Mid-March Updates: US in Crisis in 2020
March 23, 2020
by Julie Ann Racino, Cornell and Syracuse University Alumni
In the midst of a global pandemic, according the World Health Organization (WHO) and World News Reports (e.g., CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS), New York State today is under mandatory "stay at home" orders. After the evacuation of the city of Wuhan in China, we were startled last week at the reports from Italy and the daily death rates of the aging population while pharmaceutical developments to combat the coronavirus are underway. Governor Cuomo of New York State was reporting that infection rates (test positive) could be as high as 40-80% as testing proceeds "for those with symptoms" ("incubation period").
The US, which is not "Communist" China or international organizations such as WHO, has developed a long history post-911 of lockdowns, surveillaince, bodily searches, travel bans, and an embrace of DNA testing for "parent identification", police and homeland security-led policies, mass arrests and prosecutions, and a new harshness in the justice system. Apart from the coronavirus, we already have had helmeted workers (unverified) with lights shining into homes at night, our churches we built taken from us, police taking elders from homes and families, "new online management", and "armed forces leading the way".
Now, next month, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) was planning its Annual Conference in Anaheim, California and of course, Disney has been closed due to the bans on mass gatherings, now "over 10". Mayor DeBlasio of New York City last night indicated that they expect the situation to worsen in April and May 2020. While told there is no need to "rush on banks or stores", the stock markets for over a week and a half "have crashed"; Jeff Bezos of amazon.com this morning described on Microsoft News the "domino effect" that could devastate the real estate markets.
Local Case Study
The shelves have been emptied of basic goods from paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, kleenex) to in our area, Italian spaghettis (pasta) and sauces! I of course, became more and more concerned at cart of 50 tuna fish (elderly man), less concerned at the $2.50 boxes of Ramen off the shelves, and began looking curiously at the churches (Sunday service and bulletin cancelled; adoration on; I was sent a new membership to join the church I was baptized in and built!). Our senior center closed (Syracuse reported it wants the sites for aftercare programs for children) and a Rescue Mission van appeared in the parking lot, planning to be back Monday through Friday this week for lunchbags.
ASPA Annual Conference and Meetings, April 2020
Now, back to ASPA (American Society for Public Administration) in 2020. First, the Annual Conference Schedule is online with academic papers and presentations that include artificial intelligence (and with hesitancy, not facial recognition technology being "piloted" in China). The two international precon-ferences, Fred Riggs Symposium and Deli S.Wright Symposium, offer a broad range of presentations from different Nations or international studies. This author's International ASPA paper (Racino, 2019) is available upon request, including disability rights are human rights; Rigg's Symposium is the Section on International and Comparative Administration (SICA).
China was highly represented in the ASPA schedule, post the Section on Chinese Public Administration hosted by Marc Holzer of Rutgers. Examples in 2018 were: Local Governance and Community Services in Cross Straits: Chinese Public Administration Review Panel and Emerging Development of Public-Private Partnerships in China (with Elaine Lu of John Jay Criminal Justice in NYC and Zhirong Zhao of University of Minnesota). The Chinese Academy of Governance in Beijing was represented together with SunYat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China and University of Houston (Ling Zhu). Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, Central America, and Africa are among the formal presentations of studies. We continue to thank Alan Rosenbaum for his international leadership from Florida International University with the growing professional diversity in the US.
The Section on Women in Public Administration, post the withdrawal of Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Marianne Williamson and Tulsi Gabbard from the Democratic US Presidential Race 2020, hosts an Annual National Awards Breakfast. Women in Public Administration at ASPA now includes "three Women Presidents in a row" (Maria Aristigueta, Janice LaChance and Susan Gooden), and long time Professors in Public Administration and their students, such as ASPA's Mary Guy who won the 2018 Dwight Waldo Award for achievement in public administration. She's from the University of Colorado at Denver School of Public Affairs, and Dwight Waldo served as ASPA President from 1978-1979.
