Trump’s presidency has been a plague long before the coronavirus.
122
Mr. Pence,
That's no squirrel, it's an eagle!
Could the arrows hold the cure?
23
"Caronavirus"...coronavirus...spelling... science.
30
Where is the discussion of Pence's horrible handling of his state's HIV epidemic? Why should we trust him?!?!?!?!?! NYT cmon, give at least more concrete background as to why we should be terrified and why EVERYONE needs to vote for whoever the alternative to Trump is.
53
Marsellus:
You ain't got no problem, Jules. I'm on it. Go back in there, chill them viruses out and wait for The Pence who should be coming directly.
13
I don't know if I am laughing through the tears or crying through my laughter.
We have an Alpha lemming in the White House and a science denier in charge of a global pandemic.
It is time to send in the clowns.
81
Covid-45.
40
“Today I’m asking every American to cross your fingers.”...and also point a finger towards the White House and ask: what kind of virus has attacked this mansion on the hill!
21
The virus arrives in the US, DJT passes it to pence to handle and he (DJT) will be playing golf by Saturday- Sunday latest.
I am not sure what is more pathetic
1. That DJT is about to throw pence under the bus
Or
2. That DJT’s followers actually believe he cares.
He doesn’t!
Vote in November 2020 like you life depends on it!
Because it does!
48
An insult to upstanding virus everywhere...
15
With Mike Pence at the head of this, we don't have a prayer:-(
27
Today's New Yorker cartoon shows Mike Pence speaking from behind a podium. The caption reads...“We remind everyone that the first defense against this outbreak is vigorous hand washing and repentance.”
26
Should have named the virus 'Covfefe - 19'. Now that is something Trump really knows everything about.
24
Don't forget it was Steve Bannon's brilliant idea to kill off the "Administrative State" in the federal government. I used to smirk at such an idea, now with this crisis, Steve Bannon's policy plans are coming into clear focus. Heck of a job you stable genius!
34
I’m surprised he hasn’t figured out how to blame this on Nancy and Chuck
19
It should be renamed Covfefe-19.
15
Trump is the ONLY president who can make a deadly virus a red state vs blue state thing....
Remember in the movie "The Terminator" Reese yells to Sarah Connor about the dangers of the cyborg: "It can't be reasoned with, it can be bargained with, it doesn't feel pity or remorse"...Well, this president is incapable of empathy, pity, and is basically a rogue cyborg...
25
Mike Pence just sees a pandemic as another step in the prophesy toward his evangelical Revelation end times fantasies.
35
Great title. If ACA becomes Obamacare, Coronavirus should become Trumpvirus.
34
Great column!
12
"Health officials will have to coordinate all statements about the virus with Vice President Mike Pence."
- NYT, 2/27/20
Everyone brace yourselves for Xi Jinping-style government communiques about this virus from here on out.
Ms. Collins, thank you for the excellent gallows humor.
28
Poor Democrats, they have to hope for a Virus to win. No worries, DJT will be gone in about 5 years...
11
How about we not attach any political, social, or racial stigma to the Coronavirus?
Calling this virus Trumpvirus*, which originated in Chinese wildlife markets which would be illegal in the US, and has reportedly infected less than 100 US citizens worldwide, is as preposterous as calling it "Mulanvirus."
I'm guessing NYT would refuse to carry an opinion piece stigmatizing any other person (save for Xi) or nation for the virus, yet, here we are.
* I'm a lifelong democrat opposed to Trump's politics and his "policy positions" regarding healthcare.
9
I don’t have a problem with religious people praying to stop the virus. I have a problem when this is our first and predominant response to a crisis. Get to work on things that we know will help first! Then pray to whatever deity suits you. I have zero confidence that Pence will do this.
Trust in God, but tie your camel.
104
Gail: If the virus hits our brains, we are counting on you to keep us sane!
9
Great - Pence, who doesn't believe in science, will be in charge of a possibly Manhattan-project-sized public health initiative that at the very least would require a college-level grasp of science. Let's all pray for him.
Pleeeeease!!!! Could we just elect Bernie to the Presidency for a little while?
Just long enough to dump some chlorine in the political gene pool? Scrape the barnacles off of the ship of state? Swap the worn out re-treads for a brand new set of wheels?
And he would be way too busy cleaning house in D.C. to try to make Cuba the 51st state.
1
Trumpvirus is a perfect comparator to Obamacare.
6
Very typical trumpian rhetoric coming from the 1600 Pensilvania Ave.
You see how desperate he is to get re-elected, no wonder...
What are his choices...
If justice still alive his next life stage should be spend in jail.
But if he goes down, he will make sure the country will go down with him.
Well, using trumpian lingo: 'will see what happen'
8
Talk about a story that writes itself!
3
Ah, the best gallows humor since yesterday's gallows humor said Trump news conference. It was a laugh a minute especially with the uplifting news of Pence of the HIV run amok campaign will be given the task of keeping all those coronavirus germs away from Kentucky Fried extra gravy leader of infamous Twitter antics. If there is even a smidgen of justice in the world, those pesky germs have their suitcases packed and are headed to a tour of the White House ASAP.
11
President Trump will attack coronavirus in a systematic way.
Denial -
It's not in America, the cases in America are only 15, and soon it will be 5 and then 3. We are almost ready to start using a vaccine that will be developed in another year. Probably won't spread, although it could, but it probably won't.
