Hospitals are still in crisis. Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York talked at length about the struggle to get personal protective equipment, ventilators, bag valve masks, and other supplies the hospitals desperately need. In the absence of a federal response, he said, all 50 states are left to bid against each other for the same pool of resources. "It's like being on eBay with 50 other states," he said. And then FEMA swoops in at the end and outbids them all, and nobody wins. Cuomo asked the question that's been on my mind too: What sense does this make? What sense at all? The federal government should be acting as the purchasing agent for everyone, to keep prices low and to ensure supply for all states based on need. Instead, the federal government is leaving states to muddle through on their own, and giving supplies preferentially to states whose governors praise the president personally, while withholding those same supplies from states whose governors (rightfully) criticize the president's response. It's unbelievable, but here we are.
As of today, more than 5,000 people have died from COVID-19 in America. And we're not even close to the peak. Governor Cuomo said today that New York might not peak until the end of April, but even after the peak, people will still be dying in dramatic numbers. By contrast, in his press conference/televised campaign rally, today the president spent time bragging about being "number one on Facebook," whatever that means. His focus is always himself, not the 5,000 families in mourning, not the 200,000 people suffering enough from this disease to have been granted a test, not the health care workers who put their lives on the line every day to care for us. His focus is only himself. As I said, unbelievable, but here we are.
Meanwhile at home, life proceeds. Spring break is over, so the boys had their first elearning day of the week today. Each of them had online meetings with their teachers and classmates throughout the day. It's a lot to keep track of, but thankfully the boys seem to have a pretty good handle on what to do. We had a cursive lesson yesterday, letters n, m, and x. Work was very busy yesterday, and I was so thankful, but then today it was so slow that I worried incessantly about being let go entirely. There's no middle ground anymore.
Tonight my mom regretfully canceled our family Easter celebration. It was the right choice without a doubt, but I know how much it cost her to make it. Every year, it's the most joyous time. People eat good food (outside, when it's nice), and we get to watch all the kids do the egg hunt, and then people fly kites and sit and talk together. It's as relaxed as a big gathering can be, and the sole focus is enjoying each other. The boys are sad too, because Jeffirs Easter is the best holiday (they say, and I agree). For us, Easter is all about love, and this year, the best way to show that love is to stay away. It's as simple — and as devastating — as that.
Nationwide cases: 216,762. Deaths: 5,148.
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