Is a response to an epidemic a natural opening for large scale, coordinated, efforts of the government?, and conversely can an effective response be left to individuals within society apart from government coordination?
Two high cases from recent history, SARS, and Ebola: Each showed a significant role of the government (complete with its coercive power) in successful containment of the disease.
And the list of diseases, common one century ago, which today pose little threat: TB, smallpox, whooping cough, measles, etc., all show a concerted effort, guided by government as an essential part of the program to control those diseases. And yes, I am aware that diseases such as TB are threatening a comeback.
We often hear any big government initiatives described as socialism, a point I disagree with. The Public Health Service is a uniformed service of the US, its members have rank and pay grades and retirement of the military. (Same for the meteorologists at NOAA)
Two high cases from recent history, SARS, and Ebola: Each showed a significant role of the government (complete with its coercive power) in successful containment of the disease.
And the list of diseases, common one century ago, which today pose little threat: TB, smallpox, whooping cough, measles, etc., all show a concerted effort, guided by government as an essential part of the program to control those diseases. And yes, I am aware that diseases such as TB are threatening a comeback.
We often hear any big government initiatives described as socialism, a point I disagree with. The Public Health Service is a uniformed service of the US, its members have rank and pay grades and retirement of the military. (Same for the meteorologists at NOAA)
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