Spread the blame -
Democrats are responsible. It's a do-nothing Congress. The stock market is down because Democrats are scaring the public as Bernie Sanders, the Socialist, will crash the markets if he's elected.
Move to action -
Management - Appoint a coronavirus Czar who mishandled the HIV crisis in Indiana. Speed up Spring so warm weather will kill the virus.
Communication - Tweet it's fake news. The virus is weak, sad. Should just go away. And there's no collusion and no obstruction with the virus.
Funding - Ask for less money than needed by taking it away from people who need heat in the winter.
Action - build a wall. If we had the wall completed the virus wouldn't have gotten in.
18
Must read: "Patron Saint of Plagues" by Barth Anderson.
2
The disease killing the USA is the Republican Party. There is no inoculation to cure the stupidity of people that vote to harm themselves.
Guess what, now that China and Japan are shutting down manufacturing, their employees will have nothing to spend on American goods.
18
I love this. And, I would prefer that the spotlight be on: who benefits from having this pseudo-president in office? Who perpetuates this? Who will go to any length to perpetuate it further? And: who has the power, and the courage, to say no to the conservative/libertarian/fascist takeover?
8
And now the New York Times reports that the White House is clamping down on desparately needed information from our U.S. health agencies. They want to review everything in advance because they are worried about the stock market.
14
I don't think that Trumpvirus gives full credit where credit is due. Looking at the stock markets for the last few days, I think we need to declare this a global Trumpcession
10
"Our president had to be going crazy over a problem that involves both declining stock prices and germs."
Oh man that made my day :)
10
Thanks, Gail, for this gallows humor. All this, and now we find out that the new director of national intelligence is an unregistered foreign agent.
9
Gail how many are you willing to let die if it means the end of Trump? Just a number that's all I need.
5
When I heard that Mike Pence had been named by Trump to be the "Coronavirus Czar," my reaction was like the passengers in the movie, Airplane, when a stewardess emerged from the cockpit and asked, "Does anybody know how to fly a plane?"
21
This is reaching an absurd level of 'reporting'. Trumpvirus?
I feel like we are on a schoolyard.
If you bothered to check on actual activities occurring, the government is taking the potential issue very seriously. It's the government so it will mess some things up but you insult people working hard to help the country prepare.
People should be ashamed of their lack of maturity.
8
Good time to read “The Fifth Risk,” by Micheal Lewis.
8
Pence has expertise in health care! Who knew? POTUS stated how surprised he was to find health care sooo complicated. Pence could have been the czar of deniable medical attention. We thought he was only qualified to deny meds to those with HIV.
One of the "best people" being under estimated.
7
I haven't even started to read the column beyond the title and will give my vote of approval. However, may I suggest a better name" Putin's Trumpvirus.
4
And today we learn that all government health officials must clear public statements about coronavirus with Pence ahead of time. This includes the head of NIH and CDC.
No doubt the VP’s office will do some “sanitizing.” After all, safety first in an election year . . . sorry, I meant to say “public health crisis.”
6
Trump hatred became a pandemic even before he was elected.
5
The author might want to read the following from Scott Gottlieb whom scientists recognize as a strong, competent FDA Commissioner. https://twitter.com/scottgottliebmd/status/1232867016991789058?s=12
She might also like to remember Chuck Schumer's comments about President Trump being "racist" for cutting off direct flights in and out of China back before the media discovered Coronavirus as a potential political cudgel with which to clobber the POTUS.
7
So.....how is that wanting open borders working out for the rest of the World?
8
The headline should read:
"If you're feeling better than you did in 2016, who gets the credit?"
TRUMP!
3
After reading Gail's opinion just now, I'm more convinced than ever that we desperately need someone intelligent in he Oval Office and who will appoint highly intelligent people.
I'm going to carefully wash my hands, then head down to early voting here in Idaho Falls and vote for Buttigieg.
12
Majorly disappointed here that Jared Kushner was not named the 'virus czar.' His record of achievement is impeccable.
13
So why not Jared??? Come on.
6
coronavirus - 5 beats..Trumpvirus- three awkward beats. ..Why can't a professional writer come up with something better than 'trumpvirus"??? It totally fails all tests for good writ.. Even DonaldTrumpVirus would be closer to good wordsmithing.. And as Trump has so well taught us, good wordsmithing means a lot..Oy veh..
1
Had to take a Valium after reading Gail Collins Opinion today....but very glad she wrote it! The idea of appointing the science denying VP to head the U.S. response to the virus is just another ignorant decision by Trump.
13
Trumpflu...has the ring of honesty. Something new from this administration.
1
Don’t worry: we have a failed casino pitchman making the decisions about a pandemic.
Nice work, Trump supporters!
(slow clap)
8
What swells up when you have the trumps?
4
Virus? Shmirus!
Bank Of America just declared that the US economy is weaker than ever - since 2009! https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-27/bank-of-america-says-world-economy-weakest-since-2009-amid-virus
Now that's got to be worrying Trump!
Sure hopes he diverts more CDC money to that Wall or it's not going to be built.
That just kills me!
8
You’re missing his brilliant strategy— by misspelling it as “ Caronavirus” he can say with a straight face “ no cases of Caronavirus have been detected in the USA since I appointed Mikey to fix things”
5
Maxwell Smart's Cone of Silence has descended over the WH.
4
How PERFECT is that?! After all, everything that creep touches seems to fall ill... or die. So why not??
