Pandemic czar: Not having one is irresponsible

The total miscoordination of the identification, testing, and isolation of passengers exposed to COVID-19 on a flight from New York to Los Angeles in March is truly only the tip of the iceberg.

This is exemplary of how human beings respond to a threat when there has been no prior thought, planning or policy. We have all watched as the federal government has shrunk from its duty to protect its citizens.

The virus knows no borders, and to delegate the responsibility to individual states to coordinate complex medical, logistical and social action is deplorable.

Going forward, we need a national strategy designed by the best and brightest minds, and a pandemic czar to lead with full accountability.

This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 9:17 AM with the headline "Pandemic czar: Not having one is irresponsible."