OT: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Part III

[Metranger]

 

[Baby Duck Homme]

I am of the mind that the federal government should be proactively identifying hot spots, reaching out to governors and coordinating preparations. That this would be treated as a health emergency. Instead this is all approached from a re-election perspective. Messaging is prioritized over honest and accurate assessment of current conditions.

This is not a red or blue state problem. This is a global problem. This administration tried to downplay this from the beginning to avoid any economic problems. Their nonresponse for weeks only served to deepen economic woes.

This absolutely should not be about anyone’s ego. The more we accept that the more it will happen.

 

[GordonGecko]

That is something that I think has been under reported. China's numbers are 100% bullshit.

Russia is following a very similar public health policy

 

[Gardner McKay]

Russia is following a very similar public relations policy

Oh don't even get me started on Russia. 10000000% bullshit.

 

[will1066]

I am of the mind that the federal government should be proactively identifying hot spots, reaching out to governors and coordinating preparations. That this would be treated as a health emergency. Instead this is all approached from a re-election perspective. Messaging is prioritized over honest and accurate assessment of current conditions.

This is not a red or blue state problem. This is a global problem. This administration tried to downplay this from the beginning to avoid any economic problems. Their nonresponse for weeks only served to deepen economic woes.

This absolutely should not be about anyone’s ego. The more we accept that the more it will happen.

Yet it is not anymore, as countries go into isolation/self preservation, closing borders and denying travelers. Goods and trade will continue to move about, but not people. So whatever Russia has or China has isn't of concern as much as the focus should be domestic now.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I do think it is and again, just my interpretation. He doesn't appear to be asking for praise for him in a typical narcissistic way. It is for all the people around the country putting themselves in harms way.

Leaving aside whether that specific comment was directed toward one governor vs. multiple for the moment...

...why is it about praise at all, for God's sake...?

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

And what the f*** is this shit? (Sorry for the lack of my usual eloquence, I'm several in this evening.)

 

[Metranger]

Trump totally sandbagged Democrat's on this. He knew he'd do this. The man knows no bounds to his corruption. So much for bipartisanship. No wonder McConnell was smiling so much at the signing ceremony.

I hope that Dem's can figure out a way to get back oversight or things will get even uglier than they are.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

In more positive news, this is lovely:

 

[Metranger]

In more positive news, this is lovely:

That's what normal people do.

 

[GordonGecko]

 

[Synergy27]

Post the full quote next time instead of the garbage this guy tweeted

Here’s the deal. It’s better than the out of context quote, for sure. And frankly, it’s almost refreshing to see him directly say that he’s not talking about himself.

That said, any words coming from the President’s mouth right now other than “I want them to get whatever they need and I will do everything in my power to save as many lives as possible” are counter productive and unnecessary.

You’re feeling unappreciated? Ok. You’re the president, and half the country hates you because you play a character specifically designed to create that situation. Suck it up in this time of need. Just once. Yeah, and then maybe suck it up again a bunch of times after that until this is over.

Even if everyone else is politicizing this too, be a leader. End of story.

 

[Synergy27]

Double post.

 

[Machinehead]

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Stay safe brothers and sisters in NY.

 

[eco's bones]

Here’s the deal. It’s better than the out of context quote, for sure. And frankly, it’s almost refreshing to see him directly say that he’s not talking about himself.

That said, any words coming from the President’s mouth right now other than “I want them to get whatever they need and I will do everything in my power to save as many lives as possible” are counter productive and unnecessary.

You’re feeling unappreciated? Ok. You’re the president, and half the country hates you because you play a character specifically designed to create that situation. Suck it up in this time of need. Just once. Yeah, and then maybe suck it up again a bunch of times after that until this is over.

Even if everyone else is politicizing this too, be a leader. End of story.

The problem is he's done a shit job and one could argue that he's trying to create a false narrative so as to not undermine his reelection chances. Another problem is he's leveraging actual people's lives by holding back on badly needed equipment and supplies on the shitty premise that such and such governor's not kissing my ass. This isn't good leadership and it is self serving. More people will die if he doesn't do the right things. He should be coordinating with governors around the country and the most hard hit should get the most help.

His messaging throughout has been terrible and right up to this very moment. He made out that this issue was a hoax and bullshit going back months--he would like to force the country to open up for business even as this health crisis worsens. It's almost as if he's not aware that people are getting sick and dying in greater and greater numbers--either that or it doesn't mean anything to him.

 

[Ola]

I know how overwhelmed Spain and Italy are. Luckily, the US health care system is better prepared for this than either of those countries were:

That's before we factor in the the federal/state stockpile that are ready to be deployed. It's obviously not enough, this will get worse and NY is going to need more in the coming weeks, but from what I have read it's clear more help is on the way. To say it's "too late" for NYC is apocalyptic.

A second wave is definitely likely, but I am hopeful by that time the there is a consensus within the medical community regarding a cocktail of drugs for therapeutic treatment and we will have built up the infrastructure to better brace ourselves.

I think that the US and Russia also has a huge benefit these times from having standing armies that have been active in wars the last decades.

Being active in a conflict is all about improvising. And in addition to what the military directly can assist with, I also bet that many people that have experience from serving are behind those improvised hospital beds set up that we have seen pictures of etc.

 

[NYR Viper]

Serious question as I’m curious. This isn’t the first scare of a pandemic like this ever. I’m pretty sure it’s not up to the federal govt to stockpile masks and ventilators, etc. Is that state mandated as far as how many each hospital should have? What about the number of beds within each hospital?

