In virus crisis, Beshear’s calm, steady leadership stands out. Especially compared to some.
Here’s what we know so far about life in the time of coronavirus: For most of us, this is the most severe health crisis we’ve ever lived through and it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
It gives daily life a slightly unreal quality; the little problems that used to send our blood pressure soaring seem so unimportant next to what could be coming around the corner, whether it’s being sent home from work or our children being sent home from school. Do we get that this is serious now that the SEC tournament has been canceled and NCAA basketball tournament closed to spectators? Is that serious enough?
For perspective, we can be thankful for the calm and steady leadership of Gov. Andy Beshear, who has been giving daily briefings on cases and directing important ways to “flatten the curve,” such as shutting down churches and limiting visitors to nursing homes. His briefings include experts, such as Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack and Crystal Miller, the health department director from Harrison County, where the virus first appeared.
He’s helping Kentucky fight the virus in the most effective ways, with information and best practices: The constant reminder of hand-washing, social distancing, staying away from crowds, particularly for the elderly.
Beshear’s perspective seemed particularly strong Wednesday, when his predecessor tweeted something inane and insane about Chicken Little, as though we were overreacting about a virus predicted to infect a good chunk of our country and the world. Matt Bevin seems pathologically incapable of not saying stupid things, but maybe he does it to make us extra grateful for Beshear.
Beshear’s information stream also stands in contrast to our president, who per usual, views COVID-19 as a political operative out to get him personally. His administration’s insistence on messaging over testing may well have led to a faster spread of the virus. His national address Wednesday evening, in which he banned travel from the EU in a strange monotone, only sent shaky markets hurtling further downward. He may be a very stable genius, but he doesn’t seem to understand much about the spread of disease or what national leaders are supposed to do in times of crisis.
Others have their own perspective. Helen Evans, 99, remembers the polio epidemic, which crested in 1952 before a vaccine was finally approved. It attacked the opposite end from coronavirus, infecting children with terrible paralysis and death.
“They closed pools and other places where young people went,” said Evans, who still lives on her own. “I was living in Lexington as a young married person and had small children so I was very concerned. We were scared of it. We were told to wash our hands, and be careful when we sneezed.
“We didn’t know where it was coming from .... it was into the unknown.”
Evans doesn’t think the constant barrage of news from social media is much help. In the old days, she and her husband subscribed to the Herald and Leader. Information twice a day was plenty.
“Be safe and smart,” she said. “You can be calm, safe and listen and not expose yourself unnecessarily. You have to use common sense. Maybe have three days of food on hand.”
Every hour brings new developments. Thursday afternoon, Mayor Linda Gorton announced that she was recommending the cancellation of all public events. Gorton, a nurse turned politician, has also been calm, transparent and, frankly, brave —would you want to face hordes of angry Comic Con fans? (As of Thursday afternoon, it was postponed, not canceled.)
For those of us who don’t meet any of the risk factors, of age or medical problems, there’s plenty we can do besides wash our hands over and over again. We can check on our elderly neighbors and see if we can run some errands so they don’t have to go out in public. We can give blood at depleted blood banks without any risk of coronavirus. We can donate to food banks. We can keep our panic down to a dull roar. We can try to keep some much-needed perspective.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 1:08 PM.
