Blog 3: Health - The Importance of Health Security

As outlined in the previous blog, security is an important issue in this discussion, but more importantly, health security and the opportunity to stay safe is crucial. With some places doing helpful, effective work towards the issue, not everything is working. In Las Vegas, their solution to the problem was placing people in a parking lot in marked ares six feet apart from each other. No walls, no roof, nothing to really separate each other to stay safe from the virus. I find this especially strange because throughout the whole city and even behind them, as seen in the photo, there are a number of completely empty casinos and hotels. This situation was temporary and they soon moved back to a shelter, but it seems a different plan could have been more effective.

The importance of health and safety in a time like this is extreme. The CDC recognizes this and is working towards a "whole community" approach. This includes people from all different areas to stay in communication to be able to provide a holistic, helpful way of planning and response. Health security is an important thing. During a time of a global pandemic, it is the global citizen's duty to help whoever they can to be protected, but remembering to protect themselves first. For people with more exposure to the world, like homeless people, that is more difficult, which is why there are stakeholders and people of power aiding the situation.


Bibliography
“Interim Guidance on Unsheltered Homelessness and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Homeless Service Providers and Local Officials.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 May 2020, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/unsheltered-homelessness.html.
Levin, Dan. “Las Vegas Places Homeless People in a Parking Lot, 6 Feet Apart.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 31 Mar. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/us/las-vegas-coronavirus-homeless-parking-lot.html.

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