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NPR Report: 5 Key Facts Not Explained in White House COVID-19 Projections
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/01/824744490/5-key-facts-the-white-house-isnt-saying-about-their-covid-19-projections Directions: Read the NPR article above and use the information to support your answers for one of the questions below. You do not have to answer all five questions, but all five of these questions will fuel the online discussion. You are encouraged to discuss several of these questions throughout the week. Post your responses to the blog page and respond to other blogs as they are entered by your classmates. This will serve as our class conversation assignment for the week. Drop in your thoughts as they occur, and keep updated with the news each day. Contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 1) The University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) have not considered the president's social distancing guidelines in their projections. They believe those guidelines are not reliable due to the various state policies. What is your opinion on the matter? 2) Are you more concerned with the first wave of COVID-19, the medical supplies, the medical personnel, or the second wave of COVID-19? Explain why. 3) States are currently leading the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. How has that approach been problematic to American citizens? 4) What do want to see from our National Government, and how do you assess the job of our local government during this crisis? 5) Who do you put your confidence in times like this, and why?
40 Comments
Jacob Denk
4/2/2020 07:11:15 pm
I am concerned with everything with this virus. We don’t have a cure for it. The medical staff are working around the clock to treat people and they unable to see their families. We don’t have enough ventilators or hospital beds for the people who will contract the virus. This means that doctors are going to have to make decisions on who lives and who dies. I have a feeling this is also going to cripple our economy, much worse than the recession we had a decade ago.
Mr. A
4/2/2020 11:12:16 pm
You're right, Jacob. This is a serious issue we do not have an answer for at the current moment. What is very alarming is there are people not taking this crisis seriously. That is evident from the article, and will ultimately cost lives and careers. I'm relieved you are concerned about this, because that means you are going to be safe. Great start to the conversation.
Jacob Denk
4/3/2020 08:51:51 am
It’s really sad that some people are selfish enough to push everybody aside, regardless of what’s going on, and do what they want. Before the NBA closed, that one basketball player who was joking about the virus ended up testing positive for it a few days later. I think people need to wake up and understand how serious this is. Sure it’s no fun staying in your house, but if it’s for your own safety and health, why should anybody have a problem with that?
daniel Garner
4/9/2020 01:14:45 pm
I comply agree it selfish for them to do that
Haley Marshall
4/7/2020 12:24:03 pm
I think we should pay attention of all of the virus but the first wave I believe is worse because no one knew how to deal with it we didn't have enough supplies, testing kits, or testing machines to tell if you're positive or not, and we don't have enough people in the medical field helping or people with a medical degree that's exactly why we got a giant warning on our phones because we don't have enough medical personnel. I think the second wave will be a lot better because we already know what it's like, were trying to get more supplies we have more medical personnel than we did before and we've started on a vaccine. We are adapting to the changes we have to more people are being careful and people aren't freaking out like its the apocalypse because we know more than we did before.
Mr. A
4/8/2020 02:57:12 pm
The testing kits need to be made available, and we need to supply our medical teams to even have a chance at handling this crisis. I want to share your optimism that we will address the second wave better, but first I want to see our federal government get their act together with the supply chain and a clear plan for all the states to follow. I appreciate your input!
Joshua Gandee
4/7/2020 01:24:24 pm
Question 5 answer: I honestly put my confidence in my parents in times like this because my parents are not worried so much about this and that they all know what they are doing in this dark time of the Coronavirus. Even though Trumps issuing boundary orders I still feel like my parents are more trustworthy than the president any day, merely my own opinion.
Mr. A
4/8/2020 03:00:40 pm
It is nice when we can trust in our families to make the wise decisions. I just wish we could get the facts from the policy makers during these times. Otherwise, it makes everything confusing and the crisis gets worse. It is a good idea to trust in yourselves and support each other during these difficult times.
Ashley Gotsch
4/7/2020 04:11:06 pm
I am more concerned about the second wave of this virus. It could come in more sudden than this first wave because many people who have the virus can be spreading it without knowing or having symptoms. The slope could be way steeper on the second wave because of this. The shortages of supplies will be even worse then creating devastating death tolls. I'm just worried that the restrictions will be lifted too soon and people will have the wrong idea that everything is safe when it is not. I also worry about misinformation especially to people who don't understand that everything they read is not always true. I worry about my grandparents and hope people have respect for others and the people most vulnerable to the virus.
Mr. A
4/8/2020 03:05:01 pm
That is exactly right. The gap with the projections is wide because we don't have adequate testing, supplies, or clear federal guidelines. The moment the numbers let up could lead to a sudden spike because people will assume the danger is over. It is kind of like the eye of a hurricane. The moment people see hope they let their guards down and get hit with the other side. I really hope people remain cautious until we have a legitimate vaccine to counter this virus.
