Washington, D.C. — A new column from the Center for American Progress outlines how the United States can lead the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saving lives at home and abroad.
The coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, represents the first major global crisis since the Cold War where the United States has not led the global response. Not only has the United States been virtually absent on the international stage, but due to President Donald Trump’s past belligerence and ongoing incompetence, the world has not sought U.S. leadership.
“It will be impossible for the United States to show international leadership if its response continues to be inept,” said Max Bergmann, a senior fellow at CAP and co-author of the column. “The White House must stop downplaying the crisis and help lead a coordinated, global response to combat the outbreak and minimize the economic consequences.”
There are concrete steps the United States can take now to change course:
- Rapidly improve its response to the outbreak at home through actions such as increasing testing for COVID-19 and using the Defense Production Act to help provide hospitals with medical supplies.
- Show solidarity with allies.
- Push for more global cooperation.
- Offer help to countries that need it most, including Iran and Venezuela.
- Lead the global economic response to prevent the crisis from triggering a worldwide depression.
- Abandon attempts to downplay the crisis and instead provide trustworthy, science-based information to the American people and the international audience.
Read the column: “The US Should Be Leading the Global Response to the Coronavirus Crisis” by Max Bergmann, Simon Clark, Siena Cicarelli, Mike Fuchs, James Lamond, Kelly Magsamen, Alexandra Schmitt, and Dan Restrepo.
To find the latest CAP resources on the coronavirus, visit our coronavirus resource page.
For more information or to talk to an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.