Saving me and myself

We (and many others) have commented frequently that the current PlanFlu essentially leaves local communities on their own. But there is another narrative developing even more extreme. It's every person for his or her self. Forget about helping your neighbor or your neighbor helping you. Get ready to help yourself.

A story from the Orwellian-named World Peace Herald, one of the Moonie media fronts, touts a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., a right wing think tank. At first it seems critical of Bush's flu plan, noting that quarantines aren't likely to stop this disease and the plan gives little guidance as to how to interrupt transmission of the disease:

In any case, some of the most potent weapons against an aggressive outbreak are also the most mundane, the report suggests, like washing hands, covering the mouth when coughing and maybe even chucking some quaint but risky cultural norms like shaking hands.

These common-sense measures should be put to the test this winter when the nation grapples with seasonal flu, [Dr. David] Heyman said. "I would like to challenge the government to see if we can get (illness rates) down just through good hygiene."

He argued that the Bush pandemic-flu plan, which features developing avian-flu vaccines and stockpiling anti-virals -- won't be enough by itself.

Not only does the plan short-change the states in crisis management, it was decidedly frugal on state funding as well, dolling out $100 million to each state for its pandemic arsenal.

But Heyman argued that that amounts to "only pennies" in the face of an adversary that could kill up to 1.8 million people and hospitalize another 10 million. (World Peace Herald)

This isn't bad, really. We've said much the same here. But the payload of the report is in its prescription:

In any case, some of the most potent weapons against an aggressive outbreak are also the most mundane, the report suggests, like washing hands, covering the mouth when coughing and maybe even chucking some quaint but risky cultural norms like shaking hands.

These common-sense measures should be put to the test this winter when the nation grapples with seasonal flu, Heyman said. "I would like to challenge the government to see if we can get (illness rates) down just through good hygiene."

I'm not against teaching good hygienic practices. But I would rather emphasize that responding to epidemic infectious disease requires a community response and cannot be accomplished solely at the individual level. The mantra of individual responsibility is a deeply ideological one (as is the community response solution; experience shows it is also the most effective).

The same line is being pushed by the Secretary for Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt. Here he is on Ted Koppel's Nightline show, November 10:

Koppel: All right, those, those are the issues. And as you correctly point out, I, I raised them early on. What I'm hoping to get from you folks is some answers. So, Secretary Leavitt, just for openers, if people began on a modest basis, not everybody rushing out to their local supermarket and laying in a four week supply of food, but if folks were to start going out and saying, you know, over the next few months, we're going to put in enough food so that if we had to we could stay at home three or four weeks and survive. Is that a silly thing to do or a smart thing to do at this point?

Leavitt: Personal preparedness is an ethic and a virtue that's worth cultivating at every level, no matter what the emergency. A pandemic, a hurricane, a tornado. Any medical or natural disaster, a person would be better off doing that. It doesn't have to be done instantly. But over time, it's a very good thing to do. (no link; hat tip reader "I. Kant")

Yes, it is a good thing to do. But it isn't the only thing to do or even the most effective thing to do. Unfortunately there is little appetite in this administration for encouraging community mobilization and solidarity. Indeed they have made it a hallmark strategy to divide the community and at moments of crisis--notably after 9/11--have pointedly failed to take advantage of people's widespread desire to get involved and to help. Instead we were told we could best contribute by going shopping, getting on an airplane and taking a trip somewhere and letting things "get back to normal" (while at the same time establishing a hideous "new normal").

I'll concede these pronouncements can be read in different ways. I am reading them in a way I think consistent with the administration's and the right wing's ideological interests, their past practices and their hopes for the role of government in the future (i.e., very little role in public service). If you like Bush, you'll disagree with me.

For myself, I took some of their advice already and washed my hands of this gang of incompetent and corrupt thugs who think nothing of torture abroad and turning my community's welfare over to cronies at home.