The uncertainty of the COVID 19 situation weighs heavily on the minds of families and individuals across Canada and the US. The good news though, at least for Canada, is that help is on the way. The US, however, is implementing little in the way of support for their citizens, which in turn affects people’s ability to stay home and therefore, the ability to stop the spread of COVID 19. The fact that the US has done this not only affects the world at large, but it has also had some profound impacts for Canada.
The United state’s response has been appallingly slow and inadequate. While they are donating to non-profits for the crisis, they have failed to put any kind of emergency monetary assistance plan in place for their citizens. While Canada has implemented CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) in order to allow citizens who need to stay home to do so, the US has done little to help its citizens.
Because most services are privatized in the states, it is up to you to get the sick leave you require from your work and insurance. The system of capitalism is failing the states very badly, in this time of crisis. The US is one of the largest economies in the world, and so if their economy crashes, the economies of other countries will follow.
As a result of their inadequate response to the crisis, the United States is now scrambling. President Donald Trump issued a statement that attempted to stop shipping 3M masks oversees. This is a ridiculous response since world leaders should be coming together right now and working together to compile resources instead of doubling down on measures that will not help anyone in the long run. Countries need to work together in order to get through this crisis, instead of pulling away from each other and shying away from helping one and other.
Currently, there are over 400,000 cases of COVID 19 in the USA and about 17000 cases in Canada. This massive difference can be attributed for the most part to Canada’s relatively quick response and the US’s lack thereof. In the short history of this virus’ existence, countries such as Taiwan and Singapore who have responded quickly and effectively and have targeted the problem proactively have not only suffered the least loss of life but have been able to keep afloat economically.
There also seems to be much confusion in both the US and Canada about who is responsible for regulating things such as social distancing and where you can get tested. The federal governments and the states and provinces of both countries keep going back and forth on who is responsible for placing regulations on what. It just goes to show how much new information is coming out each day now, and furthers people’s anxiety about the uncertainty of things. It also goes to show just how unprepared both countries were to face a crisis of this type and magnitude.
While Canada has not been the quickest to respond and still has to be vigilant, the government is taking steps in the right direction to prevent further complications. The states, however, absolutely needs to do more to stop the spread of the virus to try to avoid the catastrophe that is already unfolding. If the states does not act quickly, it will see it’s economy crash and many more dead.
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