Updated about 6 hours ago 

A homeless man with a US flag attached to his backpack
 

 

Yesterday in America, 1,940 people died from coronavirus. In a single day, 31,935 new infections were recorded.

I personally know five people who have been told they have COVID-19.

Only one of them was able to get a test and it came back inconclusive.

The rest were told by their doctors "don't bother" because there weren't enough test kits to go around.

On the testing front, things have improved greatly in recent weeks, but not everywhere.

 

A New York ambulance paramedic told the ABC this week tests were still hard to come by, even for frontline health workers.

An empty street in New York

 

And yet, since the start of the crisis, the President has boasted about America's testing capacity.

"Anyone who needs a test gets a test … and they're beautiful," Donald Trump said during a tour of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

That was five weeks ago.

America is now the world's 'worst-case scenario'

In New York, things are looking so dire that prison inmates are being asked to don protective gear as they dig mass graves on Hart Island in the Bronx.

A drone shot of men in protective gear digging mass graves

 

The island has been used for decades to bury New Yorkers with no next of kin or no money to afford a proper funeral.

As COVID-19-related deaths surge, new trenches have been dug to cope with an expected influx of coffins.

Furthermore, the official death toll in New York hasn't been counting those who died outside of hospital.

On Monday, that was 280 people.

So, it's very likely the real number of infections and deaths is much higher than the already-staggering published numbers. 

 

The world is no longer measuring the "worst-case scenario" against Wuhan, Italy or Spain.

For now, America is the benchmark.

A nation accustomed to being a world-beater in business, innovation, sport and on the battlefield, has been reduced to its knees.

The US turns to China for help

American friends have told me they've been shocked by what's happening in their country.

For them, and millions more, it's been a grim awakening.

 

"It's embarrassing" said Michael Green, the senior vice-president for Asia at CSIS, a Washington-based think tank.

"The US was not prepared, particularly in terms of masks and basic equipment like ventilators."

America has even turned to its biggest strategic threat, China, for help.

In response, China is sending 1,000 ventilators to New York and regular planeloads of other critical protective gear.

Reassessing America's place in the world order

Robert Spalding, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, believes coronavirus has shattered the "myth" of American global supremacy.

As a former senior director of strategy at the National Security Council — the President's most important advisory body — he offers a sobering assessment of America's place in the world today.

"I think the myth was that the US was still the main power acting throughout the world," he told the ABC.

He describes the current crisis, and America's less-than-optimal response, as a "wow" moment for many in Washington.

"All our pharmaceuticals are manufactured in China. All of our masks are manufactured in China. Basically everything is manufactured in China," he told ABC.

"We have this incredible logistics capability for deploying [military] forces abroad but it's all dependent on the help of the Chinese Communist Party."

And he sees that as a clear and present threat to the United States.

"We don't have to have a conflict in the traditional sense of the word to actually be threatened by the fact our supply chains are over there [in China]."

China is stepping up to help globally

China has been extending a helping hand to other nations as well.

When Italy appealed for medical assistance, there was silence from the 26 other nations of the European Union.

China answered the call with medical specialists and equipment.

Chinese protective gear has also been sent to Ireland, and Serbia has welcomed Chinese ventilators.

Stepping up as a global citizen is a positive development for China.

Perhaps it feels a greater burden of responsibility because the coronavirus is thought to have originated there.

Michael Green, from CSIS, says China also sees the pandemic as an opportunity to project soft-power in the void created by a more isolationist America.

But he doesn't see a fundamental realignment of global power just yet.

"There may be small tactical gains [for China] here or there. There may be some losses. There's no fundamental shift," Mr Green said.

He believes the pandemic will result in an intensification of US-China rivalries in the months and years ahead, with America being forced to step up as a global leader once more.

Maintaining America's current course, he says, "will have a tectonic effect on global relations".

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • Time will tell; i have serious concerns over the legitimacy of any stats from China and the rest of the world should be noting this and more. NY for example when some of the stafs have been examined many people who passed away and continue to had some chronic illnesses.

    It also raises questions about the way China supposedly handled the pandemic and continue to.

