My kids and I have loved the musical Hamilton since its music was first released a few songs at a time. At one point, it seemed that my daughter had the entire music book memorized. One of the most memorable parts of the musical is the song “One Last Time.” In the song, President George Washington announces his decision not to run for a third term, over the objections of Alexander Hamilton, his Treasury Secretary. The song’s catchiness is a musical echo of just how notable it was when the real Washington made the decision to leave office. By that point in his career, he was seen by almost everyone in the young United States as by far the preeminent figure of the age, and could have kept serving, could even have made himself king. The fact that he did not, that he willingly relinquished power after two terms in office, was a decision both striking and celebrated. He has been compared to Cincinnatus, the Roman statesman who, after assuming the role of dictator to manage a military crisis, gave up power and returned to his farm once victory had been won.
Washington’s choice to give up power ranks high among his achievements not just because of what it said about his character, but because of the legitimacy it conferred on American institutions. Had he stayed, the system would have become all about him, and while he may have continued to do good in office, it would have come at the expense of the very institutions he spent his life helping to build. By leaving, and assuring a peaceful transition of power, he helped assure these institutions would remain strong and enjoy the collective buy-in of the people; a necessary condition for the functioning of a healthy republic.
Public health now finds itself at a similar crossroads with respect to power. We have amassed substantial power through our efforts to address the COVID crisis. This has been something of a change for us. In the past, it was not uncommon to hear complaints that public health is sometimes neglected, that its recommendations to policymakers and the public can fall on deaf ears. The pandemic reversed this. Notwithstanding the polarization that has kept a vocal faction of the population at odds with the recommendations of health authorities, we are in a moment when public health is more influential than it has ever been. And with the arrival of vaccines and signs that the pandemic has started to wane, this moment may well be ending. COVID itself is likely to remain with us in some form, as an endemic threat. But the emergency of COVID, the crisis of the pandemic year—its days are numbered.
Read the full piece on The Healthiest Goldfish.