I understand the federal govt is supposed to support each individual state in times of crisis but where was the planning for something like this? Shouldn’t that have been done at the state level?

 

[eco's bones]

I think that the US and Russia also has a huge benefit these times from having standing armies that have been active in wars the last decades.

Being active in a conflict is all about improvising. And in addition to what the military directly can assist with, I also bet that many people that have experience from serving are behind those improvised hospital beds set up that we have seen pictures of etc.

The difference being Putin is a for real authoritarian who I can absolutely see taking Chinese like methods to shut down an area or a region. Russia has past practice in that anyway---the Chernobyl nuclear disaster would be one example. Trump would like to be an authoritarian but doesn't have either Putin's steely character or intellectual capabilities. Putin certainly understands the ramifications--Trump does not. For Trump it's like the main inconvenience isn't lives lost it's Dow Jones numbers dropping. Putin will do what he needs to do. Trump will make the problem worse than it is.

From the Atlantic:

The President Is Trapped

 

[Synergy27]

The problem is he's done a shit job and one could argue that he's trying to create a false narrative so as to not undermine his reelection chances. Another problem is he's leveraging actual people's lives by holding back on badly needed equipment and supplies on the shitty premise that such and such governor's not kissing my ass. This isn't good leadership and it is self serving. More people will die if he doesn't do the right things. He should be coordinating with governors around the country and the most hard hit should get the most help.

His messaging throughout has been terrible and right up to this very moment. He made out that this issue was a hoax and bullshit going back months--he would like to force the country to open up for business even as this health crisis worsens. It's almost as if he's not aware that people are getting sick and dying in greater and greater numbers--either that or it doesn't mean anything to him.

Just to be clear, I agree with all of the above.

My post was an attempt to address the whataboutism that seems to follow the guy around like a lost puppy. Main point being, even if you disagree with everything you posted, which many here still do, the rhetoric coming from the president continues to be disgraceful and counter productive.

 

[frozenrubber]

Serious question as I’m curious. This isn’t the first scare of a pandemic like this ever. I’m pretty sure it’s not up to the federal govt to stockpile masks and ventilators, etc. Is that state mandated as far as how many each hospital should have? What about the number of beds within each hospital?

I understand the federal govt is supposed to support each individual state in times of crisis but where was the planning for something like this? Shouldn’t that have been done at the state level?

Respectfully, the individual states are not solely responsible for preparation for this.

This is a national security threat, no different than why the US government administers and runs a central military force. If Canada invaded North Dakota, you wouldn't say that ND should be solely responsible for the planning of preventing such an incursion.

Lastly, despite the rhetoric of 'States rights' contingent, States while have preparations for many disasters/events, are not equipped financially/logistically/knowledge to deal with anything of this magnitude that has carryover effects to other States. If West Virginia was the epicenter of this outbreak, do you think they have the public health/epidemiology resources to not only make the necessary decisions for their own benefit, but for the nation as a whole? The answer is a resounding no. This is a national security threat and should be dealt from the strongest hand, and that is the Federal level (not to even mention the financial options solely available to them).

Like it or not, the financial (and knowledge) might of the US government lies primarily at the Federal level. Some 1700's constitutional interpretations did envision no standing army, no federal income taxation, and certain functions at the State level etc; but that ship sailed MANY decades before any of our births.

Without getting too wonky, the Preamble of the Constitution puts it best:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"

 

[will1066]

The problem is he's done a shit job and one could argue that he's trying to create a false narrative so as to not undermine his reelection chances. Another problem is he's leveraging actual people's lives by holding back on badly needed equipment and supplies on the shitty premise that such and such governor's not kissing my ass. This isn't good leadership and it is self serving. More people will die if he doesn't do the right things. He should be coordinating with governors around the country and the most hard hit should get the most help.

His messaging throughout has been terrible and right up to this very moment. He made out that this issue was a hoax and bullshit going back months--he would like to force the country to open up for business even as this health crisis worsens. It's almost as if he's not aware that people are getting sick and dying in greater and greater numbers--either that or it doesn't mean anything to him.

Careful. You might get banned for actually speaking candidly.

 

[LORDE]

Just to be clear, I agree with all of the above.

My post was an attempt to address the whataboutism that seems to follow the guy around like a lost puppy. Main point being, even if you disagree with everything you posted, which many here still do, the rhetoric coming from the president continues to be disgraceful and counter productive.

Summarizes his entire term and in fact his life doesn’t it?

This isn’t a political statement it’s a statement about the human being and his personality. We all knew what we were getting when he was elected. This was always going to be the case when any conflict arose.

 

[eco's bones]

So if this is true this is just another example of why Trump is not up to the job of handling a pandemic.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Says Medical Vendors Told Not To 'Send Stuff' To Michigan

Not only is Whitmer--the Governor of Michigan saying that Trump/the feds told her she and her state were on their own and could expect no federal help--he's telling private vendors not to sell badly needed equipment and medical supplies to not only her state of Michigan but Washington state as well---so people in these states are going to die because he has a grudge against their respective governors. That's playing politics with people's lives pure and simple. So it doesn't appear to be NYS and Cuomo--it's other states he's playing these games with.

 

[will1066]

Funniest shit so far in the pandemic:

Singing on the balcony in Italy: praise be!

Singing on the balcony in NYC: told to stfu