New Lessons from the Prairie
Experts have always warned that a pandemic would be inevitable, but the lack of preparedness during the COVID-19 outbreak has been a serious wakeup call for Americans. As the United States has become the epicenter of the virus, many people have feared that the biggest threat wouldn’t just be the number of confirmed cases, but the collateral damage to our economy.
Hosting shows like Outnumbered and After The Bell to share her widely-recognized expertise in economics with viewers, Fox News and Fox Business’ Melissa Francis has been outspoken when it comes to maintaining a healthy financial system during this crisis. “I think we are reaching a tipping point where – if we don’t reopen the economy – the threat to public health is greater than the threat of the virus. Lives have been ruined, businesses have been up in smoke, life savings have been gone, and there have been families with no way to feed their children, or pay the rent,” she says. “I think when the American people see pundits on TV saying we should keep this lockdown in place as long as possible to be ‘on the safe side,’ they understand that person talking is most often still cashing a paycheck and comfortably ordering take-out from home. This can’t go on much longer.”
While some may say that shutting down is a necessary precaution to ensure public safety, many Americans have remained puzzled about the recent measures taken. Is it truly the best solution to have the healthy quarantined while keeping major liquor stores open and the local bar down the street closed? Sure, major executives may be uncomfortable, but it is the small-business owner that suffers.
This year, Francis’ husband was diagnosed with COVID-19; however, she has remained healthy. In an effort to offer a solution and reopen the country’s economy (“So we can relieve those who have held down the fort while the rest of us work from home”), Francis has volunteered to have her blood tested for antibodies.
One can hardly turn on a screen of any kind without being greeted with the latest COVID-19 updates. But, with today’s confusing media spectacles, how much of an impact does the media have on the public? “I think viewers are very smart. They can spot authenticity, and they are not fooled by sanctimony. They can spot an agenda,” Francis shares. “For example, some journalists and pundits are always against this administration, no matter what happens. Others are relentlessly cheerleading. Neither of those groups ever changes a single mind, or has any measurable impact. I think viewers feel that if they can predict what we’re going to say before we even open our mouths, there’s no point in watching, and nothing to be learned. The media has to ask questions and seek answers for viewers who may not have a megaphone loud enough to be heard.”
Writer: Samantha Orr
Photographer: Fox News
Editor: Eiko Watanabe
Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)