"TrumpVIRUS"...I plan on using this, Gail. Thank you!
4
Please Gail and the rest of the NYT, please keep on this story so that Trump cannot hide the actual facts about this virus and his awful response.
5
Can we rename the virus Covfefe in honor of Trump?
9
God help us all
7
Excellent column, Gail. This administration's corruption and incompetence are doing great damage to the nation. The fundamental ignorance underlying the White House response to the Coronavirus threat is likely to lead to widespread infection and unnecessary death.
6
On top of the other great comments that make us laugh, when we're likely scared into buying more bottles of acetaminophen than we can use before their expiration date, is the personnel mention. So, it's still put the guy with the problems to head up "personnel".
3
I would feel more confident if trump did come out and ask every American to keep his [her] fingers crossed. It would probably be the most honest thing he said in his life. Certainly running Indiana was [is] a challenge. However, the idea that every statement made pubic must pass through Pence does not give me confidence in the honesty and integrity of Pence or anyone else in this administration. Here is what Pence is really well at doing. He will go to his evangelical church and pray as hard as he can. His congregation will ask God not to fail Pence. His job may be on the line,
4
People who are actually qualified for positions in this administration need not apply. Their mere presence underscores Trump’s total ineptitude.
4
China and Iran are under reporting. Is the USA even testing for this Virus? If not then no cases will show up, even if lots are sick with it. Just testing those that are from China isn't enough now that it's in so many different nations. I think the USA is willfully clueless about the scope of the Pandemic. Yes it's a Pandemic no matter the cherry coating going on at WHO and CDC, They have become politically sheohorned to stave off bad press in the Markets so the Money players in the Gov'ts could say Nothing bad here, move along with the money flows. Well with borders closed, and Chinese production delays lots more than just a market correction is going on behind the scenes.
I've written science fiction short stories about Pandemics, studied the science behind them, means and methods to get the science thinking as good in my mind as I could, The USA is woefully clueless.
5
Putting Pence in charge of dealing with the coronavirus is a face-slapping insult to all doctors, scientists and epidemiologists, and will potentially endanger every citizen of the United States.
13
I'll bet Trump thought it clever to send the infected Americans from China and Japan to liberal California. Unfortunately, It seems that our financially gutted and demoralized federal health agencies are so poorly managed that they are demonstrably responsible for breaking protocol and introducing the virus into the general California population - our most populous state. Trump couldn't have FUBARed this more.
4
Trump’s performance, and a performance it only was at the Coronavirus news conference yesterday seemed so pathetic to me I just kept thinking the most basal thought: “weird, just sad, weird”.
4
Churchill offered the British people blood sweat and tears at their lowest point in World War Two. Trump today offers us idiotic answers to almost any problem we face. How can anyone continue to follow this fool?
6
--and people voted for this, and are gearing up to do it all over again.
The dark ages, part II.
14
Those suffering from TDS are breathing heavy on the hopes that America's economy will tank, a pandemic will kill thousands or some other terrible event will hurt as many Americans as possible. Those suffering from TDS will assert that Trump supporters are suffering the most, so deserve what they are getting.
It is the only way Democrats have of winning elections in 2020, and anything is worth it to them to defeat Trump.
Too bad they don't come up with a viable platform that appeals to voters and/or a candidate that is acceptable instead of wishing ill for Americans and positioning them to blame Trump.
4
I first thought this column was a bit harsh considering the seriousness of the subject. That was before I learned that Pence has decided to muzzle the experts by making all media requests go though his office. I guess we can't have those eggheads stealing Donald's thunder, or even worse, telling the truth. Even when I try to give this administration some benefit of the doubt, they never fail to remind me that they don't deserve it.
9
For sometime now I have dreaded the thought of our country having to face a national crisis while Trump was in charge. This looks like it.
5
Memo to Trump supporters: Elections have consequences. Elect a glaring incompetent and those consequences will be bad in proportion to the severity of the problem at hand. In this case, that means bad enough to be lethal, maybe even to you or me.
If this does not get your attention and make you think twice about the choice you made at the ballot box, there is no hope for you.
6
Gail, I hearken back to the 2016 presidential debates, when Hillary Clinton incredulously asked whether anything bad that ever happened while she was Secretary of State could be blamed on her. And Trump said "yes."
So should we blame Trump for Coronavirus? Yes! You didn't even mention that he cut 80% of the CDC's global pandemic funding (including the person who worked with China). So is he to blame? Yes! Maybe we'd had have a shot at containing it if we had actually kept the people whose job it was to deal with these issues, you know, employed. But no! He made the decision for more tax cuts, fewer doctors and scientists. So yes, call it the Trumpvirus. #Trumpvirus 2020!
5
Is it not possible for all of us to just this once throw political differences out the window and try to work together to address a common threat to our society. Is it not possible to stop the name calling and denigrating everyone who does not think exactly like you do. This virus appears to be no respecter of persons, race, creed, nationality or sexual orientation. I think it was Ben Franklin who once said ..."we shall all hang together or shall all hang separately". Give all the back biting and name calling a rest and just see if maybe this is still one country or if it really is time to give up trying. This virus may be the litmus test.
4
Thanks for this one, Gail. You're making me smile, again.
No small feat over these past 3-1/2, nearly 4 years.
I pray for the speedy containment of CoVid-19, of course, and pray especially for anyone who contracts it and may suffer serious illness or worse. A truly terrible thing.
