Actually, there is pretty good information that shows we simply weren’t prepared. The failure to stockpile adequate ventilators, masks, and other equipment goes back multiple administrations. The mistakes regarding test kits were made by agencies whose staffs are career government workers and are not aligned with political parties. We weren’t prepared to make rapid social changes in our free society quickly enough based on initial reported low numbers of cases. Some governors around the country are still dragging their feet. People charged Trump with being racist for instituting the travel ban on China. I think Trump has been more miss than hit in the way he has handled this, but lack of supplies, lack of test kits, and the normal inertia of our society pretty much assured that we would be way behind this thing from the start.
Ultimately, Trump is POTUS and therefore accountable for what happens or does not happen on his watch.
but we are the usa. How do we not have a cache of all critical items for things like this? I keep seeing that moment in the movie armageddon when Bruce Willis cant believe there isn't a better answer. “ you are nasa. Don't have people sitting i na room just thinking shit up? This is the best you could do???”
The guy has been in office for 3.5 years. It's up to him and the people he hired to make sure we are prepared and there is no proof that another administration wouldn't have responded better. For the first month trump basically ignored it and pretty much said it will just go away and we will be fine. Fast forward to today and we are not fine. trump failed.
Oh come on. Obama was in office for 8 years and did squat. Same with Bush. Nobody paid much attention despite warnings.
Obviously, now we would all agree. Human nature is to do nothing until you get burned. We’ve been burned big time now.
yank, you’re a diehard Dem and I know that there’s no changing your mind, but I am equally convinced your opinion would be 180 degrees the other way around if this had happened on Obama’s watch. Would Obama have done better? Yeah, I think so. He may have lost three months waiting to form an international coalition to deal with the problem though. I don’t think anyone could have made up for the CDC and FDA issues, and I think there would have been a huge resistance to isolation policies much sooner than they were ultimately imposed. It’s an inherent factor in our free society that we resist intrusions on our freedom.
Respirators sent by feds don't work. Maintenance contract expired last summer. A US official called Thailand seeking supplies. Thai official informed him that the US had sent those very supplies to Thailand. Millions of masks manufactured here are being sold abroad. A White House spokesperson said the reason Florida has gotten all the supplies they asked for while harder hit states have not is because Florida is critical to Trump's re-election. So please no bullshit about how it wouldn't matter who the president is.
I don't totally disagree. My stance is; speaking in absolutes that can't be substantiated don't really help anyone. Nobody could have done any better vs. Anybody could have done better. In all reality, I don't know if I could have done any better or worse? I would like to think so, but there are so many factors. You laid a lot of those factors out eloquently.
I could see how this article sounds reasonable and then I realized orange man is bad and he is punishing some states cuz he can. Forget the numbers in the article that seem pretty fair based on population. Nope, Trump is mean.
My personal opinion, and feel free to ridicule me for it is that this entire things comes across as a complete lack of preparation, and then inability to create a reasonable, thought out plan. Yes I’d say Trump is part of that but it seems to be at all levels of government. No ones prepared for anything massive to happen. There are no contingency plans. It’s the virus, its the economy, its the hurricanes weve seen it over and over for years no matter the administration. The economy buckles, whats their response? Oh we had no idea that was a possibility quick lets all make sure help out the corporate overlords, push our political agenda’s and then talk in circles everyday. Ive yet to hear a person in our political leadership at any level spell out a clear concise message for what they’re plans are going forward city, state or feds. Even the supposed shut downs and stay at home mandates are filled with confusion, and “are we essential”, why is x essential but we arent, its just seat of the pants were throwing stuff out there EVERYDAY thats not really coherent with anything else weve said. People are praising Coumo and a few others because they’ve eloquently said nothing, but it sounded good. The whole ordeal to me shows just how little thought our elected officials have put into, “what if’s”... How ill-prepared they are, how inept their ability to formulate plans, and communicate those plans with their people. The economy is in free-fall because the markets have complete uncertainty, people are in fear for their lives, their livelihoods, and there loved ones, because really not any of these people are apparently up to snuff for leading their constituents through tough times. I understand the jobs they have are hard, that people die and the economy does things outside of their power, but IMO whether its “testing”, or treatment, or stay-at-homes, or even the economy there has been a failure across the board to come up with, and present plans for how to deal with it. I dont at all put it all on Trump. I do however believe he hasnt acted like he’s equipped to handle it, either. In fact whats got me more frustrated is the huge corporate bail out theyve done with COVID19 as an excuse. This isnt really directed at you bodyman, just in general.
Of all the things that are essential, I'm essential? I fix wrecked cars. With the shutdowns happening, rental cars are just sitting. There aren't enough wrecked cars for all the rentals.
In 2018 National Security Council reported to White House that pandemic could wreck economy and US was unprepared. Nothing was done.
The lack of adequate stockpiles does look like it is a problem that was pre-existing. However. First, Trump's been in office 3 years already. That's plenty of time to build the stockpile and make plans. He can't blame the lack of preparation on prior administrations. It's all on him. Secondly and much more importantly, we could have fixed the stockpile problem after we learned this pandemic was coming. We had time. We didn't do it, because Trump didn't order it done. And even worse, he still hasn't. As of this week, US manufacturers are still shipping PPE overseas. Because nobody told them not to. barfo
That's because he's running the country like you would a reality tv show. Just say shit and people will ignore it because boobs.
At least Obama's people would assess and decipher information. I believe Obama would have understood the situation from a global view and make a pre-emptive plan way ahead of what "the circus master" Trump bumbled through. To Trump, a fantasy about being in a church on Easter Sunday was valid, during this shit storm, after Fauci; "the" medical expert explained the serious path of covid-19. The problem with Mr. Trump is that he is a cardboard profile that has to propped up. You always think a line of bullshit will come when he speaks. His arrogance turns me off. He speaks to people like they are a voting number rather than a fellow citizen.. Trump insulted a reporter who wanted his explanation of how to address the needs of the feared public. Trump knew he was not an election vote.
I've said this many times before, but unfortunately many people still assume that I'm a Dem simply because of my obvious disdain for Trump...but that's not true. I've also voiced my opinion about our dysfunctional 2 party system, so I guess I fall somewhere in the middle and I'd rather have a POTUS who is somewhere in the middle. 1. I'm not a "die hard Dem" and I don't label myself a "liberal" even though my view on some topics may be viewed as such by some, while conversely, some of my views would be considered conservative...and I certainly was not a Hillary fan. 2. Bernie and Warren were way to far left for me and Biden was not my first choice but if it comes down to him vs Trump, Joe will be my guy come voting day. 3. And my opinion about Trump dropping the ball by failing to acknowledge and act on this virus and ultimately being held accountable for his inaction, still stands.