The business meeting schedule for the ASPA Sections extends throughout the conference (e.g., Sunday, Monday, Saturday mornings) and includes SENRA (Section on Environment and Natural Resources Administration) , SSTIG (Section on Science and Technology in Government), and HHSA Health and Human Services Administration) which I have discussed earlier on this blogspot. Joe Biden of the University of Delaware (yes the US Presidential race 2020) announced an Energy and Environmental Policy academic research program at the School of Public Policy and Administration (www.sppa.udel.edu). The International Assembly meets at the end of the conference together with ASPA business meeting.
Check out the Exhibit Hall, and of course, this author's book, Public Administration and Disability: Community Services Administration in the US (Racino, 2014), is still on line from CRC Press of Francis and Taylor http://www.crcpress.com/authors; Routledge, another imprint, is a sponsor of the ASPA Annual Conference in 2020. New career fair and sessions for early career professionals are also a focus of the new American Society for Public Administration. Paul Danzyck, ASPA President at the Sol Price School of Public Policy in California, is hosting the Annual Conference Event in 2020 (videos online). See, ASPA Annual Conference Schedule for more information on 2020 events and program.
Paul Danzyck, ASPA President, has cancelled the 2020 ASPA Conference, and the Program Schedule is available for download. Negotiations are underway for refunds on hotels, among other changes (check via Bill Shield's office). The next conference will be held April 9-13, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2020
ReplyDeleteIn case access is not available other than to ASPA members, the Fred Riggs International Symposium for 2020 has 11 panels after the welcome by Paul Danzyck Sol Price School of Public Affairs, CA), Kim Moloney (Murdock University), Veronica Junjan (University of Twente)and Alsdair Roberts (University of Massachusetts-Amherst.The titles are classic public administration including, Decentralization and Democratization, New Public Management and Market "Mechanisms", Collaborative Governance, Network Governance and Co-Production (co-production women students and client groups), Role of Civil Society, Public Administration Challenges to Democracy, Climate Governance in Developing Nations, Administrative Responses "to a Crisis", Corruption and Anti-Corruption ("high minority"), South Asian Public Administration Perspective, and Capacity and Performance in the Public Sector (according to the two women I met, Valerie Junjan from Netherlands, who by the way, now arrived with Wie Yusuf on behavioral budgets, and Meghan Sabharwal from University of Texas in Dallas (who came over to the Symposium this year). Alsdair Roberts and I "met' by email, separate from my relationships with University of Massachusetts which includes the Lowell site. Kim was in Denver in 2018, and Valerie in Washington, DC in 2019. Meghan's work is very good (personnel administration, but not intending to "take care of it"), and Kim was lead on a new encyclopedia, as I mentioned. Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, International, 2020
DeleteOn the above local area case study, the Rescue Mission Van, 'promised for this week', was already not there on Tuesday for lunch. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has provided a list of essential and non-essential services during the crisis; requests for review welcomed. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, 2020
ReplyDeleteIn New York State, Governor Cuomo is mandating that hospital beds increase to 140,000 together with the staff/personnel and equipment necessary. Today, on sound cloud, he explained in detail the need for more ventilators (over 50,000 available) and their unavailability at this time, and yesterday, the contracting manufacturer was online. New York State is beginning clinical trials with two new drugs today, Tuesday March 24, 2020 in conjunction with the federal government. New York has excellent Medical Centers who are on national media and then claiming to need direction! Many of you will remember we have portable oxygen in homes and that these need to be secured if there is any electrical outage. Gov.Andrew Cuomo has proposed very large "hospital" sites to 1,000 beds, and all of you know, we have always proposed size reductions per site! In addition, while 14 days "makes sense" for quarantine, be careful on any procedures that indicate that the government is involved in improper oversight of daily affairs in local communities, businesses, "health care", and homes. In 2017-2018, New York State, Oneida County and City of Rome did not respond to health and human services recommendations. Mohawk Valley Health Care was noted at over $800 billion today, with their parent organization "retrograde at sick elder care". Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, Health and Human Services Administration, 2020
