,157 deaths
For the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC is estimating between 32-million and 45-million people will be infected with the flu requiring anywhere from 310,000-560,000 hospitalizations and result in 18,000-46,000 deaths. (CDC)
It’s important to note that the number of deaths is overwhelmingly in the 65+ age group.
What we know and don’t know
We don’t yet know how infectious the Coronavirus really is. As of right now, it appears to be very infectious given its long incubation period where someone may not be eliciting the obvious symptoms.
We also don’t really know how the origins of the virus. Some say it was in a food marketplace where people buy exotic animals to eat. Others are saying that it is from a bio lab in Wuhan, China. Some are trying to dismiss the idea that the virus came from a bio lab, but it is a legitimate question and we need to push China for answers. China is one of the most secretive governments in the world, and we cannot dismiss the idea that this is a lab-created virus. That is not to say that the Chinese released this virus intentionally because that doesn’t make sense either.
Their economy was sluggish to begin with, and now they will almost certainly have a contraction in their economy. In fact, it is my belief that the communist government is weaker than it has ever been in its 70-year history. Accidents happen, and if it did come from a Chinese bio lab, it was most likely because a lapse in procedure or an employee contracted the virus.
However, it’s also important to realize, that similar to the flu-virus, people can take the same precautions.
The vast majority of people who contract the Coronavirus will not require hospitalization, and the symptoms will be relatively mild.
I can put you at ease, and say with confidence, that from everything I am seeing, this is not the global pandemic that wipes out 2/3rds of human beings. This isn’t like the movie 28 days. The only constant is the idiocy of the media.
Why I am not concerned about the Coronavirus
While I am monitoring the situation, I am not that concerned here in the United States. I am not rushing out to buy endless food supplies, face masks, hazmat suits, or anything outside my normal emergency preparedness routine. As I tell my students, when they see me walk in with a facemask, that’s when they need to be concerned. I should scare them and walk in with full hazmat gear on. I wonder how many of them will panic.
I have worked on and developed several pandemic plans, as well as strategic national stockpile plans. I have developed Bioterrorism programs, not to say this is a bioterror incident, but the logic is similar.
In all these engagements, I have worked with emergency management and public officials from a variety of agencies and departments through all levels of government. Many of the people I worked with are extraordinarily competent. Many are the best of the best. These people know what to do in a public health emergency and they are damn good at their jobs.
Will mistakes be made? Sure. No response ever goes exactly according to the plans, but I have no doubt that they will be minimized. I can assure you that public health and emergency management officials are already coordinating and collaborating on response efforts. While everyone is looking at the CDC, and I understand why, people must remember, that the response is local, and the local officials will play the key role as they are on the front lines.
In order to get an accurate picture of how the virus is spreading, one agency should be reporting the numbers. Basically, the local health department should report the numbers at the end of the day to the state health departments. The state health departments should then report the numbers directly to the CDC and the CDC should release the numbers daily.
Since the CDC has become the face of the Coronavirus, they should be holding two press briefings a day, and ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. This will prevent the media hyperbole and fearmongering, and I will get into the outrageous media coverage and the demented politicians later because they need to be held accountable. Let the public health and emergency management officials do their jobs and we will be fine.
So far only two people have died from the Coronavirus in the United States. One was in the 50s and another in their 70s. Both suffered from health ailments prior to contracting Coronavirus. The fact is people will get sick and the old and the young are the most vulnerable populations. We must be sure to help this population from spreading the virus. However, this is no different than any other infectious virus. These populations are always the most vulnerable because either their immune systems aren’t fully developed if they are too young or their immune systems are declining with age. If healthy 20 or 30-something year old’s were dying, that would be much more alarming and raise several red flags.
What I do fear
While I am not concerned about the Coronavirus, it doesn’t mean my analysis won’t change. As more information comes in, I will continue to reevaluate the situation. The most important thing to do is to maintain situational awareness.
What I do fear are supply-chain continuity issues and an economic hit. The factories in China have had to shut down, and they are slowly coming back online and ramping up. The U.S. economy is firing on all cylinders, and this is the thing that can slow it down and potentially plunge us into a recession.
I am particularly worried about the auto parts industry considering most goods are shipped using trucking, and if trucks go down, and there is a delay on getting the parts for 2-3 weeks, that can wreak havoc on our supply chain effectively torpedoing our economy. And sadly, there are some that would love for that to happen given our current political climate.
In addition, the more panic we create and talk about the economy slowing or contracting, it’s almost as if we are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. If people stop traveling, the airlines will be impacted, the hotels, the tourism industry, small businesses in local communities, etc.
I also worry about 3rd world countries who lack the healthcare infrastructure to effectively tackle this virus. If this virus is easily transmitted, it is only a matter of time before it hits countries that lack any infrastructure or capabilities to be able to respond effectively, and we should help where possible.
Lessons learned
After this public health emergency, an after-action review will be taken to see where our surveillance and response measures failed. We should take the lessons learned and develop actionable measures in order to prepare for the next pandemic. If the Coronavirus is not as severe as I believe it is, then it gave us a golden opportunity to take public health emergency preparedness much more seriously. Sooner or later, a deadly pandemic will arrive, and we must be ready.
