Lessons learned from the pandemic

At an event last week some 800 graduates were finally acknowledged and allowed an in-person graduation from the San Bernardino City Unified School District.  With the event coming more than a year after they had actually graduated and many no doubt having many changes and challenges in their lives since then, the impact of the event was surely muted.

Now that the pandemic edicts are finally (sort-of) coming to an end it is time to assess what was won, what was lost and what was done wrong, right or must never be done again.

Arbitrary shutdowns of the entire economy must never again be tolerated.  The power vested in the hands of a few because of the so-called “emergency” nature of the threat of a widespread pandemic was abused.  The economic and psychological damage done to small businesses throughout the state was catastrophic.  It is hard to believe the disease could have done worse damage.

The laws must be changed so that there is swifter review by the legislature, courts or other parties in emergency declaration periods to overturn drastic and unnecessary measures before they do real irreversible damage.

Locking people inside together, especially the elderly was a massive mistake and never should be done again. Studies show that the act of staying inside as a family or group had no or a negative effect on chances of catching COVID-19.  The death rates in nursing homes and other elder-care facilities were devastating and deserve a full-investigation.

These are just a few lessons learned from the response to the pandemic by our incredibly inept government institutions.  More are sure to come.