Trump Owns COVID, Part Two

Are you in a Green or Yellow state?  Didn't think so.

A few weeks back I read a post from a FOT (Fan of Trump) who claimed about Trump’s handling of the coronavirus: “He did the best job he could.”

In reflection, they’re probably right.  Consider Trump’s track record prior to his ascent to the Presidency” failed casinos, failed airline, failed university, failed marriages, Trump Steaks, Trump Wine, etc.  Consider his failures during his tenure at 1600 Pennsylvania Blvd. - no new border wall, no new health care plan, the tax cut that only helped the already-rich, trade deals, lowering the debt, economic growth, rebuilding infrastructure (I laughed so hard when I typed that one), never playing golf (he really promised that - no, really), and of course, he never prosecuted Hillary Clinton.  And etc.

So it’s no surprise that he “did the best job he could” because Trump always does a horrible job.  In fact, some suggest that Trump’s involvement only makes things worse, hence the #ETTD meme (everything Trump touches, dies).

In the case of COVID, it’s literally true.

It STILL takes an average of three days to get results of a COVID test here in the US.  You know what can happen in those three days if an infected person who doesn’t know they’re infected goes out and makes contact with another person or persons.

You should know.  It’s happening now.

Why, after nine months, are cases surging?  Again (or still, if you prefer)?  Part of the answer lies in WHERE cases are surging.

First, look at the world’s cases.  You can see that the daily count has done NOTHING but go UP, UP, UP.  And is rising.  But in many countries there is not much of a spike.  They are almost “normal” with school, sports, economy.  They still are seeing cases, but not to the extent of other countries like Indi and Brazil.  Where there are spikes are places where lockdowns have been lifted or where there were few restraints to begin with. 

Here in the US, it’s pretty much the same.  Those states that imposed harsh lockdowns in the beginning, had mandatory mask and social distancing requirements, and instituted other measures are faring better than those states who responded with a big “meh.”  That the states currently spiking most are led by Republican Governors who may or may not be following the example of “Dear Leader” I leave to your own judgment.

One other factor that cannot be ignored:  The stupidity of people.  Here in Oregon, a state where strict measures were taken early and our case and death counts are low compared to the rest of the US, we’re still seeing increased cases and deaths.  I am not surprised, because even now when I go to the store where masks are MANDATORY I see chin masks and hanging masks and a “so what” attitude.  I read local posts on social media where people “defy” the rules and claim that they’ll never wear a mask or keep their distance.  I know of events where 10, 20, 40 or more people gather, without masks, without social distancing, DEFYING the virus to strike.

Sometimes, the virus ignores all that and strikes anyway.

And let’s not forget the other “cost” of COVID – it’s not just about cases and death; it’s its toll on people, on their livelihoods, on their lives.  Nothing is normal; businesses are closed or restricted or bankrupt, schools are online mostly and there are reductions in all sorts of activities, our social lives have been upended, the arts suffer, families suffer, jobs are lost, people are struggling, and there’s no one out there who thinks 2020 is the best year of their lives.

And the President dances.  He disses Fauci and other experts (“People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots,” he said on Monday.  He retweets shit from QAnon.  He promotes “Proud Boys” and other white supremacist groups.  He promotes Fox News programs (which he frequently appears on by phone).  He holds super-spreader events rallies and leads chants of “lock him/her/them up.”  He continues to profit from his campaign and his presidency while all the while saying he’s losing billions and only paying a pittance in taxes.

He lies.  Continually.  Constantly.  About anything and everything and things he doesn’t even need to lie about but he does because he lies about everything, every time, every day, everywhere.

And he downplays the virus.  He’s claimed it will “disappear” (sometimes magically) 38 times.  We’ve been “rounding the corner” for a long time…almost as long as that two week period that he was supposed to release his health care plan.  Of course, all of that happens after Infrastructure Week.

And the GOP supports him by making it harder for Americans to vote to get him out of office.

And millions of Americans support him because they always vote Republican or because “Joe Biden is worse” or “Joe Biden is a pedo” or “Where’s Hunter” or “…but her emails” (seriously – I saw a post the other day that claimed no Democrat is worthy of office because Hillary was evil or something yargle bargle). 

In the face of all of this, COVID will continue to get worse.  More cases, more deaths, more hardships for millions.  The President does.  Not.  Care.  It is what is it.

So we’ll vote his ass out.  We’ll vote out anyone and everyone that’s supported his sorry ass these last four years.

And then, on November 4^th, we’ll see.  And wait.