Americans are suffering more than they have to because of poor leadership. President Trump consistently refuses to place the U.S. in a national lockdown and mandatory quarantine, even going so far as to say that the public would be back to work by Easter. Prime Minister Borris Johnson of the United Kingdom finally issued a nationwide lockdown, followed a few days later by the announcement of him testing positive for the disease.

His briefings are rampant with misinformation, then spread by media news outlets. Only recently has he put into effect the Defense Production Act which only asks General Motors to start the production of ventilators. Thankfully, companies like Ford and Tesla have taken it upon themselves to do the same. Unfortunately, it could take almost a month before these factories are approved by the FDA and are able to start production.

The Stimulus Bill passed by Congress really is for the economy, and to provide relief to businesses. However, there is little initiative of the federal government to help healthcare workers by producing masks and ventilators, or by mandating quarantine.

Countries like South Korea, China, and Taiwan are being praised for their handling of the outbreak. This has much to do with their experience of SARS in 2003, and understanding the significance of testing and nation guidelines.

Without prior experience, and with an incompetent healthcare system and leader, the United States has yet to peak but is surpassing even Italy's rates.

I have to be honest, I am terrified. Both of my parents are near 60 years old and I could not bear to risk their suffering. We all have people to protect and to look after, but when is the nation going to take care of all of us? Seeing New York makes me realize we are not allowed to call ourselves a first-world nation if we don't put our people first: the doctors, nurses, patients, everyone who is fighting this disease.

The disease is getting worse, and it's our response as a nation that terrifies me more.