Lately, some in the MSM have tried to explain why Floridians have fared much better from the Chinese virus then New Yorkers. A recent article in The Atlantic (who reads The Atlantic anymore, but ex-hippies turned limousine liberals on Long Island) came to no real conclusion. It had been almost gleefully suggested in the MSM that Florida, third in population behind California and Texas, with a very large percentage elderly, and a Republican governor, would fare much worse, horribly worse. Yet it never happened, not even close. Florida's number of cases and deaths is only 1/20th of New York's. Warmer weather, less crowding, lack of public transportation, fewer homeless, and cleanliness were suggested. It was even implied that Floridians are more cooperative than New Yorkers when it comes to social distancing and wearing masks. None of these explanations either separately or all together can explain the huge disparity. Not even that New York is a major tourist destination can explain it, as so is Florida. Tourism is a major part of Florida's economy and spring break was just starting.
One explanation, better leadership, was soundly rejected in these articles. After all, the MSM gushed over every word Governor Cuomo spoke, touting him as future presidential material and were critical of every move that Governor Desantis made. So let's examine leadership first. Prior to the pandemic hitting New York in force, Cuomo, New York Mayor DeBlasio, and Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot encouraged New Yorkers to get out and enjoy the city including an annual celebration of the Chinese New Year. President Trump had already issued travel restrictions from China and as expected from the MSM, was called xenophobic and racist. Similar stupidity was displayed by Nanci Pelosi in San Francisco with its Chinese New Year celebration and in New Orleans by its Mayor Latoya Cantrell for Mardi Gras.
The pandemic quickly ravaged New York City and began to overwhelm some of the city's medical facilities. Cuomo begged for more ventilators, PPE, and hospital beds and President Trump responded immediately sending the Army Corps of Engineers to constructed hospitals in Central Park and the Javits Center and sent the USNS Comfort, a hospital ship with 1000 hospital beds. In addition, PPE and ventilators in our reserve were sent and American industry, much like in WW2, shifted over to manufacturing ventilators and PPE. In addition, military-medical personnel were sent to NYC to relieve overworked, infected, and worn out medical personnel. So far so good, President Trump and Governor Cuomo were working well together. As it turned out not so many hospital beds were needed and so many ventilators arrived that Cumo generously sent some to other states in need. An over supply is better than not enough in a pandemic. After a bad start, Cuomo seemed to rally, but we have since found out that instead of utilizing the Comfort or beds in the Javits Center, infected patients were being sent to nursing homes. That was like pouring gasoline on a fire, as nursing home patients were the most vulnerable and infection and deaths followed. One report was that 25% of all deaths in New York were nursing home patients. It was also learned that some years before, Governor Cuomo had auctioned off many of the state's ventilators, but failed to replace them.
Desantis was roundly criticized by the MSM, claiming he delayed in closing down the state, but somehow he still made all of the right decisions. Realizing that nursing homes in Florida were a disaster waiting to happen, he mobilized the National Guard to check on Florida nursing homes and do testing to prevent mass infection deaths as in Washington State and New York. He emphasized strict social distancing and closed down pools, parks, public beaches, and even hotels. Certainly, there were cases and deaths, but the numbers were low considering Florida's large population and a large number of elderly. Though third in population behind California and Texas, Florida is eighth in the number of cases and tenth in the number of deaths. Desantis has even begun to lift restrictions in less affected parts of the state.
If you follow my blog, you will know that I think that New York City was targeted by the Chinese in a geopolitical struggle for the best economy in the world. President Trump backed the Chinese into a corner with tariffs and forced China to sign a trade deal that by leveling the playing field for trade assured America of the top position for years to come. The EU and America were the main victims of the viral attack, and undoubtedly planeloads of asymptomatic Chinese were sent to New York and Western Europe to weaken economies. Fortunately, this has seemed to backfire on the Chinese. America will now bring much manufacturing back home, especially drugs, PPE, and medical equipment to shorten and control the supply chain in case the Chinses try to attack us with another virus. It also made us realize that free universal medical care will not work here. America has more ICU beds per capita than any other country and those EU countries that have free universal medical care. Death rates were much higher in Spain, Italy. France, Belgium, England, and Ireland. In America, there should have been no rationing of ICU beds. In fact, we have been so successful overall that hospitals are clamoring to resume elective surgery and medical care as they have been forced to lay off staff as they have nothing for them to do. Therdfore, poor leadership combined with targeting are the reasons for the vast difference between New York and Florida.
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