President Implements Travel Ban in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak
On March 11, the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a global pandemic. In response to this, President Donald Trump implemented a 30-day travel ban that will prohibit people in China, Iran and most places in Europe from entering the United States (U.S.). This ban does not apply to American citizens who are in these countries; however, countries such as China have suspended all international flights that, in turn, prohibits American citizens from returning to the U.S. Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 teacher Mariana Donahoe believes that this travel ban is necessary for containing COVID-19 but is concerned for Americans who are currently trapped in foreign countries.
“Restricting travel is a good idea in order to contain the virus, as I think people should avoid traveling and leaving their homes in general,” Donahoe said. “However, it may be difficult for students at Peninsula who have relatives or close family members stuck [in a foreign country affected by the travel ban] because it is currently not possible to travel into America from other countries.”
According to Forbes, a travel ban may not be as effective as anticipated amidst this pandemic. They state that such viruses like COVID-19 often spread to others before someone affected shows symptoms, making it likely that many people in the U.S. already have or are carriers of the virus, which means people will continue to get infected in the U.S. regardless if there is a travel ban in place. Furthermore, Forbes stated that implementing travel bans are counterproductive, as they are often devastating to small businesses. Thus, people like sophomore Dylan Booth are skeptical of Trump’s travel ban.
“Because the Level 4 advisory is the highest travel advisory the State Department can issue, I am sure it is enough to keep people from traveling, which is why I do not think a travel ban is necessary,” Booth said. “The best we can do is stay at home and avoid contact with other people.”
Sophomore Cody Hashimoto also thinks the travel ban is unnecessary. Hashimoto believes that the government should be preparing for the outcome of COVID-19 through ways other than a travel ban, such as stocking up on supplies necessary to treat infected people in hospitals.
“We should have put our efforts more toward supplying hospitals with proper equipment like ventilators instead of implementing a travel ban,” Hashimoto said. “I believe this is an effective way to treat people who will inevitably be infected by this virus.”
According to New York Times, the number of people affected by COVID-19 has dramatically increased since it first appeared in the U.S., and the travel ban has not made a significant impact in preventing this virus from spreading. However, the travel ban is still being enforced and will continue until the end of the pandemic.
