Key Agencies are Crippled and Unable to Stop COVID-19 Epidemic in U.S.

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From Politico: Trump Broke the Agencies That Were Supposed To Stop the Covid-19 Epidemic. The government agencies designed to protect us are riddled with vacancies and temporary officials. No wonder we’re facing a catastrophe. An excerpt:

Trump is obviously not responsible for the appearance of the novel coronavirus—but he is responsible for the government’s spiraling failure to respond appropriately in a timely manner. He has ignored the hiring practices, protocols, norms and expertise that would have given him and the federal government a better shot at defeating Covid-19. Three years into his administration and with a Republican-controlled Senate ready to move nominees through to confirmation, he didn’t build the national leadership we needed. That inescapable fact is Donald Trump’s fault.

The “next 9/11” is happening right now because Trump ignored the lessons of the last one.

 

 

Ongoing Confusion re Federal Leadership

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From CNN: ‘No one really knows who’s in charge’: States navigate federal agencies amid crisis

The wide range of officials and entities involved in the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has fueled confusion over who exactly is in charge of fulfilling the dire needs of hospitals nationwide — and how supplies in high demand will ultimately be distributed.

Nearly three weeks since taking over the federal operations response, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has enlisted help across agencies and industries to respond to an emergency of unprecedented magnitude. The vast scope of the response, as well as the involvement of the White House, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and the Pentagon, has at times perplexed governors and lawmakers desperate for equipment for their states to treat coronavirus patients.

“FEMA is tasked with figuring out what areas need different resources. Is it FEMA? Is it the White House? Is it HHS?” a congressional aide told CNN. “No one really knows who’s in charge… who’s making decisions.”

Response Apps for Business

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From BusinessWire: ServiceNow Releases Four Emergency Response Apps to Help Customers Navigate COVID-19 Crisis Management. Company partners with Washington State Department of Health to share emergency operations app with all public sector customers at no charge.

The Diva does not have the requisite background to evaluate these apps, but they seem worthwhile. She welcomes comments and a review by readers.

Analyses of COVID-10 Response at National Level

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From the WashPost, some history: America was unprepared for a major crisis. Again. Political Reckoning: The first in a series exploring the political dynamics surrounding the coronavirus crisis.

The U.S. was beset by denial and dysfunction as the coronavirus raged. From the Oval Office to the CDC, political and institutional failures cascaded through the system and opportunities to mitigate the pandemic were lost.

Will the Stimulus Work?

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From Politico: Does the Trump Administration Have the Talent To Make the Stimulus Work? As the New Deal shows us, it takes expertise, professionalism and skill to execute massive government programs—qualities the White House lacks.  Some excerpts:

Unlike FDR, who vastly expanded state capacity, Trump has waged war on the federal government, leaving vast numbers of key roles unfilled, bullying and hollowing out the ranks of the nonpartisan civil service and populating his White House and Cabinet with men and women of little qualification. FDR hired capable pros—people with decades of experience in law, social policy, economics and other fields. Trump’s closest advisers are his son-in-law, who inherited a real estate company, and his daughter, who before entering public service operated a fashion line. One of the top deputies at the Office of Presidential Personnel—a key office that selects, vets and ushers through the clearance and confirmation processes top administration officials—is a 23-year-old college senior.

Trump’s task is in some ways harder than the one FDR faced in 1935: The economic downswing is more immediate, brought on by a disease pandemic. Yet there is little in the administration’s track record to suggest it is staffed to meet the challenge.

Questioning the Role of Jared Kushner (updated)

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April 4: Political cartoon

Update on April 3. This opinion piece by Michele Goldberg of the NY Times makes the point that Kushner’s role is not only unusual, but dangerous. See: Jared Kushner Is Going to Get Us All Killed. Trump’s son-in-law has no business running the coronavirus response.

Also April 3, from WashPost: Why is Jared Kushner in charge of anything?’  Trump’s son-in-law sparks outcry, confusion after coronavirus briefing debut

Update on April 2. From the NYTimes: Kushner Puts Himself in Middle of White House’s Chaotic Coronavirus Response. President Trump’s son-in-law has become a central player in the administration’s effort to curb the pandemic. But critics say he is part of the problem.

From Politico this rather surprising account of a new, private-sector group at work at FEMA: Behind the scenes, Kushner takes charge of coronavirus response. Trump’s son-in-law sets up shop at FEMA as his portfolio balloons to include manufacturing, supplies and long-term planning.