WHO – watercress words by Dr Aletha

update February 24, 2023

In his 2023 State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden said,

let’s recognize how far we came in the fight against the pandemic itself.

While the virus is not gone, thanks to the resilience of the American people and the ingenuity of medicine, we’ve broken the COVID grip on us.

COVID deaths are down by 90 percent. We’ve saved millions of lives and opened up our country — we opened our country back up.

And soon, we’ll end the public health emergency.

looking back at COVID-19

On March 11,2021 President Biden addressed the country about the current progress of ending the pandemic. He said

I carry a card in my pocket with the number of Americans who have died from COVID to date. It’s on the back of my schedule. As of now, the total deaths in America: 527,726.
President Biden

He announced we will have enough vaccine for every adult to be vaccinated by the end of May 2021.

Concerning current vaccination progress, we have vaccinated

65% of people over age 65
70% of people over age 70

Concerning schools he said

with the passage of the American Rescue Plan — I thank the House and Senate for passing it — and my…. plan to vaccinate teachers and school staff….. we can accelerate the massive, nationwide effort to reopen our schools safely and meet my goal… of opening the majority of K-8 schools in my first 100 days in office. This is going to be the number one priority of my new Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.
President Biden

Thanks to usnews.com for publishing the complete transcript of his speech at this link.

President Joe Biden on the Coronavirus Pandemic

The United States government and healthcare

Here is a brief review of the healthcare agencies of the United States government.

The President leads the Executive Branch of the government, including all of the departments and agencies headed by the Cabinet members, including the Department of Health and Human Services.

The sitting President heads the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government.

The Department of Health and Human Services ,through the President’s Cabinet secretary, manages the response to COVID-19. Other Cabinet members and their Departments are involved as well.

The agencies most involved in the COVID-19 response include

Health and Human Services-HHS
Federal Emergency Management Agency-FEMA
Centers for Disease Control-CDC
National Institutes of Health-NIH
Federal Drug Administration-FDA
Small Business Administration-SBA
Veterans Administration-VA
Department of Defense -DOD
Treasury Department
State Department

an electron microscope image of the coronavirus — the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for causing COVID-19- photo used with permission, CDC.GOV

December 31, 2019-China reports the coronavirus to WHO-the World Health Organization.

2020-The Biden-Harris Plan

During their campaign for the White House, Mr. Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris posted a 7 point plan to confront and control COVID-19.

2021-National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness

President Biden, Vice President Harris, and their science and healthcare teams developed a plan with 7 goals to end the pandemic and prevent others. You can read the entire 200 page report at the link. Here is a list of the 7 goals with a few of the points of each goal.

1. Restore trust with the American people.

establishes a federal COVID-19 response team to coordinate efforts
regular public briefings led by science experts
track and make data available to the public by the CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO), federal, state and local public health partners, and clinicians in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. CDC is closely monitoring the situation and working 24/7 to provide updates. — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO), federal, state and local public health partners, and clinicians in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. CDC is closely monitoring the situation and working 24/7 to provide updates credit James Gathany, public domain

2.Mount a safe, effective, and comprehensive vaccination campaign.

increase the production of vaccines
give states clearer projections on vaccine availability
partner with states to create more vaccine centers
launch a national campaign to educate and encourage Americans on vaccine

3. Mitigate spread through expanding masking, testing, data, treatments,health care workforce, and clear public health standards.

asking Americans to wear masks for 100 days (note-this adds to any state or local recommendations or mandates on mask use)
require masks on public transportation
the CDC develop guidelines to help schools and businesses to reopen
create programs to develop new treatments for COVID-19

cloth facial coverings to prevent transmission of COVID-19 — Mask use required on airplanes, trains, and other public transportation

4.Immediately expand emergency relief and exercise the Defence Production Act.

increase emergency funding to the states for pandemic costs, including for PPE and use of National Guard
invoke the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of PPE, and testing and vaccination supplies

5. Safely reopen schools, businesses, and travel while protecting workers.

develop a national strategy to reopen most schools within 100 days
federal agencies to issue updated guidance on protection for workers
asks Congress to provide financial aid to schools, universities, and daycares (cost in the billions)

a girl with a large backpack, walking to a school bus

6. Protect those most at risk and advance equity, including across racial, ethnic and rural/urban lines.

establishes an equity task force to address disparities based on race, ethnicity, and geography
create a U.S. Public Health Workforce to help with testing and vaccinations in their communities

Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved [date graphic was accessed], from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health

7. Restore U.S. leadership globally and build better preparedness for future threats.

rejoin the World Health Organization
increase humanitarian aid and support efforts to fight COVID-19 around the world
asks for Congressional support to establish a national center to prepare for future biological threats

2 bandaids crossed on a world globe — photo from the Lightstock collection (affiliate link)

Exploring the HEART of health

By following this blog, you’ll know when I post new pieces about COVID or other infection disease threats and other topics that explore always explore the HEART of health.

Dr Aletha

And this is still good advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases.

update January 7, 2021

Donald J. Trump served as U.S. President from January 2017 through January 2021. Posts about him will remain on this blog for historical purposes. As indicated when first published, they do not imply indorsement of him, his party, his policies, or actions.

The year 2020 looked to be historic even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, police involved shootings, riots, and Black Lives Matter protests. The USA will choose the next president, impacting the economy, security, defense, education, and healthcare.

In two previous posts I reviewed the healthcare plans of each candidate-Republican incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger former Vice President Joe Biden.

In this and the next post I review statements about the United States’ coronavirus pandemic response from the candidates’ official campaign websites. I encourage you to read the entire documents yourself.

