News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:How did the U.S. end up with nurses wearing garbage bags? by mytailorisrich on Friday April 10, 2020 @03:05AM (#22830670)
The US's system seems to be dominated by the states (writing as an observer from abroad).

This may work well during normal times but it has limitations, which show in times like what we're experiencing now.

It was mentioned on the BBC recently that the federal government has no power to impose lockdowns, for example.

Re:How did the U.S. end up with nurses wearing garbage bags? by blihp on Friday April 10, 2020 @04:49AM (#22831165)
While technically correct (i.e. Federal powers are limited), realistically they can, and do, use the power of the purse to get cooperation. 'Oh, you want Federal resources for this? We're going to need you to do your part by doing X, Y and Z first...' Also, many many years ago we had a Congress that would actually pass laws that States would have to follow... but that was so long ago it probably sounds like fiction to most reading this.

The larger issue (and we're seeing it with the current crisis) is that many things are broken at the Federal, State and local levels and each level is busy pointing fingers at another level(s) in an attempt to redirect blame.

Re:How did the U.S. end up with nurses wearing garbage bags? by jpindar on Friday April 10, 2020 @09:08PM (#22838953)
That's a good thing! The state governors at least nominally care about their people.