Leadership miscues will cost lives during COVID-19 pandemic | Letter to the editor

As an immunologist physician I am mystified how a segment of the general public actually believes that our president and governor are doing a good job handling the Covid-19 pandemic. The denial, piecemeal response and lack of empathy for the U.S. population are appalling and clearly risk the lives of many.

The mistakes and refusal to listen to public health officials will result in many deaths, especially in Florida where we have a high percentage of elderly, the most vulnerable Does our president really think the virus (initially deemed a hoax by him) will just go away when the weather is warmer so we don’t need a national response? It’s warm in Florida and in the Southern Hemisphere but yet the number of cases and deaths here and in Australia are on a dreadful trajectory.

Our governor finally instituted a stay-at-home order but with notable exceptions. Does our governor believe that if you go to a religious service you will be protected? As a physician, we always try to help and to do no harm. It is a shame our leaders didn’t take this oath!

Social distancing and hygiene won’t completely flatten the curve. Strong government leadership and example to assure that we all follow appropriate behavior and their increased efforts to supply our health care providers the tools to stay healthy and treat the sick are critical.

Thomas Casale

Palmetto

This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 1:08 PM with the headline "Leadership miscues will cost lives during COVID-19 pandemic | Letter to the editor."