A Nonpartisan, No-Nonsense Virus Strategy

COMMENTARY Public Health

A Nonpartisan, No-Nonsense Virus Strategy

Jan 21, 2021 1 min read
COMMENTARY BY
The Hon. Kay Coles James

Emeritus Trustee since 2022

Heritage Trustee from 2005 to 2022 | Heritage President from 2018 to 2021
The morning of the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremonies on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Kent Nishimura / Contributor / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

To unify the country, Biden can start by confronting the coronavirus pandemic.

Much discontent in America could be solved if Biden as president does three things.

Rather than confusion, division and finger-pointing, we desperately need to be working together, and the new president should lead us in doing so.

To unify the country, Biden can start by confronting the coronavirus pandemic, which affects every American and has had a profound impact on our lives and livelihoods. Much discontent in America could be solved if Biden as president does three things: making rapid self-tests widely available, pushing to open our schools and ensuring efficient vaccine distribution.

Rapid self-testing would be a way to quickly identify those who are infected to prevent them from infecting others and limit the number of government-imposed lockdowns. Biden’s FDA should quickly approve more of these tests and make them available without a prescription.

>>> Rapid COVID Tests: A Cure for Lockdowns, A Complement to Vaccines

Biden has recognized the importance of reopening our schools. Virtual schooling is leaving too many students behind. As president, he should use the bully pulpit to confront teachers’ unions—the biggest impediment to getting kids back in the classroom.

The federal government should also provide assistance to each state by facilitating and supporting vaccine distribution. We can overcome the initial challenges we’ve encountered, and it begins by delivering Americans much-needed clarity to make distribution a success.

>>> Coronavirus (COVID-19): Public Policy Solutions

All of these recommendations are not partisan in nature and should appeal to Biden and to the vast majority of the country. At the same time, the president should recognize the federal government’s limitations in fighting the virus. State and federal leaders must both take responsibility and not cast blame on others when their efforts come up short. Rather than confusion, division and finger-pointing, we desperately need to be working together, and the new president should lead us in doing so.

Politico Magazine reached out to dozens of thinkers for one big idea that Biden should—and could—pursue as a step toward making good on his promise. Read the full article here.

This piece originally appeared in Politico Magazine, as part of "Biden Wants to Unite the Country. How Can He Do It?"