Let me tell you an anecdote (COVID-19 related)

[The Genealogist]

I work for a hospital system. One of our infectious disease docs has been put in charge of the system's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. He has been regularly releasing measured, detailed updates on how the system is preparing for the onslaught, what the status of the disease is in our area, the potential effects to the community, etc. This man is an expert in his field, and is effectively applying his expertise to develop a realistic response to an impending public health crisis.

The contrast between this response and Trump's idiotic blatherings on the matter is stark.

The best thing Trump could do for America right now is to shut his gaping pie hole and LET THE PEOPLE WHO CAN MANAGE THIS HEALTH CRISIS DO THEIR GODDAMNED JOBS WITHOUT CRAPPING ALL OVER THEM AND POLITICIZING IT. Donald Trump has not a clue in the world what he is doing, and it is GLARINGLY obvious. This isn't a game. His incompetence is going to make this situation WORSE THAN IT WOULD OTHERWISE BE. Of course, Trump doesn't give a shit about America, just money, power and his reelection. And he is as likely to shut his pie hole as the sun is to rise in the west. /rant off

[tanyev]

1. Yep. The country might have muddled through a Trump presidency

without too much damage if he were capable keeping his mouth shut and staying out of the way of people who know what they are doing. But he simply Cannot.Do.That.

[The Genealogist]

2. That's what you get with someone who thinks "I alone can fix this"

He can't do that.

[3catwoman3]

8. He alone can sure fuck it up, though.

I realize he’s had plenty of help from all the know-nothing people he’s appointed, but it all starts with him.

[2naSalit]

11. +1

[underpants]

3. It's a social/political/news source litmus test

We had a staff meeting yesterday and at my urging we discussed COVID-19. I wanted to know what our plan was. Apparently we do have a pandemic protocol.

But...

We are very good about not discussing politics but I have a good feel as to co-workers leanings. Everyone at the meeting who I'd guess is to the right or believers in the cult News was dismissive. "Hysteria" "news media" "the flu is worse" etc. are clear give aways. I heard that from several people.

My response to a Facebook posting - Ironically, keeping your head in the sand is not a bad idea.

[central scrutinizer]

4. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Seems like an obvious strategy. If you do prepare for it and it doesn’t happen, you’ve spent some time and money. And it wasn’t wasted because you learned a lot. If you don’t prepare and it does happen, you’re up shit creek without a paddle.

[handmade34]

5. ...

[randr]

6. He has fired, alienated, or muzzled anyone with any credibility on the subject

We are going to see this play out to a very bitter end.

[3catwoman3]

7. "...not a clue in the world what he is...

...doing,” about this or anything else.

He is completely incompetent.

[nahant]

9. tRumpF the lying failure!

The orange POS over ruled the CDC and brought patients back from the Princess cruse ship in Japan and stuffed them into planes(with no windows) with the infected along with those who were not. Guess what they all breathed the same air for 12 hours so now here in California we are having people with no known source coming down with COVID_19.. It must be another for of retribution on the state of California which he hates with a passion.

[NBachers]

12. I am afraid of his demented zealots trying to spread it through the homeless population of SF or LA.

[pandr32]

10. 'Idiotic Blatherings' should be a daily news show/column

All of DT's recent "gaping pie hole" and itchy twitter finger political or self-serving blatherings could be highlighted and appropriately fact-checked under that banner. It would be appropriate for people who don't watch Fox news and/or follow him on Twitter. It would infuriate him.

Love your post.

[cwydro]

13. It frightens me that the administration managed to shut down Dr. Fauci's appearances Sunday.

That’s truly frightening to me.

[mgardener]

14. Why do we have a Surgeon General???

Dr. Jerome Adams is the Surgeon General
H is an MD and has public health experience.
Why is he not leading this response???

[PatrickforO]

15. Trump is uniquely unsuited to handle something like this. If you are like me, and appreciate

colorful hyperbole, let me give you a quote from a twitter feed. I've lost it so am giving it from memory. But it is amusing:

Trump had tweeted again about how great he is or some such.

So this lady tweets back: "I'll crawl over broken glass to vote against you, you lying, syphilitic chode!"

Isn't that fun? I had to look up 'chode.'

Very apropos.

Humor aside, I'm mad about it too. Have been for some time.

[Wounded Bear]

16. Best of luck to you. You are in the front lines for this...