DeleteThe situation in New York worsened, particularly in New York City (this morning Bronx, and earlier, Long Island) as did Nations such as Spain (& Iran) with deaths from the virulent virus escalating beyond the Italy crisis. We appreciated the "slow the spread" from the NYS Governor, Governors in US states, the federal government (White House), and local governmental leaders (e.g., Onondaga County Executive). And we thank all governments for the blue building & bridge lights in support of health care workers. However, the "new food crisis" appeared to have "no response" from the federal housing offices (e.g., low income); big thank you from Onondaga County's Ryan McMahon for meals delivered and served; continued "confusion" near local churches, United Way and education in Oneida County; and reports of 1,000 autos in line for Food Bank packages in California. The situation is far from over (federal government with US Congress on economic relief package), though New York is hopeful of reaching the peak of the "outbreak" (Zucker, NYS Health Commissioner); and the news media moved to "safe disposal of bodies"! Big names also tested positive for the coronavirus, and Chris Cuomo (CNN) was reporting from home quarantined (See, CNN's Sanja Gupta), and Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson was admitted to Intensive Care and is in recovery at the hospital.
DeleteI've viewed multiple briefings from the Coronavirus Task Force from the White House led directly by President Trump, and both the New York State (Zucker) and federal Health Commissioners (Azar) have been very visible in the media. In addition, VP Michael Pence on the Task Force and the Coronavirus Response Coordinator Birch are part of all news briefings online. President Trump said his purpose is to respond to all and any inquiries with his White House team. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
ReplyDeleteRegretfully, the "coronavirus" (this party placed an academic article online on decades of virus family in China) is tied to the stock markets which "tanked last week"; to the supply chains that involve our trade war with China, and already are tied to the "demise of our retail stores and their core products" (e.g., Sears, KMART, JC Penneys, Craftsman); to multi-billion or more (to trillion) coronavirus economic relief packages, including small business relief; and to reported active "community spread" of the virus to critical levels in diverse Nations. Masks and other protective gear still expected to reach critical levels as virus progresses (2-3 months). Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, Budget and Finance, HHSA, 2020
DeletePub Med (Medline) online is still available for information on treatments (traditional, e.g., pneumonia) with the recommended Z-pack (arithyromycin) as a triparte treatment, an earlier alternative pharmaceutical to penicillin family of drugs. The clinical trials for 12 different types of treatment were described online and minimally, when new, are 12-18 months for "minimal effectiveness and reliability". In the news was the use of plasma from affected patients "who may have developed some immunity to the virus". Extreme breathing difficulties (severe respiratory distress, ala SARS) have resulted in call for ventilators, and "urge to remember that once on the ventilator maybe only 25% off successfully" was quoted. Instead of 3-5 days, 21 days is the new norm for coronavirus. Earlier breathing assistance is available (i.e.., Boris Johnson, above). Signs included persistent cough and fever. A vaccine (to not "catch the virus") is in process and within the 12-18 month development time frame. Trump's recommendation of use of a malaria drug as part of the treatment package was not verified on Pub Med. Physicians and health care workers have been reported as also dying from the disease, and the new protective gear is "all encompassing". "Virus is contagious" while there are no symptoms in the person, but testing generally limited (millions tested) to guidelines (e.g., exposure). Much more available online, including WHO (World Health Organization) panel yesterday. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
DeleteAmerican Society for Public Administration (ASPA) held a webinar panel last week on the Coronavirus-2019 which featured David Van Slyke (new Dean of Maxwell School at Syracuse University), Susan Gooden (Dean of Public Administration at the Wilder Public Policy School at Virginia Commonwealth University), Maria Aristigueta, Director of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware), and Charles Menifield (new Dean at Rutgers University). The webinar (together with new Book Talks) will be available in ASPA archives for use by ASPA members. Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2020 American Society for Public Administration Code of Ethics was published in September/October 2012 in Public Administration Review (p.776). ASPA's newer Washington, DC address is: 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036. On first comments, this section, Mary Ellen Guy was ASPA President from 1997-1998 and Marc Holzer from 2000-2001. ASPA's Public Administration Review is 80 years in 2020!
