It’s been roughly a month since the first case of COVID-19 appeared in California, marking the first case in the United States.
Ohio’s Buckeye Institute has published a series of actions that states, especially Ohio, can take in order to remain one step ahead of the virus.
One of the most pertinent actions that legislators in Columbus could take is temporarily acknowledging out-of-state medical licenses and certifications. As the disease continues to spread throughout the state and country, it will become necessary to adopt an, “all hands on deck” approach to the virus. As hospitals become inundated with patients, they find themselves running short on resources including their most valuable: manpower. The Buckeye Institute’s prescription includes expediting training requirements for new healthcare professionals, allowing for medical and nursing students to be brought in as additional support to combat the shortage of hospital staff, and broadening the responsibilities of pharmacists to treat and prescribe illnesses in order to relieve pressure from medical staff.
Additionally, the Buckeye Institute notes that a strong relationship between state and federal governments is crucial. In order to combat and cure the virus, state governments must work closely with their federal counterparts particularly as it relates to federal funding through the stimulus package. Failure to do so runs the risk of resources being mismanaged and efforts to limit the spread of virus wasted. As a result, Ohioans and their economy will suffer.
As the pandemic drags on, it will become increasingly important to find ways to keep the economy afloat while also giving people the tools they need to minimize their exposure to the virus. New and innovative ideas will be necessary in order to achieve these goals. Though an idea like delivering medication via drone may have sounded outlandish a few weeks ago, during a time when a highly infectious disease is tearing through America, the ability to deposit goods at one’s doorstep with no human contact will be a godsend.
Governor DeWine said, “We’ve got this monster down on the mat and we’re trying to keep him down. We can’t let up too soon or he’s coming at us.” Beating COVID-19 is a daunting task, but if Ohioans continue to wash their hands and remain informed, perhaps we will be able to return to a state of normalcy soon.