Yes, Trump'S egomaniacal delay in taking COVID-19 seriously led many who wanted to LIVE having no choice but to DIE.

That is Trump's inability to take expert medical advice up to March 31, 2020 that the threat was really serious. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/politics/trump-coronavirus-statements/ dated March 31, 2020

TRUMP SAID IN 2020:

“We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.” CNBC interview Jan. 22

“Looks like by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.” New Hampshire rally Feb. 10

“The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. … Stock Market starting to look very good to me!” Twitter Feb. 24

“It’s going to disappear. One day, it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.” News conference, Feb. 27

“I think the 3.4 percent [[confirmed] fatality rate] is really a false number.” Fox News interview, March 4

“Some people will have this at a very light level and won’t even go to a doctor or hospital, and they’ll get better. There are many people like that.” Briefing with airline CEOs, March 4

“The Fake News Media and their partner, the Democrat Party, is doing everything within its semi-considerable power ... to inflame the CoronaVirus situation.” Twitter, March 9

“We’re prepared, and we’re doing a great job with it. And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away.” March 10

“We’re using the full power of the federal government to defeat the virus, and that’s what we’ve been doing.” News conference, March 14

“This is a very contagious virus. It’s incredible. But it’s something that we have tremendous control over.” News conference, March 15

“We have an invisible enemy.” News conference, March 16

“I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.” News conference, March 17

“I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning...” Twitter, March 18

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[FROM ABOVE]

Trump is America's main problem with COVID-19 due to Trump's leadership delay. That is Trump's inability to take expert medical advice up to March 31, 2020 that the threat was really serious. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/politics/trump-coronavirus-statements/ dated March 31, 2020

TRUMP SAID IN 2020:

“America will again, and soon, be open for business — very soon — a lot sooner than three or four months that somebody was suggesting. ... We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself.” News conference, March 23

“I’d love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter.” Fox News interview, March 24

“We’re going to have a great victory.” News conference, March 30 [Adopting the rhetoric of war!]

“I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You know, you go into major hospitals sometimes they’ll have two ventilators, and now all of a sudden they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’” Fox News interview, March 26

“WE WILL WIN THIS WAR. [capitalized by Trump] When we achieve this victory, we will emerge stronger and more united than ever before!”
— Twitter, March 28

“Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won.” News conference, March 29

[On March 29, 2020] Anthony S. Fauci, one of the nation’s top infectious disease experts and a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, warned that between 100,000 and 200,000 Americans could die and that millions would be infected. The president said on Sunday that the country would be doing well if it “can hold” the number of deaths “down to 100,000.”

COMMENT

Even though America has the world's most advanced, most expensive medical care more Americans have the disease and have died than in any other country. Many more Americans will die due to Trump's delays and minimisation of the COVID threat.

As at May 19 2020 US COVID:

- CASES were 1,508,168 and

- DEATHS were 90,338.

Yes but, For all we see playing out on our TV screens, there's four times more staying at home and just being good neighbours. I mean the nut jobs prowling the streets with their assault rifles are not the majority, but a vocal minority whipped up by a clown who clearly puts personal profit before people?

Even then not completely self-serving or without any scruples. Just a spoiled clown completely out of his depth? Trying to use bluff and bluster to hide serious lack of normal human empathy and serial incompetence?

Trying to judge America by what we see n the nightly news, is how we misjudge any culture based on a vociferous minority and flawed leaders!

There is a reason why The U.S.A. became
the epicentre for covid-19, one needs look no further than the Whitehouse to understand why. where the rise and fall of the stock market all but claims the attention of a would-be if he could-be, an absolute ruler!?

And in very fear for himself, from covid-19? Not quite a rabbit caught in the glare of the headlights? But close? I think that Pete, sums it up extremely well and with his usual accuracy! I believe the death toll may have plateaued along with the new infections? But where there is likely to be a disastrous second and third wave followed by a great and enduring depression of unprecedented magnitude?

I mean, look at us, during the Great Depression the unemployment rate topped out at 32% during 1937.

Today if we combined jobseeker and jobkeeper that number would be 58%! And when jobkeeper ends, not all the enterprises it currently supports, will reopen their doors!

One only needs to listen to those touting renewables or clean coal etc-ec., to understand why this will not end well!

Because even now, we have allowed special group vested interest to call all the shots! None of them either pragmatic or wise, but almost guaranteed to exacerbate the problem, the economic pain and hardship!
Alan B.

Anti-Trump, anti-American tirades are the same as those against the ABC. No matter your opinion on either, it's all been said over and over, and it's so boring.

Hi Pete,

"“We’re prepared, and we’re doing a great job with it. And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away.” March 10"

"“I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.” News conference, March 17"

So what happened in that week ? And how early in the week did Captain Marvel realise there was a problem ?

Hmmm ..... maybe those news conferences didn't happen, they have been photoshopped.

91,800, Pete, 1600 more yesterday. I fear 100,000 deaths well before the end of May, and with an increased wave (not a 'second wave' but an extension of this first wave), 200,000 before mid-August.

Maybe many authorities - county administrations, governors - are realising that there is/was no alternative to lock-downs, and quarantining areas and regions, testing and tracking, until there are no new cases (and have been none for a couple of weeks at least), before they can lift restrictions. And then join up with similarly virus-'free' regions, like we will probably be doing in the next few months with NZ.

Perhaps the US has missed the moment, and will have to experience disaster before authorities re-evaluate the dire situation and, maybe by next autumn or winter, implement proper lockdowns and quarantines. Perhaps an entire year lost. A year of unnecessary deaths, thanks mainly to Captain Marvel.

Thank you, Hsin-Li, for joining the dots. Stay safe, and Taiwan too :)

Cheers,

Joe

Ttbn,

Yes, death is so boring. You can stare at a dead body for hours and get nothing new from it. It just lies there. Its fingers and arms get stiffer. You have to keep closing its eyes. Well, unless you knew and loved that person, of course. Perhaps that doesn't apply in your secure cave. How's your toilet paper supply ?

On the other hand, to see hundreds of new graves like in New York, Iran, Brasil, etc., and the distraught mourners, changes one's perspective somewhat.

But I'm told that if you just click your heels, Captain Marvel will appear and solve your problem for you.

Thank you, Captain Marvel !

But no, we're not in Kansas any more. Or in any fantasy or action comic. We're in the real world. All of us together.

Joe