This post will review Mr. Trump’s page. You may want to review the previous post now, or after reading this one.

This post was last updated July 13, 2020.

Donald Trump’s Healthcare Achievements

As President, Mr. Trump heads the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government.

The Department of Health and Human Services, headed by Cabinet Member Alex Azar manages the response to COVID-19. Other Cabinet members and their Departments are involved as well.

The agencies most involved in the COVID-19 response include

Health and Human Services-HHS
Federal Emergency Management Agency-FEMA
Centers for Disease Control-CDC
National Institutes of Health-NIH
Federal Drug Administration-FDA
Small Business Administration-SBA
Veterans Administration-VA
Department of Defense -DOD
Treasury Department
State Department

President Trump established a Coronavirus Task Force which advises him on the medical and scientific facts, research, and treatment of COVID-19.Vice President Mike Pence chairs the task force.

In this review I’m highlighting Mr. Trump’s statements and actions, not those attributed to his “Administration”.

TIMELINE: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S DECISIVE ACTIONS TO COMBAT THE CORONAVIRUS

While Democrats play politics, the Trump Administration is working tirelessly to combat the coronavirus and provide economic relief to affected Americans:

President Trump is taking concrete actions to rapidly expand testing and guarantee any American can get tested for coronavirus for free

President Trump is taking decisive action to make sure U.S hospitals have the resources they need to mobilize against the coronavirus.

President Trump is taking critical steps to shore up the U.S. economy and help Americans economically impacted by the coronavirus.

December 31, 2019-China reports the coronavirus to WHO-the World Health Organization.

January 6, 2020- the CDC issued a level 1 travel notice for Wuhan China, established a coronavirus incident management system for information about the virus, and two weeks later activated its emergency operations center.

January 27- The White House Coronavirus Task Force started meeting to monitor the virus and provide updates to the President. The CDC issued a level lll travel health notice to avoid all nonessential travel to China.

January 30-WHO declared coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, a global health emergency. (not in the timeline as written)

On January 31, the Trump Administration declared the coronavirus a public health emergency, announced Chinese travel restrictions, and suspended entry into the United States for foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting the coronavirus.

February 4- In his State of the Union Address, Mr Trump vowed to “take all necessary steps” to protect Americans from the coronavirus.

February 7- He told reporters that the CDC is working with China on the coronavirus.

February 24- The Trump Administration requested $2.5 billion from Congress to combat the coronavirus spread. On March 6 he signed an $48.3 billion bill to provide funds to federal, state, and local agencies, and $500 million in Medicare telehealth waivers. He requested a payroll tax cut bill from Congress.

He also

Requested low interest small business loans by the SBA

Deferred tax payments to the Treasury Department

Signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act for free testing and paid sick leave

Moved tax day from April 15 to July 15

Signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security-CARES-Act

March 31- Trump issued “30 Days To Slow The Spread” guidance to mitigate the outbreak of coronavirus.

April 2-Mr. Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to direct 3M to produce more N95 respirator masks and to help several companies-ResMed, General Electric, Medtronic- get the supplies needed to make ventilators.

April 3-Mr. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum blocking the export of N95 and other respirator masks, surgical masks, PPE gloves, and surgical gloves to ensure they are available in the U.S.; he directed FEMA to send Ochsner ( Medical Center in Louisiana) surgical gowns.

April 6- In a phone call, he discussed potential coronavirus therapies with CEOs of pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

April 12- The United States, Russia, and OPEC agreed to cut oil production and stabilize the oil market, a deal that Mr.Trump “brokered.”

April 14-President Trump halted funding to WHO, while a review of its “mismanagement” of the coronavirus outbreak is conducted. (quotation marks added)

April 16-He announced new, phased “opening up America again” guidelines, spoke with the Opening Up America Again Congressional group, and spoke with the Governors about re-opening.

By April 17, the President had declared major disaster declarations for all states and territories, a first in U.S. history

April 22- Mr. Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation suspending immigration to the U.S. for 60 days due to “the impact of foreign workers on the labor market, in an environment of high unemployment.”

By April 27, President Trump had spoken with many foreign leaders, including those of India, Italy, China, Turkey, Russia, Kenya, South Africa, Poland, Pakistan, Qatar, Ecuador, Britain, and France.

He also spoke to Republican Senators, former Vice President Joe Biden, and the state Governors.

He attended meetings with multiple business leaders including those in health insurance, tourism, retail, wholesale, supply chain distributors,and banking.

He spoke by phone with owners of groceries, restaurants, and other small businesses.

He also spoke to leaders in mental health, faith, tribal affairs, and nonprofits, including the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

He met with energy execs from Phillis 66, Devon, Occidental, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and other companies to discuss coronavirus’ effect on the energy industry.

Mr. Trump spoke to the commissioners of major league sports organizations-MLB, NFL, and NBA, recognizing the teams’ and players’ work in their communities to combat coronavirus.

He met with military families, coronavirus survivors, and front line healthcare workers.

April 24- The President signed the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP) and Health Care Enhancement Act into law

$323 billion-for the PPP

$75 billion-for health care providers

$25 billion- for coronavirus testing

April 24-President Trump spoke with three other Presidents.

April 24: “Vice President Pence & members of the coronavirus held a conference call with Governors to discuss increasing testing capacity.”

On April 27, the White House coronavirus task force appeared in a Rose Garden event. The topic: “Opening Up America Again.” (from a report by CNBC)

Exploring the HEART of health

By following this blog, you’ll know when I post the piece reviewing the COVID-19 pandemic response plans of Democrat Presidential candidate Joe Biden.