What is also truly terrible is at this moment to have a science-denying and more than once, an anti-vaxxer citizen turned Commander-in-Chief who is now just understanding the true toll of influenza.
May the vast majority of us survive this 'presi-duncy.'
3
"Trump's COVID-19 press conference was incoherent and contentless. Shouldn't that be news?
For anyone who actually watched Donald Trump's yet-again-bizarre performance in yesterday's supposed COVID-19 press briefing, the takeaways were predictable—but unambiguous. Trump gave approximately zero actual information, other than announcing Mike Pence would be in charge of it all. If anything, and as usual, Trump un-informed the public about the spread of COVID by making bizarrely false claims about the borders and arbitrarily declaring there to be "15" infected patients in the United States, despite the actual known number being, at the time of his speech, at least 60. Everything else was generalities of the usual Trump sort when he has no actual information to convey, and has had no interest in collecting information that should be conveyed." from Daly Kos and any person who has been reading other newspapers. trump doest not know what to do, but Pence is now the fall-guy for any virus-related issue. Al Pence wanted was to be President. For a while.
4
You would think someone with some medical experience would be the Czar. A. St. Bernard has more medical experience than Pence.
Could be our stable genius is setting up Pence for a fall. Say if Buttigieg were to get the Democratic VP nomination then the VP debate would be Pence/Buttigeg.
If I were Trump I would keep the St. Bernard in the wings.
2
Reason Pence was chosen is Trump knows full well that this Virus is going to end in a complete and total mess and he needs someone to blame. This way he not only gets to deflect responsibility from himself but gets a reason to fire Pence and bring in Nikki Haley as VP.
2
Pence prays alot--so we're good.
1
Considering the state of healthcare in Indiana, we should all be nervous. Anything Trump does is bungled. And Pence is just Trump’s puppet.
3
Trump has made a big mistake, giving an incompetent he can't fire a super-high-visibility job to do, and praising him to the skies in advance.
I look forward to hearing, "Heck of a job, Mikey!"
2
I missed the academy awards. Was the president (l.c. intentional) nominated for best supporting role in the JOKER?
3
"Chances are, if the president is encouraged to mix the subjects of coronavirus and Mexico walls, he’ll suddenly announce that we need a barrier much bigger and thicker and more expensive, so it can stop the flow of immigrant germs."
Corona - Virus? And immigrant beer?
1
Will the new germ "...barrier much bigger and thicker and more expensive...", be paid for by the Chinese, California and New York or tariffs in general?
Will the new 'Minister of Information' of the Caronavirus,
Mr. Pence call it a hoax? Will the members of the new Space Force drop what they are doing and work on quarantine spaces?
Asking for a friend.
2
Why Pence?
Prediction: Pence will announce, six days before the election, that huge election districts, yet to be determined due to ongoing polling, will be required to self-quarantine. You're imagining the cancelling of the Olympics? Think bigger, worser. As usual, the Republicans, who can't seem to avoid projection, announced it themselves yesterday- claimed the Democrats are weaponizing the virus.
During last nights press conference, one could see trump chomping at the bit trying to mentally calculate how much of that Coronavirus money he could transfer to his build the wall fund, that wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for.
3
So lets see, according to Donald Trump, the way you control spread of COVID-19 is to control messaging about COVID-19. Sounds like what China tried and we saw how that worked out. Besides if Pence is not successful, he just gets the boot for the 2020 election.
2
I don't read the op-eds except those written by Margaret Renkl. Gail Collins tries to be funny but she isn't. Thomas Edsall used to be good but lately has gone downhill. But I do read the headlines and the some of the comments. So now if I don't feel well, I can blame Trump. He is responsible for coronavirus and my not feeling well, global warming/climate change, the destruction of the environment, human overpopulation, all of the racism, sexism, islamophobia, transphobia, homophobia in the country. He is responsible for all the horrors in the U.S. and the world -- wow (!) he certainly is quite powerful -- he must be a god!
4
Almost since Trump's inauguration I have worried about what happens in the event of an authentic national crisis when successful resolution depends upon trustworthy leadership. We might be on the cusp of finding out.
What we have in the White House is a commander-in-chief who:
1. knows next to nothing,
2. evinces no interest in learning anything, and
3. tells documented lies roughly 18 times per day or in other words, whenever his lips move.
When the real guano hits the fan (looking at you, Dow Jones), the country turns its anxious eyes to credible, in-charge leadership of an authoritative figure. In such a time, the last thing needed is an unbelievable authoritarian charlatan playingthe role of president on TV or a second-in-command whose most salient talent seems to be groveling.
We voters had better get down to serious work before this coming November 3rd.
8
“First criteria for every job in this administration is capacity for praising the gloriousness of our commander in chief.” This is all I could think about when I listened to Wannabe-King Donald’s press conference, but you express it so much better than I have.
I was waiting for “No one know more about viruses than me” when my jaw literally dropped at his amazement upon learning about the death-toll of seasonal influenza.
How many have to suffer to teach his “base” (such a good word for them) that his interests are not theirs? Perhaps this deadly cloud will prove to have a silver lining.
1
I wonder if it has occurred to our "very stable genius" and germaphobe president that his expensive, ego-massaging rallies in large stadiums, where hundreds of people line up overnight, at times in inclement weather, should be canceled for the rest of the year? Or could his plan simply be to convince them that "caronavirus" is a Democrat hoax? Just asking for a friend. . . and the host cities still waiting to be reimbursed for debts incurred when the snake oil salesman came to town.