DeleteTraditional home care concerns, especially at poverty, are access to extra soap, cleaning agents, "extra fluids" (juice, ginger ale, nutrition boost, water), thermometers (traditional "first aid kits of stock"), in home nursing (and procedures), (pre) & post-hospital medications (includes over the counter, aspirin or ibuprofen), changed bed linens, "hospital meals" (often soft serve first, jello, pudding), and assistance with bathing, teeth, bathroom, and meals as basic. Dependent upon hospital, more hospital procedures direct in the home with use of equipment instructions from health care personnel. Isolation procedures within a home "would be very different" as would masks and gloves. Bed trays similar to hospitals also used (yes, cards, puzzles, books). Home aides were always distinct from health care personnel, and case managers often agency case management systems. Many home care and nursing agencies with primary issues raised as payments (See, Health Care Exchanges for plans). Julie Ann Racino, Cornell and Syracuse University Alumni, 2020
ReplyDeleteThe business and non-profit sectors, which were found at jail system management, also have traditional and alternative medicine businesses related to the crises. Traditional lemon in hot tea, to the benefits of green and white teas, to even coffee as a diuretic (not usually recommended by health care due to caffeine, but by mom-at prunes), to the benefits of vitamins in boost waters (triple anti-oxidants or eat fresh blueberries) or vegetable drinks (traditional V8 or add celery to tomato juice), to "folk medicines" (at Nature's Pantry, and yes, Indian medicines),"hot and cold compresses" (steam), home scents (via relaxation), and targeted vitamins (Vitamin E-hair loss, Vitamin C-traditional colds, Vitamin B-low energy). The pharmaceutical industry is "huge"-and most Americans have their favorite prescribed "brands" for colds and flus, fevers and coughs; pharmacists will advise over-the counter and physicians and their nurses prescribe "based on marketing". Believe it or not, we have in common prescriptions and advice including fish oils, and even specialized over 50 vitamins for heart health and women's calcium. In the 1950s, it was fortified breads, and then to wheat, ryes and 7 grain breads. On respiratory illnesses, we go way back to home and building health being clean air conditioning systems, heating ducts, and "causes of asthma" (e.g., mold). The government assisting with new energy efficient furnaces also has nice air quality side effects. Much more, Prevention magazine had great recipes from vegetables and cheeses with a touch of parsley on toast to too many recommended prescriptions. Just a hello on March 26, 2020. Julie Ann Racino, Author of Public Administration and Disability (Racino, 2014) on http://www.crcpress.com.authors
DeleteThe prisons and nursing facilities have been on the news (that's very good), and confirms that "3 cases" in closed quarters can spread to hundred(s) in a short time frame. Prisons (See, also jails, detention centers, other institutions) have released prisoners as one approach, and limiting access into the nursing facilities of visitors has become standardized. Social distancing is throughout the stores and outside lines as 6 feet apart to stop the spread. Plastic "shields" appeared in local stores this week, and separates the clerks from the customers! Masks are becoming common as a sign of the times. And one of the bank tellers at the drive in sported the purple gloves last week. Quite unbelievable in America (called a period of panic), though relatively common in China post daily city smog and SARS. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
