Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The country is shutting down [View all]lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)18. "it would have been prudent and effective to call the fire department"
...but instead, President Turd fired the fire department.
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-struggles-explain-why-he-disbanded-his-global-health-team-n1153221
One of Donald Trump's most important missteps in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak happened before anyone had even heard of COVID-19. In fact, the president's first error came back in 2018.
It was two years ago when Trump ordered the shutdown of the White House National Security Council's entire global health security unit. NBC News had a good report on this recently, noting that the president's decision "to downsize the White House national security staff -- and eliminate jobs addressing global pandemics -- is likely to hamper the U.S. government's response to the coronavirus."
It was against this backdrop that a reporter asked Trump late last week about whether he was prepared to "rethink having an Office of Pandemic Preparation in the White House." The president replied:
"I just think this is something, Peter, that you can never really think is going to happen. You know, who -- I've heard all about, 'This could be...' -- you know, 'This could be a big deal,' from before it happened. You know, this -- something like this could happen.... Who would have thought? Look, how long ago is it? Six, seven, eight weeks ago -- who would have thought we would even be having the subject? ... You never really know when something like this is going to strike and what it's going to be."
It's worth emphasizing that this is Trump's second explanation related to his decision to disband his global health security team. "I'm a business person," he explained two weeks ago in response to a similar question. "I don't like having thousands of people around when you don't need them. When we need them, we can get them back very quickly."
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
117 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
The CDC is now telling everyone 60 and older to stay home according to a headline on my states
yaesu
Mar 2020
#2
them & Meijers have curb side pickup, you can also order online & have it shipped to you
yaesu
Mar 2020
#45
No need to go out if you can stay in, its the best way to avoid infection, but some, like myself
yaesu
Mar 2020
#40
I've been stealthily stocking up for two weeks now so have plenty of all of that. nt
yaesu
Mar 2020
#43
Also, consider buying your future self a gift certificate, so small businesses have operating cash.
eggplant
Mar 2020
#47
Actually, your money has gone to support those people just a little bit longer than without.
eggplant
Mar 2020
#111
No sit at home and play video games and enjoy your family that's all we got right now
uponit7771
Mar 2020
#13
+1, the lack of unfettered testing is really hurting America bad. We wont know for weeks...
uponit7771
Mar 2020
#19
Looks like many here don't agree with your attitude towards the safety of others
Kaleva
Mar 2020
#72
who cares? I follow the city's advisement not to panic and take precautions. I'm not quarantining
onetexan
Mar 2020
#73
While on may understand your desire to get out and about, you ought to read this.
Kaleva
Mar 2020
#67
If we don't get there quick we're screwed, we have no way of knowing who has it because
uponit7771
Mar 2020
#12
Yeah, good luck with business as usual. What a pity the others you contact may not be so lucky.
58Sunliner
Mar 2020
#92
Trump-Republicons own this and own tRump. All of it. They voted, enable & protect him
Bernardo de La Paz
Mar 2020
#8
It would be interesting but I think rump is too stupid to do plan something like this...I think ...
SWBTATTReg
Mar 2020
#61
Don't fk with rich peoples' money. Bernie Madeoff is in prison because he stole from the rich.
OMGWTF
Mar 2020
#54
The overriding purpose of christofascist government is security for the select.
Thomas Hurt
Mar 2020
#27
You calling this cluster with Jared assigned now, to what half the roles, a government?
Brainfodder
Mar 2020
#28
My GF's daughter works at a movie theater that serves food. (fill in your favorite theater)
Javaman
Mar 2020
#29