3
“I think the financial markets are very upset when they look at the Democrat candidates standing on that stage making fools out of themselves,” Trump told reporters. "
Because he knows the Democrats will win in November, because he has been making a fool of himself for years.
2
We are well past the B team on anything. We are almost to the Z team of incompatents
2
Mike Pence as CoronaCzarist in chief!
Until it is someone else?
To say all of Trump's major Admins are "acting" is ever truer. They are but poor players, strutting and fretting their hours upon the stage.
I can't wait until they are heard no more.
1
You and your children and grandchildren will be ashamed of this column someday. It both exposes an irrational hatred for one man and makes a joke out of those actually suffering from the Coronavirus. Remember what one brave soul said to Joseph McCarthy all those years ago.
3
I’ll only call the virus that if we are fortunate enough that Trump catches it.
2
Not to worry, Gail.
Trump will just pluck his alt-reality magic twanger and the coronavirus will vanish into an alternative universe—in a time long, long ago and a galaxy far, far away.
Trump’s alt-reality magic twanger team should be headed by a grifter nearly as notorious as Trump himself. I suggest Trump appoint his former head of the Department of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, M.D., to take charge. Dr. Price is an old sawbones. Who could be a better virus stamper-outer?
2
Trump is cunning and self-serving. Pence is the fall guy who will be blamed if the virus grows big in the US. Opening the path to Trump to get another person on the ticket, like a Trump-loving woman.
1
LOL'ing at my desk. Thanks Gail! I needed a good chuckle.
1
Azar said it was "genius" for Trump to pick Pence for this when he learned he had been put on the shelf for someone with zero medical expertise to take over.
Uh, why?
Sounds like he knows Donald just threw Mike & Mother an anchor. Maybe he'll offer Roger Stone the VP spot.
2
Now that everyone is reassured and seeing the virus as a good thing that will, ahem, bring jobs back as Ebenezer Scrooge informed us. Sorry, I meant to say Wilbur Ross, not Ebenezer Scrooge informed with his secret formula for financial greatness, a pandemic virus. Lets collectively in our minds hold hands and sing a song of praise to our fearless leader. How about, 'My Corona' that parody of 'My Sharona.' Or just sing along with the original Knack tune, smile and know you're making America great again!
1
Wilbur Ross is still alive?
With any luck and lots of Trumpian incompetence, the Coronavirus can change that.
2
"Stop the flow of immigrant germs"; thanks so much Gail for doing what you do best: taking a hopeless situation and making it truly hilarious!! The next thing you know, Trump will mandate that no one can appear in public if they are not wearing one of those (totally useless for viruses) paper face masks. Oh, actually that won't happen until he can figure out a way to make money from their sales...
1
WHO really missed its chance. "Covfefe-19" has a certain cachet about it.
1
Heard a South Carolina minimum-wage -earning waitperson on NPR yesterday say she doesn’t have health insurance. When the reporter reminded her that she could get insurance via Obamacare, she said she doesn't “do anything Obama, ” but she seemed positively giddy to announce that trump is gonna win the election.
Deliver me!
4
If the virus spreads like wildfire, for the sake of public health, we may have to declare marshal law and postpone the election...
C'mon, no more tepid accusations, let's go all in and blame Donald Trump 100% for causing the coronavirus, this month's End of the World. Cross your fingers, Democrats, perhaps your long-predicted and prayed for global meltdown will finally occur and take out the GOP. Then again, you're about to nominate Bernie, so all bets are off.
3
The truth is the massive international pandemic of Corona virus was exacerbated by the the globalism facilitated by Republican and Democratic elitists. The Common market made all of Europe vulnerable (no borders). The onerous trade deals pushed by both political parties increased our dependence on Chinese manufacturing to enrich tech, finances and banking.
The world is flat and Corona virus is rolling with no boundaries.
2
I wonder if it has occurred to our "very stable genius" and germaphobe president that his expensive, ego-boosting rallies in large stadiums, where hundreds of people line up overnight, at times in inclement weather, should be canceled for the rest of the year? Or could his plan simply be to convince them that "caronavirus" is a Democrat hoax? Just asking for a friend . . . and the host cities still waiting to be reimbursed for debts incurred when the snake oil salesman and the carnival came to town.
1
1. Bernie will be 83 by the end of his first term, if he wins in Nov ;
2. to so openly root for the coronavirus in order to hurt Trump seems unbecoming.
6
You know, it may be better to just leave the tweeter out of it and just get on with the realization that we've been on our own for the last three years.
But, given the market's reaction in the past week (which, admit it, was what really got the media's attention along with Trump and everyone else), I get a nagging feeling that there is an element of panic at this. Maybe it's simply the rational acknowledgement of the dire effects on world trade in general and China's market in particular. But get the feeling that, for a number of reasons, the markets were looking for an excuse for just such a correction. While Trump jumped on it turn it on his enemies, it's not that far fetched that, given the growing likelihood of having a choice between Trump and Sanders would set a lot of people's nerves on edge.
6
I think that Trump appointed Pence to coordinate and be the head of the Administration's actions to combat the coronavirus because he is expecting things to go very wrong and he will have somebody to blame.
