I listened to the briefing on the radio yesterday. It was quite an experience to say the least. Trump, who I frequently deride for his arrogant, condescending demeanor and poor wording of even the best meaning ideas, was somber and even toned. It seems he’s now paying attention to the predictions from the more pessimistic people on his advisory team.
He also did point out that we are seeing indications that the measures we are taking are indeed slowing down the virus some. We may also be looking at up to 250,000 dead here before this is all said and done. Worst case? Overly pessimistic? I’d like to think so, but it is hard to say for sure.
One thing I *DO* know for sure: With the release of the test kits that only take 15 minutes and a swab of the mouth, MANY more cases are going to be diagnosed. Some people will freak out over that rise in numbers also. Remember, the vast majority of people that get COVID-19 barely show any symptoms. If you want to look at ANY number related to this pandemic, look at the total number hospitalized. THAT will tell you how many serious cases are out there and how close any country is to having it’s health care system overwhelmed.
Remember also that testing and getting a handle on how many true carriers there are out there will help with better containment, give officials better data on how and where it’s spreading, AND allow for earlier treatment of people at risk, thus saving lives.
Getting back to the press conference and it’s fallout… Trump was overall much more congenial than usual with the media in general and a few political rivals. He had good things to say about California Governor Gavin Newsom, and thanked the media for generally being fair.
MEDIA BIAS & HATE:
Sadly a few reporters couldn’t resist attempts at gotcha questions. THAT is what’s getting all the attention on social media. A few also couldn’t resist the urge to mock the people that Trump had brought together from corporate America to help fight the virus.
Mike Lindell, CEO of “My Pillow” was singled out by Ali Velshi from MSNBC for example. What this hack commentator completely ignored is that the man voluntarily shut down his business and now has it making 10,000 masks a day to help protect people. He’s doing so at cost too! That total is also his starting totals as his company gets ramped up.
Likewise, Telecom company executives were there to talk about what they’re doing to keep phone and internet service up in a time of unprecedented demand. I know I’m dealing with slowdowns now.
Likewise, GM & Ford are stepping up to make ventilators and repair all the defective ones that were made in China and rotting in storage. 30% of the ones we’ve received from China in recent years have turned out to be defective and inoperative.
Most of the media, even most of MSNBC has been a good deal more even handed than this twit. Some of the response has really been sick and pathetic though. These folks need to go to the front of the line in my “I Want People Flogged” post yesterday.
We’re in the middle of a serious pandemic here. What will absolutely make the biggest difference is how people come together to combat it. If we all do as we’ve been asked, stick together, etc… this will probably end up looking like no more than a very bad flu season or the H1N1 epidemic of 2010.
All this divisive BS is only going to cause people to ignore guidelines, act up and prolong the virus. Never mind all the potential secondary fallout like it contributing to the hording and leading to civil unrest. It’s fine to say “I think this would work better instead”. No leader should be above reproach. In a time of crisis, there’s a constructive, CIVILIZED and intelligent way to do it though.
BE AFRAID OF THE SEVERE CRITICS:
I hope my readers are paying attention to the underlying messages from the critics out there. Not just critics of the US President, but other various leaders as well. Many of these people seem to be operating from a delusional state that a leader should be able to snap their fingers and instantly cure things. “The ONLY reason people are dying is because the Prime Minister or President wants them to”.
That kind of thinking is not only delusional, it’s infantile. It shows a level of grasp on reality equal to a 2 year old who has never had mommy and daddy say ‘No’ to them. No political leader has godlike powers (Thank God).
Almost as bad are the idiots that mock private business rising up to help with the situation. They want leaders to just mandate steps and it’s magically going to happen immediately. Essentially what they’re wanting… outright expecting is a government with complete dictatorial powers, and a willingness to use them freely. That kind of thinking should literally scare the shit out of anyone with common sense. To paraphrase an oft heard expression; “A government big enough and willing to give you anything instantly with the snap of it’s fingers, is big enough and more than willing to take away EVERYTHING with another snap”.
SHOW UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION:
Aside from opening your eyes to the hate out there, I have one other message:
Fight the bad examples with a good one of your own. Rise up and join the people clapping for health care workers. Do what you can to support others. Set aside the stupid and often false political divides. If you can volunteer to help somehow, do so. A good example out here is a group called Project Linus (named after the character from Peanuts). They sew together blankets and quilts, and provide them to various homeless groups and low income families. Many of them are now sewing cloth masks instead to help people. Everywhere you look, people are rising to the occasion in some way.
That includes businesses also. Everything from big companies like Ford, GM and My Pillow to local dry cleaners doing free cleaning for health care workers and first responders.
Be part of the solution, not the problem. Be the light you wish to see in others.