January 28, 2020, the Wall Street Journal published an opinion article by two former top health policy officials within the Trump administration under the headline Act Now to Prevent an American Epidemic. Luciana Borio and Scott Gottlieb laid out a menu of what MUST be done without delay to avert a massive health disaster. The Trump administration gave no consideration, and even most exceedingly awful called the disturbing warning cry as, “Fake News”
We as a nation have failed to manage Coronavirus(COVID-19) to a great extent because of Trump Administration’s absence of approach and vision. Starting with John Bolton who at the helm of the White House National Security Council, began dismantling the team in charge of the pandemic response, firing its leadership and disbanding the team in spring 2018. This reckless act was due to what many experts see as the; “Obama hating syndrome” Everything about Obama legacies has to go regardless of its vital significance.
SHORTAGE OF NURSES, DOCTORS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
The U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) that is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and the need for health care grows. According to the American Association of College of Nursing, the shortage of trained nurses is expected to increase as nursing schools across the country are struggling to expand capacity to meet the rising demand. Now our Nation is under a CoronaVirus (COVID-19) attack, and the demand for trained healthcare professionals is vital for our very survival.
The US was already facing shortages of doctors and nurses even before coronavirus hit.
Trump’s constant anti-immigrant slogans, “Send them back” and its immigration policy has made it more difficult for foreign doctors and nurses to work in the US and go where they’re needed. Doctors now face long wait times for green cards, restrictions on where they can settle geographically, and limitations on where they can practice while they’re waiting for a green card. Nurses, meanwhile, also face long waits for green cards and can’t come to the US under temporary skilled worker visas, especially from countries that are currently banned from entering the US.
As the Trump administration continues to expand his list of banned countries, many experts wonder how he intends to vanquish Coronavirus(COVID-19) without properly trained nurses and the clinical workforce.
As part of an ongoing efforts to secure trained medical personnel, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has already waived licensing requirements to allow graduates of foreign medical schools to contribute to the coronavirus response. These immigrant nurses and trained personnel are being called upon to make sacrifice and work without mask or gloves.
At times like this, we as Americans must recognize that what makes American great is the spirit of sacrifice; the willingness to stand up and the readiness to walk to the bleeding edge, even without a mask or gloves.
These immigrant medical professionals are being called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice and work without masks or gloves. Wearing the “Make America Great Again” hat is not a true test of one’s enthusiasm and love for America.
Author: Osayande Aghaze. US-Experts in Global Policy matters, and Human Rights. He can be reached at Editor@AfroWorldNews.com
