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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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American Crisis summary
Andrew M. Cuomo
Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
24 mins
Brief summary
American Crisis by Andrew M. Cuomo is a timely book that offers a first-hand account of how New York State battled COVID-19, while also taking readers through Cuomo's trials and tribulations over his long career in politics.
Table of Contents
American Crisis
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Key idea 1 of 8
The virus was circulating in New York weeks before the outbreak.
Let’s begin at the start of the outbreak on March 1. That’s the day the New York State government was notified of the first coronavirus case in New York City.
Shortly after the news, Governor Cuomo’s office issued a statement to New Yorkers. It said it wasn’t a matter of if the coronavirus arrived in the state, but when. And it said the authorities were springing into action to manage the situation.
Despite this warning, most people in New York weren’t really worried about the virus. At this stage, no one – not even the state government – knew how bad things would become.
The key message here is: The virus was circulating in New York weeks before the outbreak.
In the weeks leading up to the first coronavirus case, people in New York were unaware that COVID-19 had reached the city.
There were several reasons for this. One was that the federal authorities had given out the wrong information about the source of the virus. They told Cuomo and other governors that COVID-19 was coming from China and that it was entering the country from the West Coast.
This turned out to be wrong: the virus had actually arrived in New York weeks before, from Europe. And it had been circulating among thousands undetected.
The misinformation issued by the federal government resulted in a series of fatal mistakes by public-health agencies.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – the CDC – began testing the wrong people. They allowed tests for symptomatic people who had traveled to the USA from Wuhan, China, but travelers from Europe – who may have been infected, too – were not tested.
The result? The number of cases the CDC registered countrywide was lower than the real tally.
This gave public-health authorities a false sense of security. All throughout January and February, the New York State Department of Health said there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization had declared a global emergency as early as January 30, while San Diego and then San Francisco declared a state of emergency in February.
Supplying the wrong information was bad enough. But it wasn’t the only mistake the federal government would make throughout the crisis. We’ll take a look at this in the following blinks.
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What is American Crisis about?
American Crisis (2020) is a candid retelling of how Governor Andrew Cuomo managed the COVID-19 crisis in one of the worst affected states in America: New York. It reveals the steps Cuomo took to steer New York through the early days of the pandemic in a country run by a president Cuomo sees as incapable of leadership. It also shows how real leadership requires honesty and transparency, clear communication, and compassion for others.
American Crisis Review
American Crisis (2020) by Andrew M. Cuomo is a powerful account of New York's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges faced by leaders in times of crisis. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through first-hand experiences and detailed insights, Cuomo provides a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in managing a major crisis.
- With its revelatory analysis of the decision-making process, the book offers valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and effective governance.
- While addressing a serious subject, Cuomo's engaging storytelling style keeps readers captivated, ensuring that the book is far from boring.
Best quote from American Crisis
Its easy to create chaos when people are afraid to breathe the air.
—Andrew M. Cuomo
Who should read American Crisis?
- Anyone interested in American politics
- Leaders of organizations who want to learn about crisis management
- Those curious about how New York has fared throughout the crisis
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American Crisis FAQs
What is the main message of American Crisis?
The main message of American Crisis is a firsthand account of the challenges and leadership during New York's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How long does it take to read American Crisis?
The reading time for American Crisis varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes a few hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is American Crisis a good book? Is it worth reading?
American Crisis is worth reading for its insightful perspective on leadership and crisis management. It provides valuable lessons in navigating difficult times.
Who is the author of American Crisis?
Andrew M. Cuomo is the author of American Crisis.
What to read after American Crisis?
If you're wondering what to read next after American Crisis, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Apollo’s Arrow by Nicholas A. Christakis
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- The Fate of Rome by Kyle Harper
- Ukraine Crisis by Andrew Wilson
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- Why We Remember by Charan Ranganath
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Filterworld by Kyle Chayka
- A People Betrayed by Linda Melvern