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Politics isn’t my thing, so I’d like to say that right off the bat. It’s a topic of conversation I’ve stayed away from for most of my life, but this country needs a reliable leader who’s competent, communicates efficiently and is ethical — at the very least.
President Donald Trump isn’t that leader, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic taking more and more lives each day.
Renowned journalist Bob Woodard spoke with Trump in February before the first COVID-19 related death was confirmed in the U.S. At that time, Trump already knew the severity of the virus, saying it was deadlier than the flu and “tricky” due to its airborne transmission, yet he downplayed the virus as millions became infected and hundreds of thousands died.
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made its initial recommendation April 3 for the public to wear cloth or face coverings, Trump said it was going to be a “voluntary thing.”
“You can do it. You don’t have to do it. I’m choosing not to do it, but some people may want to do it, and that’s OK,” Trump said. “They’re making a recommendation. It’s only a recommendation.”
Although mask wearing has become extremely politicized, a study published in Nature Medicine this month asserted that wearing masks may possibly save well over 100,000 lives through the end of February 2021.
More than 227,000 COVID-19 deaths and more than 8.85 million cases are evidence of the consequences of downplaying the severity of a deadly virus. Not only can the president not protect American citizens, he can’t even protect himself.
Trump announced he tested positive for COVID-19 in early October and went on to spend four days at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C., after being treated with various medications including remdesevir then after being released from the hospital, he once again dismissed the pandemic by telling Americans “don’t be afraid of it” and saying he felt “better than 20 years ago.”
Two words: tone deaf. And it must be nice to have 24/7 access to health care and experimental drugs, all while recovering in a luxurious presidential hospital room.
If the President of the United States downplays a global pandemic even after contracting the virus himself then what is the public going to think? On Oct. 17, only 12 days after being discharged from the hospital, Trump held a campaign rally in Janesville, Wisconsin in Rocky County, which recently reported its highest levels of COVID-19 cases
The desire to hold public rallies, disregard the health recommendations of experienced scientists and go forth with business as usual, are irresponsible, selfish and deadly concepts for Trump to grasp. Pushing aside the pandemic along with the heartbreak it has caused millions of Americans, is not the act leadership but rather an act of irresponsibility.
Those around Trump have also tested positive for the virus including First Lady Melania Trump, Barron Trump and his top aides like Hope Hicks and Stephen Miller. Despite experiencing the virus firsthand, Trump has focused his attention on discussing anything other than ways to flatten the curve. Instead he told the public he is a leader for simply going to Walter Reed, noting nobody would have done what he did, which is a load of baloney (bologna if we’re being fancy.)
A leader puts others before themselves, but Trump has failed to take the necessary actions that he should have taken in the initial stages of the pandemic. As a result, this country and its people has greatly suffered.
He has mocked the necessary restrictions and guidelines set in place by the country’s top health officials, and even mocked Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden for wearing a mask during their presidential debate.
The health and safety of those living in this country should be a top priority for America’s leaders, but unfortunately, it isn’t for Trump. He is not the leader this country needs or has needed. My hope is that this pandemic does not continue to define our country more than it already has and we come out of this political nightmare stronger Nov. 3.
Isaiah Ramirez may be reached at [email protected]; @_IsaiahRamirez1 on Twitter.
