Most governments have prioritized over the past decades, in their lack of pandemic planning, the economy and immediate consumption. They ignored the long-term health of their populations by not arranging for sufficient masks and ventilators, for example, in case of pandemic. 
In the early stages of the pandemic, many governments again prioritized the economy through their efforts at minimizing the threat even as the #COVID2019 pandemic developed. #XiJinping is the worst in this regard, but was followed by @realDonaldTrump @BorisJohnson @DrTedros.
Prioritizing the short-term economy led to insufficient travel bans, school closures and social distancing, all of which have short-term economic costs, but ensure long-term health of the population, and therefore economic growth.
Prioritization of the short-term economy over health made the pandemic worse, sacrificing the old and impoverished, who will not be able to afford the high-technology care necessary to stay alive if they have trouble breathing due to the #COVID19
There are only so many ventilators, and they will go to who can pay rather than who is most in need in many countries.
The wealthy flee those countries where their money will not skip them to the front of the ventilator waitlist. Those countries then buy ventilators from poorer countries with more egalitarian health systems.
In the late stages of the pandemic #coronavirus will move to developing nations with fewer ventilators per capita. Many there will be sacrificed if ventilators are not loaned from the developed nations that may by that time be less in need.
Throughout there is a pervasive greed that is battling within ourselves and our societies against our better more generous natures. For positive examples of self sacrifice we look to and applaud the base of societal hierarchies, doctors and nurses, rather than its peaks.
This problem goes well beyond the current pandemic. We need leaders who have demonstrated their generosity, honesty and proficiency rather than those who demonstrate servitude to the wealthy and powerful by taking their campaign donations.
Prioritization of GDP growth is the policy most sought by the wealthy and powerful, and by those who seek private wealth rather than the broader public good.
The only way to break this link between wealth and power is through true democratization where money does not influence votes. We need campaign finance reform. Either get money out of politics, or health, the environment and peace will never be prioritized.
@threadreaderapp unroll
