Countdown 32 Day Election

 California 2 days until early voting   

TRUMP’S COVID-19 VIRUS

Trump had plans for two big rally’s in Wisconsin this week.  This when the Wisconsin hospital system is being overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients.  Cases have spiked in recent weeks and hospitals are transferring patients to less crowded facilities.  Health officials tell those who participate calling for “maximal” social distancing. Wisconsin has had record numbers of cases, hospitalizations, ICU entries, and deaths.  Some hospital force to wait-list or transfer patients as the surge continues.

A new study found that President Trump is the leading driver and single largest perpetrator of disinformation concerning the Covid-19 virus.  The study in the NYTimes showed that of nearly 38 million articles analyzed between 1/1/2020 and 5/26/2020 in traditional and on-line media found that 1.1 million articles contained misinformation.  Of the misinformation cited Trump was found to be directly responsible for nearly 38% of mentions within the misinformation conversation.

  Researchers found the primary topic of misinformation were on miracle cures like disinfectant injection, bleach, UV light and anti-malarial drugs.  The study found:….”the day after Mr. Trump floated…the idea that disinfectants and ultraviolet light might treat Covid-19, there were more than 30,000 articles in the ‘miracle cures’ category, up from fewer than 10,000 only days earlier.”

The spread of disinformation destroys the formal discourse.  Trump is running against truth and mudding the water for the purpose of confusion.  This has the effect of corrupting the process and has individuals turn off the rhetoric and it discourages participation in the process.  Will his actions keep voters at home?  is that his objective?

Trump’s supporters have been primed to reject defeat as being somehow rigged.  The election may not be finalized on election night, will Trump declare victory and mobilize his white supremacy groups? 

Because of tribalism, everyone anyone knows only sees their candidate as a winner they do not know anyone in the other tribe as they see each as the enemy.  And when the other wins it is hard for the other side to see how they could have won.  This is how Trump sees his constituents as individual dedicated to him with blinders on.  And with his lies he can mobilize his army of sycophants to his side.  Stockholm syndrome comes to mind.

Trump and the first lady went into quarantine protocol due to Hope Hicks being symptomatic and testing positive for the Covid-19 virus.  Trump acknowledged his exposure and potential infection in his initial tweet.  Latter it was found he and his wife have tested positive.  Hope Hicks has been traveling with Trump and the first lady at the campaign events.  Hope was close contact with family members and staff during debate prep and on Marine 1 in the close confines the helicopter.  Incubation period is 48 hours to up to 14 days before symptoms so quarantines should last at least 14 days.

Trump, his wife and everyone traveling on Air Force 1 and Marine 1 should be tested. Good luck having Trump following any rules, norms or suggestions from medical professionals.  Trump does not care about anyone but himself if he goes out and exposes everyone around him and testing positive?  If he continues making campaign stops for the next 14 days you know the answer.  There goes Trump’s aggressive campaign travels for the next two-three weeks.