Coronavirus: Political Issue or Public Health Issue?

From almost the beginning of the coronavirus invasion in the US, our president in name only (PINO**) has treated it like a political issue, not a public health issue. Some others are beginning to see the same thing. The Washington Post writes:

Analysis: Trump and Bolsonaro see coronavirus more as a political hassle than a public threat

The Western hemisphere’s two leading nationalists sat for an ill-fated dinner this month in Florida. Days later, it emerged that a number of those present at the meeting of President Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the former’s Mar-a-Lago resort had tested positive for the novel coronavirus strain that’s ravaging the globe.

Scrutiny immediately fell on the health of Trump and Bolsonaro. In a dizzying chain of events, Bolsonaro’s son appeared to confirm his father had tested positive before denying it. The spokespeople of both presidents insist that neither has contracted the virus despite their repeated proximity to those carrying it. Both have remained in public view: Trump appeared on packed stages with his lieutenants while Bolsonaro joined large rallies and shook hands with supporters.

Their seeming nonchalance in the face of a global pandemic is part of a shared political disposition. Both Trump and Bolsonaro are frustrated with the measures being pursued within their countries to reckon with the spread of the virus. They are fearful of such policies’ impacts on both the economy and their political futures. As the crisis unfurls, the two leaders have taken a backseat to more proactive state governors and mayors. All the while, they have fanned the flames of self-aggrandizing culture wars in the shadow of the pandemic.

The PINO wants to relax social distancing and other anti-virus measures in a couple of weeks to get the economy (and his re-election) revved back up. It's hard to know if that is premature. The experts seem to say it is. But as we all know, our great PINO knows more than all the scientists, generals, negotiators and everyone else put together. Things are getting interesting.

 

** President in name only because he is an illegitimate president elected by the electoral college with illegal interference from Russia.