DeleteThank you to Spectrum News (Channel 10) for the daily briefing coverage in New York State (Gov. Andrew Cuomo) and yes, with Melissa DeRosa (Cornell University Alumni, Governor's Secretary, responsible '1.8 million unemployment claims' right now!). Howard Zucker, New York State Health Commissioner, with academic medical centers (Governor featured via Upstate Medical Center), testing workers in nursing facilties, health care statistics (daily, via Governor Cuomo), and national (state-by-state) developments. Great relief at continuing decrease in deaths (mortality rates) with 3 New York counties opened on Monday, May 4, 2020 (See, phases 1-4). Governor Cuomo reported a $61 billion projected deficit today with the need for federal aid to states. On the above, "rising to outside testing via drive thru" are local, private hospitals and pharmacies; cardiac arrests at intensive care cases (verified; preconditions-blood pressure, pharmaceuticals); now all specialties reporting with death also at sepsis (toxic shock) and full multi-organ failure (Yes, online, start respiratory illnesses, anaesthesiology). Reports on new cases, new hospitalizations, recoveries (to home, by the way), and deaths. To date, very little at home advice, though the new "separation within the home" (family social distancing; see, households at crisis in Italy) and cleaning (via CDC-Centers for Disease Control guidance, handwashing, sanitizing). New Yorkers, at spring lawn care, videos for music, town halls, exercises, and online and distance learning! Food Banks and food linking organizations to assure that farm products reach the markets and consumers (post media on milk dumping and harvest packaging)! Much more, including now, an "opposite Governor" on reopening (at widespread masks). Julie Ann Racino, Community and Policy Studies, 2020
DeleteAnnouncement: Call for Special Issue on Pandemic Crisis Management: Responding to COVID-19 through Public Administration, post Emergency Management Issue of Public Administration Review. Papers due by May 1, 2020 and suggested topics include: "you guessed it!" Behavioral Public Administration instead of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS); Social Equity (not Inclusion) which starts read "public enemy number 1" or "watch your back"; Procurement in times of disasters (read money, money, money-favorite topic to cover governmental and procurement crime); Budgeting in times of disaster (with a China will rush masks over start!); co-production, networked governance (women in charge over "last women's group"); and intergovernmental decision making (at global WHO), among others. We, of course, still recommend the journal procedures, post reports and closeouts on Me Too, closures of local churches, and sweeping crime (started with vipering) at diverse gates. Beware at "two white males" in control of the journal and introducing "behavioral administration" as their personal hallmark near "women their age" and criminal academic procedures (read, billions in public funds). Remember, Paul Wehman "doesn't work at his university office anymore either" as "criminal fraud oozes out of the resumes and federal submissions". And the answer is very deep apologies because the public deserves better-to in the hands of these parties for mandates, emergencies, and public policies. I thanked Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York because I knew it was pretty bad (lies not to the benefit of the public, and all self-serving for public funds). Note well that in 2017-2018 the Chair Health and Human Services Administration Alexander Henderson) "did not respond" to the State of the States in Intellectual Disabilities ($59-$129 billion with family support) nor to mental health and gun control which was on the legislative agendas. Now, to get family out of "our nursing facilities" and it was "I'll tell you if you can blow your nose". The professional article is on "Transitions in government and the interactive effects related to criminal justice" (e.g., arrests while in or after public office). Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA (Yes, Health and Human Services 'Administration'), 2020 Public Administration and the Law, 2020 at "imagine that!"