We also need to reevaluate supply-chain continuity. For decades, corporations have told us that sending most manufacturing to China is not a threat to the United States. Yet, the Coronavirus illustrates that’s not the case and relying on other countries to manufacture most of our products, highlights this deficiency. We need to start manufacturing hubs here in the United States particularly when it comes to essential needs like pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, auto parts and other necessities vital to our economic interests.
Those using the Coronavirus for their own gain
Now it’s time to bring up the stuff that’s really burning me up. First, I want to take the media to task for their largely irresponsible coverage. Now, I am not blaming all of the media, but many have engaged in fearmongering, while others have used the coverage for more nefarious purposes.
Fear is a motivator for people to tune into the news. The more sensational the story becomes, the better the ratings. Understand that there is a profit motive for the media because of the more viewers, the more advertising revenue they raise. Also, and this is something I said in previous episodes, 90% of the media is controlled by six companies.
Many in the media are exaggerating and exploiting the situation. If the media reported that the regular influenza is far more rampant, widespread and that you are far more likely to die from regular influenza, do you think viewers would pay attention to the Coronavirus? The fear and panic are not helpful. People are running out and buying facemasks and other personal protective equipment, which can create unnecessary shortages of supplies, including those that may be of life-sustaining importance. In addition, these shortages can impact the public health officials who are on the frontlines combating this virus.
I saw the same thing during Hurricane Sandy. I was working the overnights in the New York City Emergency Operations Center. On my way home a few days in, I needed gas, but I figured I would go home first, sleep a little before my next shift started. On the way home, the news was starting to report about gas shortages. I laughed to myself because before leaving, I just came from a meeting about fuel supplies. Basically, we were not concerned at that point because as gas stations started running out of gas, we would be bringing the gas stations that didn’t have power back online.
Using the Coronavirus to score political points
What really gets me annoyed is the people that are using the Coronavirus to score political points simply because they hate the president so much. I know the left will say, “I’m so offended at that accusation,” but all you have to do is watch the endless parade of political pundits providing dumb analysis and adding zero value to the conversation.
And for those on the left that are insulted, remember what your idol Bill Maher and the media said.
Play Clip
Do I think the left wants people to die, no? However, I don’t think they care about people suffering if it means the end of the Trump administration.
When President Trump first announced that he was stopping incoming flights from China, he was denounced as a racist and xenophobe. In fact, Presidential candidate Joe Biden said, “This is no time for Donald Trump’s record of hysteria and xenophobia — hysterical xenophobia — and fearmongering.”
A CNN story warned, “the US coronavirus travel ban could backfire” and have the effect of “stigmatizing countries and ethnicities.”
Then there are those that are just flat out lying suggesting that President Trump cut the CDC’s budget when in reality the CDC’s increased from $7.2 billion dollars to $7.7 billion dollars. While President Trump had proposed a cut, Congress rejected it and increased funding, and the President signed the bill increasing funding.
The New York Times even declared it the “Trumpvirus.” The Washington Post reported it as “Trump’s Katrina.”
CNN blasted President Trump’s Coronavirus task force because it “lacked diversity.”
The media went wall-to-wall saying that President Trump called the Coronavirus a hoax, when in reality he was talking about the Democrats politicizing the Coronavirus and comparing it to how they tried to bring him down with Russia, Stormy, Ukraine, tax returns, impeachment, and now Coronavirus. And if you go on Snopes, which is supposed to be a “reliable” fact-checking site, and search did President Trump refer to the Coronavirus as a hoax, Snopes gives it a mixed rating. Meanwhile, when you scroll down, it clearly said: “Trump did not call the Coronavirus a hoax.”
How low can these people sink? I know politics, and I’m not going to lie, it is smart politics to do this, but coming from journalists, this should be unacceptable. The so-called news media needs to just be honest and admit they are biased.
Closing
No response is ever going to be perfect, and certain mistakes will be made. Perhaps one of the mistakes the administration made was that when they stopped flights from China, which was a smart move, they thought they were trying to prevent the virus from coming into the United States. What it seems they may not have taken into account is that the virus already reached U.S. shores.
However, as I said earlier, the public health and emergency management officials are damn good at their jobs, and they know what they are doing. I have full faith and confidence. We have the best system in the world. Knock off the political nonsense and let these people do what they do best. The administration has been out there day in and day out. We will get through this.
Also, let’s use this as a lesson to better strengthen preparedness measures so that when the next public health emergency happens, our response will be even better.
As always if there is a topic or issue you would like me to focus on, send an email to podcast@pasreport.com. Take a moment and write a review, and don’t forget to share this episode with others.
Own Your FREEDOM, Your HEALTH, Your WELLNESS
Peace of mind in a box - keep a Medical Emergency Kit in your medicine cabinet
Get 10% off your order Use code PAS at checkout
Thank you for joining us, stay safe, and I’ll be back next week.
The P.A.S. Report wants to hear from you. Send your feedback to podcast@pasreport.com. Please leave a 5-star rating and write a review on Apple Podcast.
Please share this episode with others & on social media.
*PA Strategies, LLC. earns a commission when you make a purchase through any affiliate links on this website and within this post.
Follow Nicholas Giordano