Jessica Nelson
4/7/2020 07:50:12 pm
I want to see our National Government actually taking charge and responsibility for the mistakes that they have made in the past and continue to make. The admin claimed it was a hoax and now they are claiming that they “knew about it the whole time.” If you did in fact know about it, then why didn’t you make a bigger deal when it started? The admin wasn’t doing anything to help assure the people so it was definitely local government that had to take charge. Not all governors were as quick and effective to take charge like Pritzker and some states aren't even on lockdown which is a very big issue. Obviously each situation is different from state to state so the governor will have to alter whatever National Government recommends they should do. In the future I would like better communication between governors and the National Admin, I want the admin saying the whole truth and not lying on national live tv, and I want them to be working as efficiently as they can to figure this problem out.
Mr. A
4/8/2020 03:18:33 pm
I am very proud of the work we are seeing at a local and state level. The essential workers are amazing, and our communities are pulling together the best they can. However, the federal government's inaction and missteps have cost people their lives,and others their livelihoods. It is unconscionable to stand at a podium and spread false narratives and misinformation during a pandemic. The only way to get past this is to embrace science and listen to our medical personnel. I appreciate the great points you made on these topics! 4/7/2020 11:59:14 pm
I'm more concerned with the first COVID-19 wave because it was "unexpected" and medical professionals weren't geared correctly to handle this pandemic for a extended period of time. Also medical personal are exhausted right now because they need everyone they can get. In the second wave I feel like well have the experience to know how to properly distribute and stock supplies and distribute our medical personal and not over exhaust them. And the civilians will know how to properly follow social distancing orders and not spread the virus more than it already is.
Mr. A
4/8/2020 03:21:50 pm
That second wave could be disastrous if we don't see some legitimate action from our federal government. I do think local communities are handling these issues responsibly, but the failure from up top has been monumental. If we don't see a break in this, and do not stock up for another barrage, then the second wave could be even more catastrophic than the first. Thanks for contributing, Luke. I hope we see progress soon.
evan piccolo
4/8/2020 07:54:01 pm
To answer question #5, I think my confidence lies with the doctors such as Dr. Fauci. They are the experts here with this virus, not the president. The doctors should be the only ones setting guidelines to the america people being they know what is best to protect us. It is great the president is listening to the doctors for the most part and is trying to make sure the american people follow the guidelines like social distancing to keep themselves safe and prevent this virus from getting worse. I believe it's common sense to follow this unless people want to see this get worse and prolong isolation. I also believe these guidelines should be mandatory nationwide. Not state by state to prevent this from spreading and killing more people. The entire country should have been shut down from the very beginning of this. We wouldn't be seeing this virus get the best of us if we had. Lastly, in terms of funding to help keep the economy moving, I praise our president for the stimulus support. He's doing what he knows best in terms of the economy and I have trust in him for that.
Mr. A
4/9/2020 09:50:58 am
I appreciate the input, Evan. I agree with your concerns and feel that we need a more unified federal response to the crisis. Viruses don't care about borders, and we need to all use our common sense to avoid more danger. However, I do want our leaders to listen to the doctors more. I don't consider it a "blame game" if we are making mistakes now, and that is what I have been witnessing at these Coronavirus Task Force Briefings. I'm glad we saw some movement on the economic stimulus response, but the administration has been inconsistent with an approach to deal with the crisis. We need actual supplies and firm policy instead of the bragging and false bravado. Thanks for contributing on the subject. Take care.
Evan Piccolo
4/8/2020 08:06:51 pm
I would also like to add that we shouldn't be playing a blame game now. It's besides the fact. The important thing is to not lose this war against our virtual enemy Covid 19. China started this and was very secretive about it and if our government really knew the threat, ofcourse they would have got on top of this sooner. We aren't monsters and it would be nice for people to start having more faith and positivity in our government. After all, they have their families living here too dealing with this.
Alexis Vlamis
4/8/2020 10:09:21 pm
I am more concerned about the second wave of this virus because most people are not informed and may not realize the probability of the second wave. So I have a feeling that the vast majority will hear that the first wave had hit its peak, and they will get excited and start trying to go back to normal without realizing the second wave in the wake of the first. People will not be prepared and it may take more lives than the first wave. This personally scares me, how uninformed people are, and not just on covid-19, but so many more things. I really have my parents to thank for always pushing me to stay infromed and up to date on the things going on around me, and I wish that other people could have had that same guidance.