If it goes very, very wrong, Trump will have the perfect excuse to run for re=election with another VP. Maybe Ivanka?
After this article was written I read in the Times that a whistleblower denounced it started to go wrong already.
7
Gail, thank you for re-sharing the Ken Cuccinelli twitter debacle. I was worried about a minor medical procedure on Monday, ran into that Twitter timeline, and...well, laughter is the best medicine, so maybe we should all arm ourselves with a screenshot of the responses...
3
I don’t understand why the youth of the men in the Personnel office is really such an issue. The gambling problem guy is one thing, but maybe that college senior proved his worth? We should be encouraging younger participants like them and AOC, not just assume they’re going to fail with inexperience. Even if it’s the Trump administration.
Pence, the guy who exacerbated an outbreak of HIV in Indiana because he was "morally" opposed to needle exchanges.
Good thing Corvid-19 isn't spread by anything Pence considers "immoral".
140
@The Poet McTeagle maybe coughing during the sermon or sneezing. Then we are toasted.
1
The Vaxxers meet the Corona Virus. Oh, my.
9
Trumps plan is that there is no plan! Just like his plan for every other major issue. His go-to son-in-law, Jared, must have been too bored with the virus to head up the task force, so it went to anti-science Mike.
The Country’s in the very best of hands.
9
Corona beer actually works a vaccine if you drink enough.
9
True enough.
I’ve been drinking 2 a day (ok, 3) since this whole thing started. Not so much as a sniffle.
BTW: same thing works with gin and tonic for malaria.
3
Hey Republicans, how are you going to sell another trillion dollar stimulus package on top of the annual trillion dollar deficit you currently have? Let me guess. 8% GDP growth, guaranteed!
6
Two items:
The virus should be named the "Orange Coronavirus" to perpetually honor the imprint of our Earless Leader.
And someone has to workup a parody video of "My Corona" featuring the whole rogue's galleries of incompetents..
9
The vitriol and ridicule which together serve as the leitmotif for this column and for most of the comments here is experienced not by Mr. Trump or Mr. Pence but by the thousands of hard working, dedicated civil servants at the CDC, HHS and State Department who have now been tasked my Mr. Pence to coordinate the US response to the potential dangers from this virus.
I think that Mr. Putin must really be feeling good, having so thoroughly poisoned the US political landscape and brainwashed a good portion of our electorate who never seem to tire of criticizing and mocking our government
The irony is that Mr. Trump will have the last laugh after he is re-elected in November.
8
@David H
Putin will really get a kick out of the administration's decision to muzzle the experts...
3
Enough is enough. My God, some of these journalists need to reel it in. It's gotten way out of hand. Trump is not responsible for the world's problems. But I suppose if you are living in a bubble you may start to think that way.
11
Trump has picked Pence to be his fall guy if the coronavirus becomes a problem for Donnie. He can then kick Pence to the curb and bring in Nikki Haley as his new VP. I bet Trump wants Pence to fail.
11
On a positive note I hope you didn't miss this morning brilliant segment.
'To Kill a Mockingbird Day'
http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/nyc-hosts-free-to-kill-a-mockingbird-performance-for-students-79532101924
18 thousands students had filled Madison Square Garden yesterday.
Felt really good all day.
4
I have a sick feeling that this administration’s answer to the coronavirus will solely amount to distributing boxes of tissues with the MAGA slogan on them at Trump pep rallies.
8
On top of all this, hurricane season is just around the corner and with above average sea temps (curse those Chinese and their global warming) it's likely to be a bad one. So the stable genius may be dealing with multiple crises at once.
7
Trump is busily lining up people to blame when the outbreak hits the US and makes him look bad...which is his only real concern.
6
Now there’s someone to take the blame when people start dying.
3
The Orange Bug (TOB)
4
Good idea, but I propose the "Trump-Xi" virus.
3
Anything and everything President Trump does is ridiculed. He is trying to fight this coronavirus and doing everything possible to stop this disease. He has appointed people to help with this task and has approved any amount of money and whatever it takes to succeed. He wants to wipe out this terrible disease and will leave no stone unturned to do so. Let’s give him some credit and not scorn for his efforts. He deserves nothing less.
9
@KMW: Trump fired competent people and cut scientific medical research. No credit where it’s not due. Fire this fake president and replace him with a real one who takes science seriously.
6
Seriously? The only thing trump cares about is himself and how situations reflect on him. Having disbanded teams of experts who are trained to deal with health crises he now puts in charges people with no health experience....ah, maybe they stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. The sad reality is that we should all be very concerned that this grifter has our lives and well being in his hands.
6
@KMW
Wrong.
Appointing a person who actually caused an HIV epidemic in his own state while governor is not "doing everything possible".
Dissolving the CDC team and replacing it with nothing and cutting its budget is not "doing everything possible".
Calling your health and human services guy "too alarmist" is not "doing everything possible"
Doing juvenile stand-up schtick while giving a press conference full of inaccuracies is not "doing everything possible"
9
I love seeing Pence in the background, stone faced, mind racing as he imagines being president ... maybe over the next 10 months Trump slips into '25th amendment' territory or starts a war so they win the election but then Trump really goes nuts ... or ... or ... the stuff of a bad movie.
7
Not to be a nitpicker, but not only was Pence the governor of Indians, but deemed by most, including his voters, to be responsible for an extremely large, containable HIV outbreak in his state due to his religious beliefs that inspired him to outlaw needle exchanges and defund Planned Parenthood where testing is affordable.