  • Vince, you're a pest.

    • I will take that as a compliment.

This reply was deleted.

Latest comments

Bob mertens replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"So a bit like both our centres now but with some speed. "
10 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Eels2025's discussion Jason Ryles... Report so far
"Randy, Fair enough.
Unfortunately, I took a detour on the “AI theme” beyond 1EE into the world beyond. Blame my human mind. AI would’ve stayed on topic better. No scarecrows, strawmen or spanners. Wink Wink.
Now, to your points about using AI on…"
11 minutes ago
Eels2025 replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"I agree regarding prone to hogging the ball. However, he is only 24 and should continue to develop. He is great in attack and, if he could sort out some defensive issues, he will defintely be a welcome addition."
13 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Muttman's discussion NRLW Eels win Round 1, 18-16
"Great win. They looked more dangerous in attack, and were pretty solid defensively. well done girls!"
15 minutes ago
Eels2025 replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"I understand Dolphins want to keep him, but Averillo is wanting to move back to Sydney. I am doubtful that Dolphins would step in his way if he continues to push for the move back to Syd."
16 minutes ago
Eels2025 replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"Yep defintely seems like Perth will bring in Cobbo as a 'marquee player'. "
17 minutes ago
Eels2025 replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"Agreed regarding Averillo.
I think Kerr could defintely secure a bench spot here. He has a lot to offer and would spell Paulo very nicely, in the sense he can provide similar output (obviously in a lessened quantity). I think if we are to go into…"
18 minutes ago
Parra2win replied to Muttman's discussion NRLW Eels win Round 1, 18-16
"Esie was a beast too"
19 minutes ago
Eels2025 replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"Yes, I have seen that he was unable to secure a contract, so has teamed up with Isaac Moses in hopes of doing so.
I like Doueihi as a player, especially at 6. I think he would work well with Moses, and is pretty solid in defence and general attack.…"
21 minutes ago
Zip zip replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"Mentally he can't be too far away from family in Cherbourg. Unfortunately he's one of those guys that will struggle big time. He has history. "
22 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"A big yes to Jake Averillo. He's a gun, has loads of speed, and can play multiple positions for cover. As long as he comes at a reasonable price, he can battle it out with Simmo for that left center spot.
Josh Kerr always looked like a bit of a…"
23 minutes ago
Mick aka Supreme Leader replied to Eels2025's discussion Jason Ryles... Report so far
"Agree Tank, I use AI regularly  - i did ask Gemini if Poppa was as reptile ive called him that on a few occasions turns out I was wrong! Haha 
Poppa is not a reptile. The term "Poppa" is an informal and affectionate term for a grandfather or an…"
42 minutes ago
Mick aka Supreme Leader replied to Eels2025's discussion Jason Ryles... Report so far
"Great blog Eels2025, fair and balanced 
One of the better posts for this season,  keep up the good work "
47 minutes ago
TKBK replied to Eels2025's discussion Jason Ryles... Report so far
"Ryley is about 5'9. "
1 hour ago
Tad replied to Eels2025's discussion Jason Ryles... Report so far
"That seems unavoidable.But some would say " who cares?" When you are a billionaire and not paying any tax."
1 hour ago
Seraph replied to Eels2025's discussion Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr
"Just read that Doueihi signed with Isaac Moses and is off contract for 2026. is he worth a consideration for 1-2 years? Had a few injuries... but for the right price, he covers a lot of positions if needed"
1 hour ago
More…

NSW Origin Squad 2025

WESTPAC NSW BLUES SQUADAmpol State of Origin, Game OneSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane Wednesday 28 May1. Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)4. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney…

Read more…
0 Replies
Views: 255

 

Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr

As the title suggests, Jake Averillo & Josh Kerr are both rumoured to be free to negotiate with rivals clubs. I believe both players would fit well within Ryles' plan.Jake Averillo:There was some mail earlier this week that Ryles had met with Jake…

Read more…
29 Replies · Reply by Bob mertens 10 minutes ago
Views: 1280

<script src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- Sidebar -->
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<script>// <![CDATA[
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
// ]]></script>