From the UPI: FEMA says it’s ready for hurricane season with budget boosted by COVID-19 stimulus
As We Enter Hurricane Season
Reply
What If COVID-19 Never Goes Away?
From the Seattle Times: Embracing a new reality: Coronavirus may never go away, even with a vaccine
Consider the public policies and actions that will be needed.
Insights re the Pandemic from Prominent Researcher
Pandemic and Disaster: Insights from Seventy Years of Social Science Disaster Research
Inaugurating the “Disaster Studies” theme of our “Covid-19 and the Social Sciences” series, Kathleen Tierney reflects on how major findings from social science research on disasters can help to contextualize and frame our understanding of the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, she looks at the importance of communication to the influence of social responses in hazardous circumstances, reminding us that society tends toward social solidarity, rather than disorganization and panic, in times of crises. Though many social practices, such as scapegoating, can further tear the fabric of society, disasters reveal and amplify not only inequality and vulnerability, but also potential strength. In moving forward, it will be vital to learn the lessons research on both aspects have to offer.
Weakness in U.S. Disaster Response
From the NY times: Virus Crisis Exposes Cascading Weaknesses in U.S. Disaster Response. Thanks to Jim Dooley for the citation.
We have know for some time that in the event of a hazardous material threat or a health threat/disaster, the use of many older paid and volunteer helpers would be a problem.
Lessons from Past Disasters – from the GAO
From the GAO blog, this excellent article titled The Coronavirus Response: Lessons Learned from The Past
Final Version of CDC Reopening Guidelines – updated twice!!
CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting theCOVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again May 2020. Apparently this 60-page document is the final version but it does not include guidance for houses of worship.
As of May 21: Reopening guidance for churches delayed after White House and CDC disagree
But there are currently no plans to issue guidance for religious institutions, according to three administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss policy decisions.
As of Friday afternoon, May 22: Interim Guidance for Administrators and Leaders of Community- and Faith-Based Organizations to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Note from the Diva: Private sources have provided Guidance on Reopening Faith-Based Organizations — it can can be found on my other site, Disastersandfaith.com
The Economic Impact After Covid-19
Covid-19 Will Expose the Ghosts in the U.S. Economy. Even if they survive the lockdown, many U.S. businesses won’t make it through the reopening.
A Positive Example of National Response to COVID-19 — Australia
From the NY Times: Did the Coronavirus Kill Ideology in Australia? How a government both sectarian and divisive learned (briefly) to become inclusive.
After all of the negative factors in the previous posting, it is nice to see a positive example.
Crisis Exposes Hollowed Out Federal Government
- Opinion Piece from the WashPost: Crisis exposes how America has hollowed out its government
Whether or not you agree with the perspective of the author, it is important to note the many deficiencies of the federal government at the present time that are hindering the response to COVID-19.
- This article analuysis state level issues and problems: California locked down early and took the coronavirus seriously. Why are its cases still rising?
How California finds itself in limbo despite doing many things right. An anaylsis of state level issues and problems.
How States Pay for Natural Disasters
From Pew Trusts: How States Pay for Natural Disasters in an Era of Rising Costs.
A nationwide assessment of budgeting strategies and practices
See this posting by Eric Holdeman, who provides a practitioner’s view of the study.
