Trump administration ended pandemic early-warning program to detect coronaviruses

[SouthernCal_Dem]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Two months before the novel coronavirus is thought to have begun its deadly advance in Wuhan, China, the Trump administration ended a $200-million pandemic early-warning program aimed at training scientists in China and other countries to detect and respond to such a threat.

The project, launched by the U.S. Agency for International Development in 2009, identified 1,200 different viruses that had the potential to erupt into pandemics, including more than 160 novel coronaviruses. The initiative, called PREDICT, also trained and supported staff in 60 foreign laboratories — including the Wuhan lab that identified SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Field work ceased when the funding ran out in September, and organizations that worked on the PREDICT program laid off dozens of scientists and analysts, said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a key player in the program.



Read more: https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-04-02/coronavirus-trump-pandemic-program-viruses-detection

[elleng]

1. The project . . . identified 1,200 different viruses that had the potential to erupt into pandemics

. . . Field work ceased when the funding ran out in September.'

[TomCADem]

2. The Hill: Trump ended program to detect potential pandemic-causing viruses before they spread

Elizabeth Warren was calling this out the potential impact of responding to COVID-19 back in January.

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/491004-trump-ended-program-to-detect-potential-pandemic-causing-viruses-before-they

“Look at the name: Our efforts were to predict this before it happens. That’s the part of the program that was exciting — and that’s the part I’m worried about,” Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a key player in the program, told the Times.

Dennis Carroll, a scientist who led USAID’s emerging threats division and retired around the time Predict was cut, told The New York Times in January that the program “essentially collapsed into hibernation.”

Lawmakers have pointed out that the program was cut right at the cusp of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Addressing and preventing the spread of coronavirus and potential pandemic disease outbreaks is a serious matter that requires adequate resources for and cooperation between experts throughout the federal government,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote in a letter to USAID in January.

[JohnnyRingo]

3. It bears repetition.

over & over until even schoolchildren talk about it.

If Hillary had done this, Sean Hannity would lead with it every night of the week.

[treestar]

4. It's almost like he planned this

[maddogesq]

5. I've been thinking the same thing.

This is Dump’s version of the August 6th memo about OBL under 43. Disaster bodes well for those with bad intentions like starting wars, manipulating markets, or amassing more power.

[Blue Owl]

6. Thanks, Don Corona

[flibbitygiblets]

18. Ooh, I hope that moniker gains traction.

I also was partial to "Captain Trumps", but unfortunately only so many Americans actually read books and wouldn't get the reference.

[Mr. Ected]

7. Even though Trump owes his presidency to Putin and a gaggle of GOPPERs in Congress

This is the one issue that Joe Biden needs to drive home to Americans in the coming months.

The bloodshed we've seen will pale in comparison to what the landscape will look like in 2 months.

Americans will be heartbroken. They will also seek a scapegoat. They will be angrier than ever before in our history.

Trump's decisions will have proximately caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, or more.

If this information isn't repeated ad nauseum through November, I don't know what should be.

[flibbitygiblets]

11. Americans... will also seek a scapegoat. That's why tRump keeps calling it "Chinese"

It will be incredibly difficult to keep the focus on the fact that other countries handled this better than we did.

Because trump's actions cost American lives. And trillions more dollars than we would have lost if someone competent were in charge.

[DBoon]

13. Just wait until he calls it the "New York" virus

[warmfeet]

8. It's quite clear to me that lord orangeamort is a murderer.

Will he ever by held to account for anything?

[Evolve Dammit]

9. They have been on a mission to undo it all. They are fucking traitors.

[gibraltar72]

10. A dollar saved is a dollar he can steal.

[DanieRains]

12. Nice Job Trump - Anyone Saying It Isn't All Trump's Fault Is A Cult Lemming Liar

This whole nightmare is Trump's fault.

Now where is the MSM on this?

LA Times Counts, but what about CNN, MSNBC and of course Fox Lies?

[McKim]

14. You Can Make Money and....

You can grab a lot of money and change and break a lot of laws while others are distracted with a major crisis! This move was purposeful. It is looking to me like one big plot to grab power and cash.

[CountAllVotes]

15. K&R

& recommend!!

[whistler162]

16. 2009 another one of Obama';s faults

if Obama hadn't set up the program or supported it during his administration, then Trump wouldn't have been forced to end it!

[Ford_Prefect]

17. This makes it sound like part of a plan...and I do NOT believe in coincidence at this level.

Even Trump's noted desire to erase Obama's legacy doesn't begin to cover this one. Someone like Steven Miller, someone with a plan wanted this done.

[Rogerpatterson]

19. Trump's economic opportunity

Trump got mad about the oversight over the stimulus money. He has decided this is a economic opportunity for him and has the equipment the hospital needs put into a distributor's hands that is jacking the prices for the hospitals to ridiculous highs. He is giving preferential treatment to states that he considers supporters. It's all about the Benjamin's with him. The cult has some kind of mental defect where the racism, bigotry and revenge is more important than honesty and decency. They are a hateful group that will lie to you without missing a beat.

[Botany]

20. This whole thing could have been stopped dead in its tracks in China in 2019

I really hate that shit that Putin installed in the White House.

[calimary]

21. BASTARD.

[dchill]

22. This story is big, important and not new...

...but instead of punching it out EVERY DAY, the US Glamomedia cover the daily Trumped-up ShitFest like it's news.

[drmeow]

23. This needs to be a major part of campaign ads

It would have traction in both red and blue states. Both the deaths and the economic impacts could have been prevented or reduced. This isn't firing the pandemic team 2 years ago - which stupid American's can't connect (but that was 2 years ago - assholes) - this is clear and immediate cause/effect.

[Stuart G]

24. K and R for exposure.

[Locrian]

25. why is EVERY media organiztion not trumpeting this every day?!

Oh, I know - because they want the tax cuts, bail outs, access, etc
They have blood on their hands too.

This should be blasting 24 /7 till the idiot is dragged out of office.