Essay 3 Draft Prompt

In  the  document 28.5 “The Crisis of Confidence” (1979) former President Jimmy Carter states: 

“What you see too often in Washington and elsewhere around the country is a system of government that seems incapable of action. You see a Congress twisted and pulled in every direction by hundreds of well-financed and powerful special interests. You see every extreme position defended to the last vote, almost to the last breath by one unyielding group or another. You often see a balanced and a fair approach that demands sacrifice, a little sacrifice from everyone, abandoned like an orphan without support and without friends.

Often you see paralysis and stagnation and drift. You don’t like it, and neither do I. What can we do?” President Jimmy Carter, 1979

President Carter hoped that his speech would motivate  a divided country to come together to solve the energy crises created by a dependency on foreign oil.  However, Carter’s words may also be used to describe a “crises of confidence” that some Americans may have about the ability of state and federal leaders to address the immediate and long term impact of the coronavirus.

In a 3 page essay  answer the following questions:

For the purposes of this essay,  presume that you have been appointed to be a special advisor to the Governor of Florida. Your task is to give him guidance on how to deal with the coronavirus.  In 3 page essay you have been asked to address the following questions:

1. Gather information to help the governor decided the extent to which he should “shut down” the state. What data will you try to collect to help you make the decision? Where will you be able to get this data? 

What media outlets will you consult for reliable information? Provide the citation and link to one example (news paper article, or video of a news report) of a reliable source of information. Explain why you think it is reliable.

What actions will you recommend to Florida’s residents? What will be the consequences if residence do not abide by the rules. 

2. Will you advise the governor to seek the federal government’s assistance in securing protective gear and equipment for hospital workers and patients? Or do you think you should try to find a means through which the governor and purchase these goods from private companies at market prices? 

3. The governor as ordered that all schools and universities be moved to remote learning. He hopes to open the schools by April 15th. What criteria will you try to secure for him to help him decide whether this is a good idea or not?

4. Identify for the governor steps that he may take to better prepare Florida for another pandemic.