The US is better prepared to handle pandemics that might arise after the COVID-19 pandemic. Discuss.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Evaluating the United States’ Preparedness for Future Pandemics Post-COVID-19
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant weaknesses in global healthcare systems, including that of the United States. While lessons have been learned, it is essential to critically assess whether the United States is better prepared to handle future pandemics that may arise. This essay will discuss the progress made in key areas such as healthcare infrastructure, pandemic response coordination, public health messaging, and international collaboration, as well as the challenges that persist.
Body
1. Healthcare Infrastructure Improvements
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the strain on healthcare infrastructure in the United States. While efforts have been made to enhance capacity and surge capabilities, challenges remain. The shortage of critical medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) was a significant issue during the current crisis. While steps have been taken to address these shortages, additional investments are needed to ensure sufficient stockpiles and manufacturing capabilities for future outbreaks. Additionally, better integration and coordination among healthcare facilities, public health agencies, and emergency response systems are necessary to efficiently manage future pandemics.
2. Coordination of Pandemic Response
The United States faced challenges in coordinating its pandemic response during the COVID-19 outbreak. The initial lack of a unified national strategy and inconsistent messaging between federal, state, and local authorities led to confusion and hindered effective containment efforts. While some improvements have been made in clarifying roles and responsibilities among various levels of government, there is still a need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to future outbreaks. Clear lines of communication, standardized protocols, and efficient resource allocation are essential to effectively respond to future pandemics.
3. Public Health Messaging
Public health messaging plays a crucial role in preventing and managing pandemics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mixed messaging and misinformation caused confusion among the public, leading to non-compliance with preventive measures. Efforts have been made to improve communication strategies, increase transparency, and ensure consistent messaging from trusted public health authorities. However, addressing misinformation and building public trust remains an ongoing challenge. Strengthening public health literacy and implementing effective risk communication strategies are vital for future pandemic preparedness.
4. International Collaboration
International collaboration is essential for a coordinated global response to pandemics. The United States has participated in global efforts to share data, research findings, and best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, challenges in international cooperation and coordination have arisen due to geopolitical tensions and vaccine nationalism. To enhance preparedness for future pandemics, the United States should prioritize international collaboration, support global health organizations, and contribute resources for equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments worldwide.
Conclusion
While the United States has made some progress in improving its preparedness for future pandemics post-COVID-19, challenges persist. Enhancing healthcare infrastructure, strengthening coordination among response agencies, improving public health messaging, and fostering international collaboration are crucial steps in building resilience. It is essential for the United States to learn from the lessons of the current pandemic and invest in sustained efforts to address weaknesses that have been exposed. By doing so, the country can better protect its population and contribute to global efforts in mitigating the impact of future pandemics.
