Originally posted on June 18, 2020
After China told the world about the new virus in December 2019 many governments started to take actions that would help prevent illness and deaths. Unfortunately, the U.S. wasn’t one of them. The one constant theme through this entire situation is that Trump’s main concern was his re-election in November, not the welfare of the citizens. Here’s a timeline for January.
Early January. The emergence of the coronavirus starts to get mentioned in Trump’s daily briefing. By some reports, at least on 12 separate occasions.
January 18. While golfing at Mar-a-Lago Trump is given his first detailed briefing about the virus.
January 20. The CDC confirms the first case of the virus in the U.S.
January 22. Trump’s first public mention of the virus. Asked if he was concerned he replied: “No, we’re not at all. And we have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China.”
January 23. China locks down Wuhan.
January 24. Trump tweets: “China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus.” The CDC announces it has developed a test, different from the one published b the WHO.
January 28. Trump holds a rally in New Jersey, not mentioning the virus.
January 29. Trump announces the coronavirus task force. A memo from trade advisor Navarro warns that immediate action is needed to prevent a pandemic that could kill between 1 and 2 million U.S. citizens.
January 30. The WHO declares the virus is a “public health emergency of international concern”. The word “pandemic” is not used.
January 31. Fauci says there’s no doubt that asymptomatic transmission is occurring.
By this time any competent and caring leader would have at least started not just planning – that should have started years ago – but getting policies and procurements in place to make sure we were as prepared as we could be. At this point Trump shows no sign that he cares one bit about the virus.