Now Pence is not only in charge of coordinating the so called response, which will not be timely enough to bring back the personnel, positions or money trump withdrew in a fit of fiscal anti-Obamaism, but will be the person to determine what information comes out from actual scientists compelled to get his permission.
This is exactly the kind of management that has made the world skeptical of the information coming out of China, although they are probably now more efficient in coping with an outbreak that was believe it or not caused by a virus and not Pelosi and Schumer.
12
@pixilated
Hmm. The rate of HIV infection is far higher in NYC, with its progressive Democrat government than it is in Indiana. If Pence is responsible for HIV infections in Indiana, are Bloomberg and De Blasio, along with Cuomo, about to be run out of the state on a rail?
Blistering stupidity, Trump to the bottom.
Actually, Trump IS the bottom.
16
One serious flaw we have in this country is that millions of people here have no ability to take off even one sick day and still pay the bills. Nor to take off a day to care for their children if schools close. Poor and low-income working parents who develop a cough will come to work, as they always have, because they cannot afford to stay home. Their children will stay home without care or with inadequate care. Many will have no or unusable health care due to unaffordable copays. This will expose the holes in our system.
28
Those same people can’t afford to stock up on weeks worth of supplies ahead of time, either. There’s going to be much suffering just from the lockdowns.
10
@Motherhawk Isn't it their own fault they didn't inherit millions of dollars?
1
We saw 2 G.W.'s: one responding to 9-11, the other not responding to Katrina. Ironically, this is an enormous opportunity for Trump in an election yr, but he would need a whole different M.O.: taking charge, consulting health professionals, talking to Reps and Dems about how to get a bipartisan package of emergency measures quickly through Cong, consulting past presidents, staying on top and acting with authority and gravitas, showing true understanding this is a national emergency requiring dedication, unity, urgency and leadership only a president can give. The chances? Sadly, unless you're into schadenfreude, there is probably only one Donald, politicizing, underestimating the seriousness, passing off on leadership, failing to empathize w a frightened public, prioritizing golf and instinct over boning up on serious issues w professionals. For this reason, it's a greater danger to his reelection than any Democratic opponent, because if there is one thing the public won't tolerate, it's a commander-in-chief derelict in duty during a national emergency.
15
Yeah, it's good trump has the democrats' debate to blame for a virus that started oh, about a month ago and roiled the stock market before the debate as well. The democrats probably eat bats, too.
And trump's great friend, Xi is [now] doing a great job; arresting people will surely cure the virus.
No big deal anyhow. Soon as it's April and warmer, the pandemic will just disappear. Never mind that there are cases in very warm places.
Just throw the sick some paper towels, they'll be right as rain.
And then there's always Obama to blame, too.
36
@George Dietz Don’t forget Hillary!
2
Corona might turn out to be the "electable" we were looking for.
8
I know I will sleep well tonight knowing that our wonderful Vice President will send all his thoughts and prayers to all the victims that contracted this virus. It is comforting to know that he has a lot of experience making health crises monumental.
24
@Gaby Franze
Isn't it a conflict of interest to put someone who so very much wants the Apocalypse and 'Second Coming' in charge of preventing it?
5
This is the same guy who once said that smoking doesn’t deaths...really!
3
Appointing Pence is irresponsible. He stated on his website that smoking doesn’t cause death and he’s reaction to hiv during his tenure as a governor is appalling.
25
That’s what you get when all decisions are made according to religious doctrine, not facts.
Pray. I have no problem with prayer if it is in addition to proper research, medical care and public health measures. Prayer should not substitute for this however.
Trust in God but tie your camel anyway.
4
HaHaHa! While laughing my way through your Opinion, I came to a sobering halt by our newest health protectors in the Presidential Personnel Office ; specifically John McEntee, 29, previously fired from an earlier White House position due to a "gambling problem and tax issues", and the help he will be getting from an even newer 23 year old undergraduate appointee. You add, "Together they're going to be cleaning house, getting rid of folks" who are not loyal enough to the president... or maybe just not young enough. I felt sick immediately.
At this point, laughter may truly be our best, and only medicine.
13
Nope, it's Trumpitis -- inflammatory disease of the mouth and twitter fingers. John Bolton didn't do us any favors by getting rid of the response team to help with this outbreak. And, btw, I'm not buying his book. I'll read it for free later -- won't take long.
15
With the shortage of N95 masks from China, perhaps we could remove the brim of the Chinese made MAGA hat, staple a cord to both sides....there’s no shortage of these around.
13
It's a side effect of globalization. I wonder if the virus is selective or is equal opportunities one.
6
Donald's public persona rests almost entirely on the largely fabricated notion that he is an economic powerhouse. He will protect this image at all costs. For an extreme narcissist, handing the spotlight to someone else is highly uncharacteristic. The only thing that would cause Donald to cede the spotlight is if his image as economic genius were under threat. Trump wants no association with the virus and stock market correlation. Pence is nothing but a shield.
14
Trump's wrong about where Americans will stay when traveling. After the last almost four years I personally will never give any Trump business a dime. How very like him to look for a benefit in the misery of others.
14
We have a president with no interest in science. He has defunded public health and has a history of muzzling scientists within his administration. This is scary
23
@Frederick
No, no, please understand its quite the opposite!