Mr. A
4/9/2020 09:56:25 am
I agree, Alexis. This virus will remain dangerous until we have a proven vaccine at hospitals. I'm glad your family is reliable and staying informed about the crisis. We have had some problems with some family members downplaying the crisis, so we had to explain that we just couldn't see them until this whole thing passes completely. Our actions could have severe consequences for others for a significant period of time. I'm hopeful our country is resilient enough to face the facts on that and be prepared for the second wave as well.
Haley Marshall
4/9/2020 10:59:45 am
#3: I think the leader US government should be helping out more rather than the states just doing it all with the way the states have gone about it they just told us to stay inside haven't reinforced it in anyway whatsoever and when someone is told to do something 9 times out of 10 they don't want to do it so they don't that's why everyone still goes out doing a half quarantine. They also haven't released a lot of information and the information that they have released has only made the public go into a frenzy and freak out like the apocalypse is about to happen people are buying unnecessary amount of things and useless things because we don't know how long we are going to be stuck in this quarantine . People are buy an abundance of foods, toiletries, and guns. People who have never even shot a gun let alone even held one are buying them. The government doesn't have it together to help the public that is trying to support them and they need to start trying a little harder to support us with some good communication and some regulations.
Mr. A
4/10/2020 02:58:40 pm
You make a lot of good points here. The lack of control from a federal level, and the inability to communicate a clear message has a lot of people freaking out. The run on supplies is pretty frustrating, but that is likely going to continue as long as the federal action is inconsistent. Let's hope they get their act together within the month.
Brenna
4/9/2020 01:26:35 pm
I am the most concerned for the second wave of COVID-19. I think that by the time it comes, everyone will be emotionally and physically drained from the first wave, leaving people more vulnerable. Since this first wave has been so intense, I think people will be eager to resume their normal lives, risking more exposure to the virus. This pandemic poses a threat to everyone, everywhere, which is terrifying to think about. Especially since this is far from over.
Mr. A
4/10/2020 03:01:02 pm
I do see a problem with resiliency. People are willing to contribute and face a problem directly, but it is a huge mental drain to stay sheltered. I just don't know if people will maintain boundaries after the first wave, and if we fall back into poor habits before the second wave arrives. Good points, Brenna.
Brandon S
4/9/2020 02:35:53 pm
3. I think states aren't doing enough to keep people inside. They also aren't doing a great job of protecting their workers fighting COVID-19, but there isn't much that they can do about it. They aren't getting enough supplies for the continuous flood of sick people.
Mr. A
4/10/2020 03:05:28 pm
I do think there isn't enough being done to influence good decisions. For instance, I think several fines could go a long way toward correcting behaviors. Protecting workers should be at the forefront of the battle. Our medical profession has been ignored for years, and if they are ignored we can all expect to be overwhelmed with sickness for a very long time. It is also frustrating to see essential workers being asked to show up and put their lives at risk when customers continue to disregard safety measures. Again, it would be nice to see people held accountable for selfish and dangerous actions.
Miranda Wagner
4/10/2020 12:50:26 pm
Question 2: Personally, I am more concerned about the second wave. I feel that when the first wave is "over" or considered to be done, the people will be so concerned with getting life back to "normal". They'll get back to work, take shopping trips, go out to eat, disregard personal space to a degree. I feel as if safety measures and precautions could be forgotten about which would lead to an even bigger outbreak than the first wave.
Mr. A
4/10/2020 03:10:27 pm
I do wonder if we will maintain these safety precautions or if society slips back into the pre-virus behaviors. It doesn't take a lot to trigger another spike. We really have to focus on accountability and respect, and if our society doesn't recognize that we are in for some serious hurt.
Bella Brugger
4/20/2020 11:52:54 am
In regards to question 2, I am more worried about the second wave the first wave we have dealt with, well at least attempted to deal with. The issue is that as soon as they release the public from quarantine people are going to immediately visit everyone possible because they missed their friends and family, they missed restaurants and shopping so as soon as everything is back open everything is going to be crazy busy, causing another outbreak and we will go right back to this conflict we are dealing with right now.
Mr. A
4/22/2020 12:37:50 pm
I definitely see this problem on the horizon, especially with the protesters defying the social distancing guidelines. People will have to demonstrate common sense and restraint when we return to the public, or we will have a giant second wave to battle.
adamary raygoza
4/20/2020 09:11:06 pm
#3, The approach to fighting COVID-19 has been problematic to U.S. citizens because it has caused thousands of people to lose their jobs in addition it has also caused schools to shut down. Since schools shut down it has affected lots of students since not everyone is able to learn online. Due to the fact that the government has ordered all non essential business to close down then it drives people into panic mode buying everything they can that now grocery stores are out of essential items leaving people who desperately need it without them. The approach of social distancing also isn't being enforced as well as it could be. When two or more people hangout they all get each other sick and when they go home they will get their families sick and then they will get others sick and so on and so on.
