BRIEF WISHES

“If someone wanted a test right now you can get a test ” is the stated magical laser light show in the latest remarkable remarks by our leader in yesterdays briefing.  The spokesperson from CDC had to clean it up after the test comment, if you “need” a test and not “want” a test.  He stated that there are enough tests to cover those showing symptoms and those who have been in contact with someone that tests positive only at this time, if everyone conforms to the guidelines. (good luck).  Trump has stated he does not like increased testing, as it’s a reflection on him, because testing will show all the cases and increase to the numbers.  Selfish behavior?  In the best interest of the public?  Dangerous, in that you don’t know where to stage resources.  Oh, I forgot, he has offloaded responsibility on the states.

The continued conflating per capita tests with total tests.  When most of the hospitals that treat the virus, meat packers, and others have employees tested daily. The light show was trying to take a victory lap for failures.  When asked by a White House press pool reporter, why he keeps comparing testing by nation?…and why does it matter? Trump gruffly replied, “ask China”.  An internal memo of prepared talking points for the President stated- in order to distract from the issues of his pandemic response, blame China any time you have an opportunity.  Look over here the laser light is now green!

In reference to China Trump stated he wanted a trade deal, but they wouldn’t do it and seemed to be upset about the lack of a deal.  The other deal that could be in jeopardy is the 10 billion dollar oil deal with Saudi Arabia.  The Saudis will be looking for items to cut from their budget, due to the prolonged nature of low demand for oil, due to the world sheltering in place and thus, a low price for crude.

By Trump comparing the United States to South Korea testing numbers, with the U.S. having 2 times as many tests is a moronic comparison considering we waited 60 days longer to recognize any need for testing and S. Korea started immediately in January, when we both had our first cases.   Trump’s test concern was not till mid-March.

We are far short of the 900,000 tests/day recommended amount to be a safe by most experts. We are currently at only 300,000.  The virus is most contagious when asymptomatic, and with the logic of the CDC, Ms. Miller in the White House would not have been tested, if she were in a normal workplace and thus putting all employees she would have been in contact, at risk.  The White House position on testing and opening the economy is moronic.

A much better way is to compare death rates per million.  The South Korea and the United States had their first cases on the same day, yet the death rate for South Korea is less than 5 deaths per million population (256 deaths/51.7 million) and our death rate is currently over 242 deaths per million (80,000/339 million).  That’s how we actually compare.  The United States has a death rate that is over 48 times more per million. This is all brought to you by our great leader, as stated by the briefer, who spoke after the Trump statement in which sounded like he was forced to read a ransom note.  “We have met the moment and we have prevailed” acting like we won on testing.  POTUS made the statement as if it were like a Mission Accomplishment moment.  With less than 5% of the world’s population we have 25 % of the cases and almost 28% of the reported deaths.

38 days ago, the CDC asked everyone to wear a mask when in contact or near others.  It was today, 38 days later the White House issued a directive that anyone in the White House must wear a mask (with exceptions dictated by POTUS).  Do as I say, not as I do!  Trump has not worn a mask due to vanity and disregards his own safety to look macho.

The obvious ploy is to blame China, smear Biden, lean on immigration, keep repeating the term “Obamagate” without stating any crime or subject, in an attempt to divide a nation in the time of a pandemic crisis, with the death toll approaching a 911 event every day.   All this insanity, in the name of politics over public health?  Hope is not a strategy. We need a clear leader. Instead Trump has provided a crisis of competence and not leading, but offloading responsibilities and trading in his own swill.

How is Trump actually going to have his message “A transition to greatness” be a campaign promise?  This with the promise of an upturn by the third quarter and a rocket ship like recovery in the first quarter of next year. 

The show was a hostage note reading, followed by someone that made sense by contradicting the POTUS in real time, followed by a session of avoiding the question, interdicted with slams on the media. 

JUST THE LIES

To capsule the lies, let’s look at the lie he told in order to brag about how well he performed.  Trump said the most important measure is the death rate and what “we should be judged by”.  We have a lower positive rate, with this metric than 6 other countries, but a higher rate than 131 other countries shown by deaths per million,  than in Korea.

The next lie was that total numbers of cases are going down. This is false.  Trump’s own task force reported a spike in rural areas.  He also stated children were in the clear from the virus, although technically true, children that have had the virus are getting a rare condition, as a result of the after effects of the virus and some have died.

His next lie is, we have tested more per capita than any other country.  Iceland, Canada, and Germany all have higher per capita testing. 

OTHER WISHES

Five western states have requested 1 trillion dollars, as a result of damages due to the pandemic.  Nevada has the majority of its revenue go to zero, as a result of closing the casinos.  California, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington have all suffered.  Consider both California and Colorado’s tourist industry, and service industry employees.

Trump has again said he wants to temporarily stop payroll taxes.  These taxes support Medicare and and Social Security.  Someone also said he was floating a lump sum payment idea to replace Social Security? The reason I question this is the sum stated was $10,000.  When I retired, the SSA had a report that stated I had contributed a total of $93,000.  I don’t know if that was my contribution or the employers, in addition to my contribution?  All these stupid ideas are now being floated with the excuse of helping with the payment for the increased debt he created. 

He and the Republican Party have always been willing to starve social security and enrich friends, which is being accomplished by adding 3 trillion dollars of debt? The 3 trillion dollars does not include the added 4 trillion dollars he is loaning and granting companies at 0% interest, with no oversight.  What could go wrong when you print 4 trillion dollars without going on the books, and give it away with no oversight.

When it comes to the Russia probe he is attempting to use the O.J. Defense “If it doesn’t fit you must acquit”.   With Trump saying there is some kind of “Obamagate” and is unwilling to even come out with any assertion of what the charge is, means he has another laser light show in the works concerning Obama.  He is pulling out all the stops with McConnell criticizing Obama’s telephone conference, wherein he called Trump’s response to the pandemic “chaotic”.   Romney came out and said Trump’s assertion of a resounding victory on testing is “nothing to celebrate”, in light of his initial response to the pandemic.  It is clear, in the beginning up until and including today, he is more concerned with his personal gain, the election, the stock market, and the economy, than public health.