Hey Kamala, Some People Just Can't 'Google It'

Hey Kamala,

Hey sis. Bestie. Girlfriend…let’s talk.

You recently went on “The Today Show.” When asked about Americans who can’t find COVID-19 tests, you said, “Google it […] I mean, really, if you want to figure out how to get across town to some restaurant you heard is great, you usually do Google to figure out where it is.”

You do realize not everyone has internet access, right? That even in our modern world, there are still 19 million Americans — 6% of the population — who don’t have access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds. On top of that, in rural areas, nearly one-fourth of the population — 14.5 million people — also lack access to this service.

I will make it simpler for you – having internet access is a financial privilege that you are using as a baseline universal resource for the general American population. For someone like you, in a financial position of privilege, I can see where you can think that that would be a simple answer. A quick google search and bam, there’s a test! Except that’s not the case.

Let’s talk about how according to the CDC, “as of January 12, 2022, the current seven day moving average of daily new cases (782,766) increased 33.2% compared with the previous seven day moving average (587,723). A total of 63,397,935 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the United States as of January 12, 2022.” 

On top of that, CNN reports that “Of the approximately 5,000 hospitals that reported this data to HHS on Saturday, nearly 1,200 — about one in four — said they are currently experiencing a critical staffing shortage, the largest share of the entire pandemic.” 

Basically, in a time where everyone and their mother essentially is catching COVID-19 (which is an institutionalized failure in and of itself), and there’s no one to work the hospitals, you’re telling people to google tests that genuinely aren’t available.

As someone who just got over COVID-19, I still can’t find tests in the immediate vicinity. The only reason I had one a week ago was because I booked it a month out because I knew I was going to be traveling. I recognize full heartedly that your job is difficult. You’re leading a country in unprecedented times, but I ask you, the Vice President of the United States, to think of the people.

Think of the people our government has failed due to capitalism. Think of the people who are sick in bed right now with no access to reliable internet who won’t be able to get a test, and don’t know where to find them. Those are the same people who probably won’t be able to afford healthcare should their symptoms get worse. That, or if they do get medical aid they’ll be in debt because of the same system that has made COVID-19 testing inaccessible to the community at large.

I can’t believe I have to say this, but some people just can’t “Google it.” Wild concept, I know, but true.

People are dying by the day. Please, and I beg you. We need better options available to us other than “Google it.” We need COVID-19 testing that’s more accessible. You just pulled a Marie Antoinette on the entire American population, a large portion of which are sick with guess what, no internet.

Do better.

Love, 

Brittany