After the Pandemic

As I write this blog in April 2020, we are amid the coronavirus pandemic. One-third of the world's population needs to shelter-in-place. Millions of people have the virus, and hundreds of thousands have already died.  Unemployment has skyrocketed, leaving many no longer able to feed their family. People with disabilities fear not having the assistance they need, running out of medicine, and or having medical care denied to them. Unquestionably our immediate efforts must help our family, friends, and extended community obtain what they need to survive these horrific times. We also need to think about and plan for what will happen after the pandemic. Society will certainly be different than it was before. Our government will make a considerable amount of money available to stimulate the economy. Investors will look for new innovative businesses. There are many lessons we are experiencing that can reshape our society for the better. 

Health-care-for-all is the most glaring lesson we are seeing. The virus has affected everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, disability, economic class, etc. We all need excellent, affordable, and accessible healthcare. Healthcare workers and people who provide personal assistant services need wages, training, equipment, and the support they need to do their job. Health-care-for-all must include long-term medical expenses such as personal assistant services, durable medical equipment, on-going therapies, and maintenance drugs.  A government-funded health plan needs to be available to anyone who wants it regardless of their income or assets.  

Providing emergency services must be a priority for every community. We witnessed how devastating not being prepared has been. Not having enough masks and personal preventive equipment must never happen again. Every city and town should provide emergency services, including personal assistant services, accessible transportation, and housing. Extra durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and ventilators, are needed.  

Heeding science is now more evident than ever. We can no longer hide bad news from people. We must deal with climate change as quickly as possible. Stimulus funds can go a long way to improve our nation's infrastructure and eliminate our reliance on fossil fuel. 

Accessing the internet has proven to be a utility, similar to electricity and running water. Distant learning, telehealth, remote religious services, virtual entertainment, online play, remote assistance services, and video chats will undoubtedly become commonplace. Everyone must have internet access and the equipment and ability they need to use online offerings effectively. 

Supporting small businesses and gig workers showed itself to be critical to our well-being and the economy. We also saw how low wages, unstable work, no healthcare coverage, and no savings characterizes their lives. We need new labor laws and union-type agencies that can help ensure they get what they need. More training and investments should be available to entrepreneurs, including entrepreneurs with disabilities. 

The world after the pandemic will be different than it was before. Now is the time to assertively help shape our society the way we need and want it to be.