UnitedHealth says it has lost its insurance unit’s CEO, Brian Thompson, to a shooting incident on Wednesday morning in New York, causing waves in the corporate section as well as launching over again the discourses about safety in big cities. The tragic event happened at a time when there were increasing protests over increasing crime in major cities in America and has led to debate over preventive measures and polices on safety.
It is still not clear who, or why, shot Thompson dead as the police were still in search of the masked man who ran away on foot clad in a cream jacket and a grey backpack. Many New Yorkers and possibly visitors are alarmed and concerned following the daylight hit in one of the most populated cities of the world.
The market responded differently; for example the share of UnitedHealth, is one of the biggest healthcare insurance companies in the United States, increased by 0.4% despite that overnight a tragic news occur regarding the shooting at a movie theater in Colorado. This calm market response hides the tremendous loss which Thompson’s death and his vision caused to every employee of the company and the whole business world. Thompson has been a very well admired personality in the healthcare industry; therefore his loss not only axed the UnitedHealth but also the sector.
Since then, the event has brought up issues of gun violence and insecurity in our towns and cities again. New York City is like any other big city across America with the problem of violent crime on the rise in the recent past. This has been pointed to factors such as; CPS in reaction to the economic implications of COVID 19, social inconvenience, and optimization of the police strategies. Thompson’s death is sad reminder of the problems which local authorities and police are facing to solve the issues with security and safety.
As the police continue with the probe into the death of Thompson reality has dawned on citizens as well as high ranking officials on the security measures that have been taken to protect the high ranking officials and the public in general. It has also led to demands for more police patrols in business and tourism sectors, and fresh debate on the laws on gun possession. Some business people are also checking on the personal and business security measures further increasing on it, with the effects of the attacks being on themselves and employees.
This incident has also raised a discussion on society about the general wellbeing of American cities, and what is causing the increase in crime. The root causes of violence are again considered to be social injustice, unemployment and the continuing opioid problem of the country. Today’s leaders and policy makers are under even greater pressure to tackle those issues, alongside the pressing need for efficient measures to increase safety of the community.
As New York city and other urban hubs come to terms with what the high profile crime means, the upheaval points to the need to continue doing more in building sustainable cities. The death of Brian Thompson is not only a grief to his family members and co-workers but it also draw the society attention where more challenges continue to arise due to increased urban violence and other equally challenges that threaten the humanity hence the need for society come together in finding workable solution that can ensure that the lives of all people within the society are preserved.
