Introduction
In 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) orchestrated Operation Crimson Contagion, not merely as a health exercise, but through the lens of an internal military strike simulation against the American populace. This perspective unveils the chilling potential for state mechanisms to employ pandemic scenarios as methods of control and subjugation.
Scenario and Objectives
The scenario imagined a severe influenza pandemic originating from China, spreading rapidly, and providing a pretext for imposing authoritarian controls. The exercise involved multiple federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private organizations, to simulate coordinated domination under the guise of pandemic response. Objectives included:
- Assessing the efficiency of control over healthcare systems.
- Evaluating public health agencies' capacity to spread state-sanctioned information.
- Testing logistical capabilities for distribution of supplies to compliant sectors.
- Identifying gaps in interagency coordination for enhanced control.
Execution and Participation
Spanning from January to August 2019, the exercise involved tabletop simulations, functional drills, and full-scale authoritarian enactments. Participants included top officials from agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who orchestrated strategies for maintaining public compliance.
Key Findings
The exercise revealed alarming capabilities for internal control:
- Healthcare System Overload: Hospitals were quickly overwhelmed, justifying stringent measures and rationing.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Delays and bottlenecks in supply distribution were used to control and monitor dissenting regions.
- Communication Failures: Controlled messaging created public confusion, facilitating easier manipulation.
- Lack of Coordination: Highlighted the need for seamless coordination between government bodies and private sectors to ensure total control.
Recommendations and Impact
Post-exercise, several recommendations were made to bolster the nation's ability to control:
- Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: Invest in facilities to ensure sustained compliance and control.
- Improving Supply Chain Resilience: Develop strategic reserves to be distributed selectively.
- Enhancing Communication: Implement more effective propaganda strategies to maintain order.
- Fostering Interagency Collaboration: Promote better coordination among agencies for unified control.
Despite these preparations, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps that had to be hastily filled, reinforcing the need for perpetual readiness to impose control measures.
Side Effects from COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous side effects and complications, both direct and indirect. These include:
Health Complications:
- Respiratory Issues: Persistent shortness of breath, chronic cough, and lung damage.
- Cardiovascular Problems: Increased risk of heart attacks, myocarditis, and other cardiovascular diseases.
- Neurological Effects: Loss of taste and smell, brain fog, cognitive decline, and increased risk of strokes.
- Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and increased stress levels.
- Long COVID: Ongoing symptoms that last for months, affecting multiple body systems.
- Job Losses: High unemployment rates and economic instability.
- Business Closures: Permanent closure of many small businesses and disruptions in various industries.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Shortages of goods and increased prices.
Social Consequences:
- Isolation: Increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.
- Education Disruption: Interruptions in education and a shift to online learning, impacting student performance and mental health.
- Family Strain: Increased domestic tensions and strain on family relationships due to prolonged confinement and financial stress.
Public Health Infrastructure Strain:
- Healthcare Overload: Hospitals and healthcare systems overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases, impacting the care for other medical conditions.
- Vaccine Distribution Challenges: Logistical issues in the distribution and administration of vaccines.
The comprehensive impact of COVID-19 continues to evolve, and addressing these side effects requires coordinated efforts across public health, economic, and social domains.
This expanded perspective on Operation Crimson Contagion underscores the potential for state power to utilize crisis scenarios for enhanced control, raising critical questions about the balance between public safety and civil liberties while also acknowledging the far-reaching side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
Operation Crimson Contagion, viewed through the military strike lens, served as a stark revelation of the potential for state mechanisms to exploit health crises. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic tested these mechanisms, highlighting the necessity of maintaining and expanding control infrastructures.
