First Katrina and Now Coronavirus

I remember back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The scenes of devastation and the crowds outside and inside the Superdome made it clear to the nations of the world that America was in trouble. It was the first time in my recollection that other nations moved to make donations of money and supplies to the United States -- because we looked like we were on our lips!

Now the coronavirus and our uncoordinated national response has evoked the same type of response from other countries. Moving forward, we will not have the same reputation for being competent and innovative among nation states. It is a sorry state of affairs, but it comes from decades of neglect to systems and processes that have protected us in the past, but don't exist today. 

We have weak leadership, weak capabilities and even weaker infrastructures. We may not be a failed state yet, but we are beginning to have all the markers of one in the making. 

Political leadership is needed that cares more about the nation and its people than their own careers and hanging on to power and money.