Heroes in a time of trial

“Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.”

These 1968 Simon and Garfunkel lyrics for “Mrs. Robinson,” the song in the movie, “The Graduate,” reflect the longing for heroes in a time of crisis. That need is as great today as America suffers through pandemic shock. They aren’t great baseball players or combat heroes, but there are many men and women who are showing the same sort of courage. They include:

LUKE ADAMS: There are tens of thousands of doctors, nurses, orderlies, lab technicians and emergency responders who’re working around the clock at risk to their own health. Luke Adams personifies these heroes.

A 35-year-old Bloomsburg, Pa., nurse, he read about the shortage of personnel in New York, rented a van, said good-bye to his wife and kids, drove to New York and began working 12-hour rotations at a hospital, while sleeping in his SUV. He has found a place to stay and will be there for another three months.

There are unacceptable shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits and ventilators due to the Trump administration’s lack of preparation and slow response. The shortage in personnel is severe, eased by the dedication of specialists like neurosurgeons volunteering in ICUs, providers working double- and triple-shifts… and nurses like Adams.

BRETT CROZIER: The commander of the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt was dismissed after he wrote a letter to multiple superiors imploring that — with the coronavirus spreading on the ship — much of his crew be relieved of duty.

The letter leaked to a newspaper. Thomas Modly, the acting Navy Secretary, fired him, charging he’d violated Navy procedures and “panicked.” Later, Modly called him “stupid.”

It actually was the “acting” Navy Secretary who was “stupid” and “panicked.” Modley, who resigned in disgrace last week, was trying to please President Trump who was furious over the public flap. He and his boss, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, lacked the courage to stand up for a commander who was trying to save his sailors.

Tweed Roosevelt, the great-grandson of Teddy, wrote that it was Captain Crozier who showed “courage,” reminiscent of actions taken by TR during the Spanish-American War to protect his men against indifferent superiors. Military procedures are important; the safety and lives of those serving even more so.

As Captain Crozier — who has since come down with the virus himself — left the carrier, the crew gave him a rousing ovation. The Navy later removed endangered sailors from the ship.

Captain Crozier is one of the brightest stars in the Navy. If the Democrats take control next January, this should be recognized.

ANTHONY FAUCI: This may be the millionth time the National Institutes of Health infectious disease specialist has been praised during this crisis; there needs to be millions more.

There are few, if any, occasions where a single person, not the president, has guided a traumatized nation. Fauci warned about the dangers back in January, has been the resident expert on the Coronavirus Task Force and is the one figure Americans look to for what to do and what to expect. Turn on television — morning, afternoon or evening — and there is Fauci, knowledgeable, calm and candid; he’s also reaching out to skeptical youth with appearances on sports shows like Pardon My Take and NBA star Steph Curry’s podcast.

Fauci’s most critical role may be the balancing act between knocking down Donald Trump’s inane assertions — let’s get back to work by Easter or touting some new miracle cure — while remaining inside the decision-making tent. If Trump tried to sideline Fauci, it would threaten a national meltdown.

Fauci and his colleague, Dr. Deborah Birx, have been there before: When the AIDS epidemic broke out in the 1980s they were caught between critics demanding immediate actions and an uninterested President Ronald Reagan. Eventually they got the government’s attention, winning appreciation from activists and politicians alike.

Fauci has been at the agency for more than a half century; there has not been a more important bureaucrat — the value of the deep state — or citizen. It’s time to name the Anthony Fauci National Institutes of Health campus.

WEST COAST GOVERNORS: A number of governors have shown exceptional leadership. New York is the epicenter of the pandemic, but with New York-headquartered major media there always is an East Coast tilt; Andrew Cuomo has dominated coverage of governors.

More attention should be paid to Washington State’s Jay Inslee and Gavin Newsom of California. The virus first hit Washington, and the governor moved aggressively to start testing and set restrictions on social interactions. With an improved situation, he was able to send 400 ventilators to New York and other hot spots.

Gavin Newsom was the first chief executive to issue a mandatory stay at home order and now has forbidden landlords from evicting tenants who can’t pay because of coronavirus. He can be vague on specifics but has been out front on this crisis.

Their relationships with Trump is a study in contrast: The egocentric president has been testy with Inslee, but Newsom has maintained a good relationship.  

COURAGEOUS REPUBLICANS: This is the shortest entry. A few Governors from blue states — Maryland’s Larry Hogan and Massachusetts’ Charlie Baker have been tough and not hesitated to complain about deficiencies from Washington. There aren’t many more.

Al Hunt is the former executive editor of Bloomberg News. He previously served as reporter, bureau chief and Washington editor for the Wall Street Journal. For almost a quarter century he wrote a column on politics for The Wall Street Journal, then the International New York Times and Bloomberg View. Follow him on Twitter @AlHuntDC.