The current pandemic has not only been a point of debate for the scientific community, but politicians from both sides of the aisle have also been discussing strategies to combat COVID-19 and its effects on the public.
In the last few months, Republican presidential hopefuls have renewed their efforts to create and enact policies that will protect the public from the virus. President Donald Trump, who contracted the virus in October 2020, has been vocal in his desire to ensure that the virus does not spread further and supports several actions to combat it.
In September, and ahead of the 2020 US Presidential Election, President Trump released a plan to finish what he called “the job” of fighting COVID-19. This plan included a focus on the economy and schools, a commitment to protecting senior citizens, and increasing vaccine production and distribution.
In the weeks ahead of the election, President Trump has urged all states to implement a testing system to detect asymptomatic infections of the novel coronavirus and promised additional funding for states. He’s also proposed the creation of a national antibody testing program, which would help to determine who has already been infected with the virus.
In addition to President Trump’s aggressive approach to the virus, other GOP contenders have also released plans for dealing with the pandemic.
Former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, has proposed a national plan that takes a more balanced approach to combatting COVID-19, with an emphasis on increased funding for research and testing as well as lifting restrictions on social gatherings.
Former Massachusetts Governor and current US Presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, has also offered a different, targeted approach to the pandemic. His plan includes maximizing state and federal resources, including investments in public health measures to help those most in need and expanding testing for high-risk communities.
The current GOP field has made it clear that it is committed to finding a solution to the ongoing pandemic. Each contender has detailed plans to tackle the virus, while also taking into consideration the economic and social effects of the virus.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed many faults in our nation’s response to the virus and how it affects the public. It is reassuring to see that the current GOP contenders, including President Trump, are dedicated to finding a solution to a problem that has rocked the world over the past year.