Mr. A
4/22/2020 12:42:30 pm
That is the problem in a nutshell. We have a free and open society, but locking it all down is extremely difficult. Also, our capitalism sometimes taps into the greed of people in major ways. We see the worst in people during a crisis, but thankfully we also see the best. I'm hopeful the majority stay focused and safely indoors during the shutdown so we can approach this more calmly in the late fall when we face a second wave.
Alexis Vlamis
4/23/2020 08:44:26 pm
In times like this, I put my confidence in the doctors, the scientists, and the people who are dealing with this firsthand. I know that they are working tirelessly to gain information and details about what they are dealing with and have facts and evidence behind the information that they reveal to the public.
Kaitlin S
4/24/2020 01:34:01 pm
I trust the doctors, scientists, and the government. I know that they are working hard to find more information and new details about this pandemic and make this situation easier to understand and hopefully go away soon.
Logan Shaddick
5/1/2020 01:07:17 pm
#2, I'm more concerned about the medical personnel because my mom works at a hospital and nobody is going to the hospital to get checked out, so some of the doctors aren't going to work. #5 In times like this I put my trust in the president, or what health Physicians say to do, because I have a feeling that they know what they are talking about, and how to prevent me from getting the virus.
josh
5/8/2020 05:49:59 pm
#3, I feel very strongly we may be approaching things wrong. As our U.S. Representative for our district, said ¨His Stay at Home order may have made sense early on, but keeping it in effect statewide is neither sustainable nor reasonable. Yes, there are still hot spots in our state -- like Chicago-- but there are large parts of Illinois that have seen few or no cases of COVID-19.¨ There is factual evidence that the mainstream media is blowing this out of proportion. hospitals are lining their checkbooks by saying ¨John doe´s reason for death is covid-19¨ therefore the cdc had revised their death count from nearly 65,000 to 37,000. There is plenty of factual evidence not being fueled by fear to show that people are going overboard. The unconstitutional stay at home order that should have been removed on april 19th after his emergency powers were over. Our economy is being crippled and not once have I ever heard of quarantining the healthy. I understand flattening the curve but it's about time to let it be. This is america the land of the free, and home of the brave.
Mr. A
5/9/2020 02:11:51 pm
I can definitely empathize with the frustration of loss on many levels, Josh. The thing that sticks out to me is the medical field's concern. I spoke with many doctors and nurses directly on this subject, and all of them are insistent that we are not in a good place to handle this crisis, yet. I do agree that environment plays a huge part in this, and not every region should be treated identically. Densely populated cities dependent on mass transit are going to struggle until viable treatments or vaccines are produced. However, rural areas need to be careful with their approach as well because they have limited care facilities. It is clear that enclosed locations are going to be a problem for the foreseeable future. I think it is up to the individual to wear a mask, socialize with others, or re-enter stores. However, I also believe the government should set up basic safety guidelines for industries to follow. Then, the industries should enforce those guidelines to remain open. People do have the right to return to public areas, but our rights may not infringe on the rights of others to be healthy. What makes us free is our ability to unite and face down a threat together. Otherwise, we run the risk of losing the very thing we cherish. I sincerely appreciate the points you brought up and value your input. Thanks for contributing, and take care!
Maddy Cronin
5/12/2020 04:48:06 am
Question 2: I'm more concerned with the second wave because some people are going to think life is going to go back to normal and everyone going to go out and even more people will get it the second time around. But I also think the second time around we will be more ready for it with medical supplies and personnel.
Miranda Briggs
5/12/2020 07:39:15 pm
#2. In the beginning the first wave was concerning because everyone was in panic mode and there was not much known about the corona virus and was still being discovered. Know one knew what medical treatments would help and we were soon on a low with everything. But I am now more worried about the second wave because people are gonna think that they can just start up their daily lives again as normal and I think that people are gonna forget to take precautions and it will then spread badly again. The only good thing is that we more a lot more now than before so hopefully will be able to help more.
austin h Pargman
5/14/2020 12:19:31 pm
i chose number five because if we are being honest there isn't really one person we should trust because its up to the stat governor to tell us news and give us information and do what is best for the state and he isn't doing a very good job. and we also need to trust in our president to make the right choices to make sure that the united states can recover and survive this pandemic. 10/24/2022 05:54:05 am
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