FEATURED INSIGHTS
INSIGHTS
Virginia: The Dr. is Out to Lunch
With these new measures, Northam reveals that he, a doctor who should know better, is simply reacting to events. Early, decisive action with a justifiable basis in epidemiological science would yield better public health outcomes and political results. The Governor would be better served by taking proactive actions and standing firm on the justifiable science with clear and consistent public messaging…
Virginia’s COVID Strategy: D-
Confusion remains over many elements of the problematic orders. However, business organizations' complaining about new limits is not among those 'problematic' issues, as they had disproportionate influence over the state's public health policy all along. The excessive deference Dr. Ralph Northam gave to business interests sacrificed the lives of hundreds of Virginians. Here are the parts that remain problematic:
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM VIRGINIA’S SPECIAL SESSION
Virginia state legislators returned to the Capitol this week to meet for a special legislative session on coronavirus. One member on the House Appropriations Committee privately likened the session to the General Assembly, "coming back to turn on the 'un-allotted' lights." The pandemic forced the Commonwealth to pause $2.7 billion of new spending on Democratic priorities. The legislature also plans to approve new language on criminal justice reform that will relive systemic pressure after months of protests.
STRATEGY GUIDE: VACCINE GEOPOLITICS WILL DESTABILIZE
If it was unclear clear that the Cold War is back on, Russia named its vaccine program “Sputnik V.” Clear political messaging from an autocratic oligarchy populated with the former Soviet officials.
COVID STRATEGY GUIDE: Work (and Learn) from Home
Experts believe that the coronavirus will "ping-pong" around the United States, infecting "reopened" communities and decreasing in places as they lockdown. The 18-25 demographic is the least compliant with public health measures, so we assume that students everywhere will flout campus security and rules meant to protect public health. Dormitories also present a challenge as increased housing density can contribute to worse outcomes, as indicated by the viral spread in large cities, nursing homes, and jails.
COVID STRATEGY GUIDE: Two Races - Vaccines & the Election
We have learned that a safe, effective vaccine against COVID-19, the infection caused by the coronavirus, most likely won’t be available for large segments of the world’s population until 2022 at the earliest.
COVID STRATEGY GUIDE: Emerging Crises
The eviction crisis is the severest looming economic issue. It portends an America with a dispossessed populace equal to or higher than that of the Great Depression. With the COVID pandemic threatening to worsen as summer cools into autumn, there is every worry we are facing an economic nightmare of unprecedented proportion — unless we act fast.
POLICY BRIEF: Virginia Criminal Justice Reform
The Virginia General Assembly directed its State Crime Commission (SCC) to undertake an emergency review of its criminal justice policies and identify opportunities for reform. Most legislative activity will center around policies supported by the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, mainstream Democratic activists, and the Black Lives Matter protestors. This augments those discussions.
Coronavirus Strategy Guide: Schools as a disease vector
The long-delayed CDC guidance on school re-openings is unscientific, dangerous, and wrong. It indicates that President Trump succeeded in politicizing the recommendations of the CDC. This move is in-line with others that undermine the validity of U.S. data, including long-delays in test results. The U.S. is covering up official numbers and guidance, placing it on a clear trajectory for a worst-case scenario, in-line with other authoritarian countries like Brazil.