The cry for open borders. Have you heard it much lately? It was all the rage not too long ago. America should be open to everyone! That was the claim. We should not check and document people who stream across our borders, nah. They belong here. Why, border controls are racist. Didn’t you know that? They are pure evil.

George Soros has pumped fortunes into campaigns to encourage illegal immigration. He despises borders. He has funded much of the effort to turn ICE agents into targets. “Melt ICE” is the slogan.

We all know about sanctuary cities, even sanctuary states. Local governments who shelter and protect undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. The sanctuary movement sprouted from the border control battle.

Our little war with coronavirus has silenced the open borders folks for now. My guess is that it will shut them up for some time. Expect the sanctuary appeal to look less appealing too.

For a simple reason. Part of the documentation process is a health check. We have now seen how easily a virus can cross borders. When our border is open to anyone and everyone it is an open invitation. To illness, drugs, crime and social problems.

Here is something that should not go un-noticed. A handful of countries closed their borders early in this pandemic. Russia, Singapore and Taiwan were among them. They suffered very few cases of this virus. Borders work.

My guess is that not so many people will fight Trump’s border wall in the future. They will stop fighting his efforts to control the flow of illegals.

Trump’s enemies have been trying to stop him from closing borders to travelers from infected countries. As he did with China early in this mess. I am guessing they will now back off.

That is one of several changes you will see. Thanks to this virus that has turned much of the world on its head.

Another likely change will come in our supply chains for essential goods. We already have laws that require some defense items be made in this country. And that components be made only in countries we call allies.

Soon we will see legislation to require that essential drugs, medicines and other vital products be manufactured here. Or in countries friendly to us. Again, for a simple reason. We are totally dependent upon China for many such products. This is not good enough. Not in the wake of this virus.

Another change you will see is in our attitudes toward China. As you know, President Trump declared that China mistreats us in trade. They rip us off, he tells us. He has wielded tariffs in tough negotiations with China.

His enemies have railed against his tariffs. They have called them stupid and unnecessary. They have told us China is not our enemy, not our competitor.

My guess is that these critics will hold their tongues now. Because China did the world a nasty dis-service with this virus. They tried to hush it up. In true communist fashion, they censored the news about the outbreak. They punished doctors who warned of its potency. They refused to allow our contagious disease experts to study it.

In short, they were selfish, reckless and irresponsible. They gave not a damn about people in the rest of the world. Even now their propaganda machines are trying to pin the virus on us.

Here is the not-so-subtle message China will begin to hear from the US: If you want to expand trade with civilized nations you will have to clean up your act.

Maybe we will prod China to end its ridiculous stance on Taiwan. China insisted that Taiwan be kicked out of the World Health Organization. Guess what country has done the best job to contain the virus.

It is a no-brainer that Trump will use the outbreak’s wreckage in the next round of trade negotiations. China’s economy will certainly take a hit from this virus. In many ways. The Chinese will be more eager to make concessions. Because they will need the business, the trade. And they will know that many more Americans than before will want our negotiators to resist them.

The virus will also change attitudes about travel. Especially cruise ship vacations. Unfortunately, many of us will choose to never travel overseas again.

We may end up with extra babies, thanks to the virus. We are cancelling countless events large and small. Millions of young folks are home tonight, mourning. They have missed out on concerts, tournaments, games, parties and vacation trips. Mourning leads to canoodling leads to babies.

Don’t be surprised if we see growing numbers of folks who work from home. And kids taught at home. And students attending classes from home. All because the virus forced millions to do so. A lot of people who resisted this won’t resist so much now.

As the song says, “There’ll be some changes made.”

From Tom…as in Morgan.