As of about 3:30pm on March 13, the President said in a speech he was issuing an emergency declaration for COVID-19.
March13: Leading Health Groups Urge Trump To Declare Coronavirus A National Emergency. “America’s health care system must be there to help,” wrote the heads of the AMA, the American Hospital Association and the American Nurses Association.
Still no action from the President, though apparently he is weighing the idea. The Diva wonders what the delay is here.
From the Wash Post: Facing Coronavirus Uncertainties, Area Nonprofits Consider Difficult Decisions.
Update: Protecting your NonProfit.
The Diva would appreciate input and articles from readers if you have some constructive instructions on this matter.
From TPM: Why Washington State Is Desperate For Trump To Declare A COVID-19 Emergency
As Washington state grapples with what may be the country’s worst outbreak of novel coronavirus, the absence of a COVID-19 emergency declaration from President Trump has hamstrung its ability to respond to the crisis.
Update on March 11: Coronavirus is a disaster. Why hasn’t FEMA been brought in?“It might be time to put our national disaster agency in charge.”
Another update on March 11: Why no emergency declaration? From Politico: Trump fears emergency declaration would contradict coronavirus message. “Trump is concerned that declaring an emergency would hamper his narrative that the coronavirus is similar to the seasonal flu.”
March 11: From CNN: States and White House consider disaster declaration to deal with coronavirus outbreak.
From NonProfitNewYork: Sample Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan. “This sample business continuity and disaster recovery plan will help an organization outline potential disasters an organization may confront and what to do in case of the disasters.” Cost is $15 for non-members.
Businesses Trying to Establish Coronavirus Mitigation Plans. Nationwide, especially in hardest-hit areas, companies are implementing policies to address employee concerns about exposure and offer options in case the crisis worsens. The number of U.S. cases topped 700 this week.
From the WashPost: Never mind Trump. Coronavirus shows why electing competent state and local officials is vital.
Opinion piece from Patrick Roberts, currently with RAND and formerly with VA Tech.
From Politico, this article re staff at CSIS who prepared a pandemic scenario a year ago. Here are details of that event, which closely resembles what we are dealing with currently re COVID-19.
See: We Predicted a Coronavirus Pandemic. Here’s What Policymakers Could Have Seen Coming. “Last year we ran a disaster scenario shockingly similar to the news now. Here’s what experts realized the world is getting wrong, and how they can fix it.”
From TheHill: How will FEMA work in responding to the coronavirus outbreak?
[Note the author is Michael Brown, infamous as the undersecretary of DHS during the G.W. Bush administration.]
The Diva does not usually share recipes, but if like me you have tried for a week to buy some hand sanitizer here is a chance to prepare your own version.
Homemade Hand Sanitizer Ingredients
2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or ethanol
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
8-10 drops essential oil, optional (such as lavender, vanilla, peppermint, grapefruit)
[ bowl and spoon; funnel; recycled liquid soap or hand sanitizer bottle] Source note.
Update on March 6: From USATODAY: These cleaners kill coronavirus: Lysol, Clorox, Purell products make EPA’s disinfectants list
Global Security Depends on Climate Change Mitigation.
The National Security, Military and Intelligence Panel (NSMIP) of the Center for Climate and Security released a report warning the public of “high-to-catastrophic” threats to domestic and global security originating from climactic changes. Consisting of representatives from national security, military, and intelligence fields, the panel analyzed security impacts of global warming and identified major threats to the U.S. defense, critical infrastructure, and security institutions. Drawing upon the most recent empirical research, the authors determine that “even at scenarios of low warming, each region of the world will face severe risks to national and global security in the next three decades.”
Recovery Diva 