ReplyDeleteFor Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS), see new book chapter in Racino (2014) available at http://www.crcpress.com/authors. The 2017 ASPA paper (Racino, Rolandi, Huston & Bergman, 2017) describes social equity, equality and inclusion based upon academic theories taught in education over decades and embedded in international public policies. The 2017-2018 article on family support services national (which are global)was posted in the blogspot/Community and Policy Studies in December 2015 and circulated to the Executive Board. The gun control policies that involve decades of mental health positions were also circulated to the Executive Board with other policies on drugs (also now a public health emergency) under the new Trump administration. And, yes modus operandi, is no record of the existence of that HHSA Board "only of Alexander's journal" (repeated 100 times or more). Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
DeleteMicrosoft News this morning reviewed the Governors of every US state (not territories) on whether they issued a public health emergency (note: second federal, first opiod crisis), any business and school closure orders (with dates issued and effectiveness dates), a stay at home or safe at home order, increased testing (& ramping up hospitals), and plans for the future reopening of economy. In America, it is considered extreme, but the Democratic governments are allowed leeway (a bit like martial law) in a national or state health emergency. We thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo for leading the Northeast states and for a new Western State Compact of Washington-Oregon and California. Today and yesterday, the status of nursing facilities which raises questions regarding home care systems were on the news at "numbers of infections and deaths". Nursing facilities are part of community care systems, each with its own "state operating license" and "federal Medicaid and/or Medicare approvals". Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
ReplyDeleteThe US governments while planning for reopening, are still in an extreme situation in a democracy, represented "in this state" as the face mask (see, retail, business, banking, and groceries). In the above, the only Governor "out of line" on emergency health orders in the US (delay to mid April) now has a "manufacturing food plant crisis" with over 1,300 workers testing positive and three reported deaths. The states moved toward reopening in phases (first orders expiring end of April) and New York's order previously extended to May 15th. Nations such as Italy (yes, China, site of origin) are in recovery after the devastating reports of "world unpreparedness" (e.g., PPE and ventilators; Also, home health oxygenation). See, national and world statistics- World Health Organization (WHO) has temporarily had its US funding blocked due to "late reporting of the pandemic". On the nursing facilities, 17,000 deaths nationwide were reported by USA Today, and Governors indicated that the correctional facilities have been checked (e.g., "early releases", home "with surveillaince"). Reports in New York State are also by county; google intubations to locate up-to-date physician, medical, and hospital information (instructions or protocols). Infection & control information for facilities and homes online. Approach is similar to the "tb scare" which resulted in separate tb hospitals in the US, similar to mental institutions. Vaccines, pharmaceutical treatments, testing developments, are all available in great detail (clinical trials, by end of year 2020 or 2021). Be wary at "confluence of media, politics and medicine". Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
ReplyDeleteWe apologize for not updating through this site (See, twitter and disinfectants and antibacterials), although the national and local news have been reporting in the US daily on the coronavirus since our last comment here on May 12, 2020. Microsoft News has daily state public health data reporting in addition to links to Nations. The first awaited vaccines were reported as "prematurely released" this month (August 2020) from China and the US; and Trump's Kellyanne Conway, upon her departure from the White House, noted 4 vaccines in progress on CSPAN after her address at the Republican National Convention. The vaccine (Melania Trump's address this week at the RNC) is "the answer" that is being sought in the pandemic; and Pres. Donald Trump himself cited convalescent plasma therapy now in progress. Travel has been restricted between Nations and within the US, for example, with 14 day quarantines "upon arrival in New York" from listed states or other Nations and territories. US also on travel advisories as US citizens enter other Nations. Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, has reopened New York in phases, and believes that the policies of social distancing and wearing masks contribute substantially to turning the deaths and hospitalizations around in New York City and throughout the state. 34 Governors (only 1 cited as not in line, and ordered months later) issued Executive emergency orders on the public health emergency; and Pres. Trump has held teleconferences with the Governors in addition to those with the public. Reopenings, given the staggering number of deaths (national, states, internationally), have resulted in spikes in deaths in some states, with pulling back such plans. The economy and health of Americans are considered in crisis, and the current planning in the news media centers around schools this Fall, major sports events, and reopening of businesses and restaurants. In the midst of new government policies, Americans are in a new normal which most hope to move through in the coming year. We extend our prayers and wishes to people in New York, in US state, in the emerging territorial constituencies, and in the global world. Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2020
ReplyDeleteCenters for Disease Control in the US (covid.cdc.gov/covi-data-tracker/#cases) reported a total of 180,165 deaths as of August 28, 2020 compared to figure in May above. Total US cases at 5,845,876. Reported deaths worldwide at 832,002 and 24,473,843 cases via the ecdc.europa.eu site. Ongoing databases on public health worldwide. Updates on both sites (e.g., epidemiological studies). Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
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