Covid: Anatomy of a War Like no Other

War is actually defined as a conflict between states or nations. So, is the battle over the Covid 19 virus really a war? I believe so because there is also recent information showing that China was callous and may have even intentionally allowed citizens to travel to other countries when they were restricting any movement within the nation. Hence, there may be a enemy, and it is China. That said, this war is unlike any we have ever seen for many reasons:

This war may kill more citizens than died in Vietnam, but unlike most wars, it is solely taking place on our home soil.

Like other wars, Covid has also seen a full blown military response to the pandemic. However, unlike other wars, the duties of war have changed, but nonetheless there is a full military presence.

Covid kills innocent civilians and unlike wars, it kills elderly persons who would never see a battle field. Actually, the strategy of killing older and more mature people is sound principle because it leaves younger and immature people in charge. Most battlefield strategies focus on killing the leaders in order to form chaos.

Covid has destroyed our economy, unlike any war. In fact, some wars have been great for the economy such as WWII. When Covid is over there will be a 40% retraction of the economy, which is bigger than the great depression. The government is responding with trillions in bailouts. I disagree with bailouts, especially for those who may have previously been callous with their finances. For that reason, I prefer loans to bailouts.

Covid has had a unique response on the federal government: deregulation and decentralization. I know some consider Trump a dictator and tyrant, but the federal government has only issued guidelines and allowed states to implement those guidelines as they see fit. In fact, the dictators and tyrants have become the governors and mayors, not the federal government. The federal government is designed to have fast responses to crisis for one primary reason: regulation. Trump has cut hundreds of regulations in the FDA alone to get tests and drugs approved. Something that would normally take years has been cut to days, weeks, or months. Most wars and crisis shift more power to the federal government at the expense of the states. This is true throughout history, especially in the FDR years of the great depression and WWII. Sure, Trump has the War Times Act to force businesses to make war time products, but he never had to use it since businesses where willing to shift gears. The commerce clause provides the federal government complete authority over the economy (this is wrong, but it is true), but we are not seeing that type of authority being used in the Covid crisis.

There is commonality that can be found in modern wars that was not found in wars through Korea: Protests. Protests originate because persons are fighting for individual rights over nationalism and the greater good of the nation. Protesting the draft in Vietnam had a legitimate argument based on the 13th Amendment. Protesting the right to work, travel, enjoy family and friends, and so forth in the Covid epidemic also has a legitimate basis found in the 9th Amendment. On the other hand, under dire circumstances rights of some may be curbed to protect the health and safety of others. For this reason, modern protests may be viewed as selfish, but is being selfish when your livelihood has been completely taken away?

Covid has created a fear factor that is unprecedented. I am sure people were fearful during WWII, especially in England or in occupied Europe. But I am certain governments and citizens were trying to help each other. The Covid war sees people buying out grocery stores, putting out signs on doors "no visitors", citizens being fearful even when not in the presence of another person, government asking for citizens to report their neighbors, government tracking the phones of citizens, and government tracking citizens with drones. Even citizens first amendment freedoms are being silenced if they are different than the views of the government on social media sites. This is scary stuff. Fear brings about irrational behavior and problem solving.