Since the outbreak of the coronavirus Senator Tom Cotton (R-AL) has been the only American politician who has been consistently correct about this outbreak, from its origins to the proper response. I am proud that I knew and worked with the senator and his staff when he was a member of the US House of Representatives. I think he is a great leader and his leadership here will (and never should) be forgotten.
The time has come for extraordinary measures to combat the Chinese coronavirus. What seems extreme today will seem obvious tomorrow.
Two weeks ago, Italians were merrily sipping wine and coffee at bars and restaurants. Today, elderly Italians are denied care at hospitals and instead administered last rites because their health-care system is collapsing.
I understand these extraordinary measures will impose many hardships, but if we take them now, we can shorten the risk to Americans’ health and the economic hardships.
I’m working on legislation to get cash stipends to affected workers and their families so they can buy food and pay the bills during this crisis, plus help to small and mid-sized businesses weather the storm. Now is the time to avoid Italy’s fate. Here are some needful steps:
1) Stop all but essential activity. Call it what you want—a shutdown, quarantine, curfew, whatever. But only absolutely essential work should continue: groceries, pharmacies, supply transport, health care, electricity, water, sanitation, etc. Everyone else should stay home.
2) Shut down all but essential government agencies & services. At federal, state, and local levels, officials working to arrest the virus's spread and mitigate its economic harm (and other essential services like food aid and VA care) must continue working. No one else should.
3) The military must prepare for defense support of civil authorities, especially at hospitals, nursing homes, etc., & do whatever is needed to increase our capacity to treat patients. Our military plans for exactly this kind of contingency. Our doctors and nurses may need them.
As Dr. Anthony Fauci said yesterday, “we’ll be thankful that we overreacted” if we arrest the spread of the virus, preserve hospital capacity, and save lives.
Brandon J. Weichert is a geopolitical analyst and author. His book, "Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower" is due out in Fall 2020 from Republic Book Publishers and addresses the need for a U.S. Space Force, the threats the United States faces from rising technological powers, such as China, in space, and where the United States should be moving in terms of space defense, exploration, and development. On top of that, Brandon is the founder and manager of The Weichert Report: World News Done Right, where he delivers unconventional reportage on some of the world's most important news stories. He is also a contributing editor at American Greatness and The American Spectator, and he contributes to Real Clear Public Affairs, Real Clear World, and Real Clear Defense regularly. Brandon's work on national security has also been republished in Yahoo! News, the New York Post, The Spectator US, and The National Interest. Brandon is a frequent guest on The John Batchelor Show where he comments on Chinese technology and trade policies. He travels the country briefing audiences from the military and tech investment community on matters related to technology and national security. Brandon is a recovering Congressional staffer who holds an M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs from the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. and he can be followed on Twitter @WeTheBrandon. Please be sure to follow The Weichert Report's Facebook page @theweichertreport, too. For any press or media inquiries email him at theweichertreport@gmail.com.
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