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Being prepared for potential public health crises is not a partisan issue, it's common sense. In fact, it's something about which it is easy to reach across the aisle and share ideas. (Or it should be, anyway). Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, and former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, a Democrat, are doing so as part of a commission that has put together a "Good Health Is Good Governance" roadmap, according to a report by Statehouse News Bureau.
"Whether it's opiate overdoses or a pandemic or a styrene leak out of a train, public health always rears its head back," Cranley told Statehouse News Bureau. "Public officials and health professionals need to work together to solve problems."
The roadmap includes points such as: announcing a commitment to public health; regular working sessions to identify areas of concern; establishing roles and decision-making authority with elected officials and public health experts; creating partnerships with leaders in business, education, transportation, agriculture, public safety, healthcare, social services, and faith institutions; and agreeing on priorities, such as building reserves of personal protective equipment.
"No politician wants to get caught behind the curve where they don't know what's going on," Kasich told Statehouse News Bureau. "We want to be in a position where together we can act to show the public that their health is of prime importance to us. So, if it gets political, it's because we've got knuckleheads that are involved in everything. But nine out of 10 times, I don't think we're going to have a problem there."
Kasich and Cranley had a front row seat for the challenges in responding to the COVID-19 crisis in our region, and understand the importance of having a plan, rather than trying to make decisions amid politicized chaos.
They also know the importance of local and state officials having their ducks in a row when no one is sure whether we can count on the federal government to respond properly.
"When a crisis hits, it's practical, not political," Cranley said.
Given the number of politicians willing to exploit such crises and respond as impractically as possible, here's hoping public officials take seriously the recommendations of the commission.
After all, we know now the next challenge is not a matter of "if," but "when."