Trump has a "natural instinct" for science, so everything is going to be just fine:
"My uncle was a great professor at MIT for many years. Dr. John Trump," Trump told the Associated Press. "And I didn’t talk to him about this particular subject [of climate change], but I have a natural instinct for science."
Does the U.S. even retain a Surgeon General anymore? According to Wikipedia, the individual is named Dr. Jerome M. Adams. I would have expected the "Nation's Doctor" to weigh in on this situation.
12
"At least Trump didn’t come before the cameras and announce solemnly, “Today I’m asking every American to cross your fingers.”
But that's precisely what he did.
11
To be fair, if we elect people who hate "government" and resent it when anything is asked of them, then why expect anything but incoherent nonsense.
15
Forget getting help from our President, Vice President or anyone in the administration.
They are all infected with denying science.
Trump gutted the CDC and the scientists working there. We all have insurance in case we need it. We may not always use house insurance or even health insurance but it is there in case of an emergency. Obama left people at the CDC and the NHI to work on pandemics. Of course Trump got rid of them.
Trump basically got rid of our nation’s insurance policy to protect us.
This is a travesty beyond words.
Thank you, Mr President our “stable genius”.
13
Oh, but we don’t all have insurance. And some of those who do can’t afford to use it.
4
When you guys, at the NY Times, go so far over the top, you sacrifice your credibility.
You're starting to be viewed as a really bad comedy team. You think you're funny, laughing at your own jokes, but no one else is laughing. Your routines are old and stale and, frankly, never were funny.
You might also send Bloomberg a similar message. Flooding the airwaves with this constant flow of ads is just annoying. Every time one comes on, I change the channel.
You keep saying the same thing over and over and over...it loses its significance and validity.
18
@Peter Rasmussen
Nope. With trump it’s a new story every day.
5
@Peter Rasmussen
NYT knows an opportunity when it sees it. It never misses a chance to go for that "Trump bump."
2
Yes, I'm scared. We know full well from the last three years that nothing that comes out of Trump's WH is trustworthy. Now, we are in a place where misinformation can actually cause people's death. Trump and his Pence will put a spin on it for his self glorification. Who cares what happens to the public.
Trump proved it with his Sharpie pen stunt in Alabama..... and NOAH bowed to him!! That's even scarier. Let's hope the CDC will not do likewise as Trump/Pence minimize risk and do not take necessary steps or put up needed resources to contain this virus.
10
Pence doesn't have anything else to do! (as DT pointed out)
3
The irony of this situation is amazing. The “leader” of this country who is so afraid of people of color that his main priority is to build a wall to keep them out. He has taken allocated funds from the Center for Disease Control and the Health and Human Services department to build his glorious wall. Then there is a viral outbreak of corona virus that is too small for a wall to keep out, but could be alleviated by the scientific knowledge of the CDC and HHS, but they now have no money with which to conduct research into a cure. The further irony of this situation is that this particular virus is more deadly in men over the age of 60. The same demographic that is responsible for the destruction of our planet and its resources. Who says Mother Nature does not have a sense of humor?!
11
So if the boarders were closed or at least policed and laws enforced would that help keep this and other virus at bay? The mere fact every democrat wants wide open boarders and unfettered illegal immigration into the states is the real problem not a president who wants immigrants to go through proper screening.
2
The developments of today lead me to believe (as a physician with considerable public health expertise) that the leaks in the dike can no longer be plugged. The case in California, without known contacts, will soon be the rule and not the exception. I think the odds are very high this infection will sweep globally and, since none of us have ever seen it before, infect 2-3 billion people. Many will be mild infections, but the 1-2% mortality figure, even in high income countries with access to ventilators, will likely persist. There will be an associated massive economic disruption; imagine the effects just closing schools will have on the ability of parents to participate in the work force.
On a positive note, air travel and manufacturing will plummet with a resultant drop in carbon emissions that will put us back on track to meet all the goals of the Paris Accord and more.
In another 1-2 years we will all either have immunity from the Covid-19 infection or a vaccine will be available and we will get a return toward normalcy. Hopefully, this will have been accompanied with a societal awakening that those who disregard science and promulgate falsehoods cannot be allowed to lead major industrialized countries again.
Final advice: please get a flu shot if you haven't already; it will make you less likely to add to the upcoming burden of citizens seeking health care for symptoms identical to Covid-19. Secondly, get a Pneumovax 23 strain vaccination if you are over age 65.
18
I figure this COVID-19 virus will - in time - be hailed as a great opportunity for the US after reducing the payouts for Medicare and Social Security.
Sadly I increasingly feel as if I'm witness to the last days of Humanity. There are SO many huge issues that we are simply ignoring while laser focused on helping the obscenely wealthy make even more money.
We seem intent on killing ourselves off.
16
In light of the less than stellar Democratic debates, I reached the conclusion that COVID-19 is the *only* thing that can save us from a Trump reelection. Isn't that sad?
5
How many "insured" Americans will not a visit doctor with flu/COVID-19 symptoms because of the high cost of their health insurance's outrageous policy co-pays?
9
The CDC has been muzzled. No communication that does not come from Pence.
Frightening times.
23
@Patricia
The US is following the successful model pioneered by China.
All US policy is now management of perception. Repeat what you want people to believe over and over - hoping people believe you.
11
@Patricia
Or, apparently, Hannity.
That Pence took a meeting with Hannity only, to discuss what he would say on his FOX show ... man, that gives me "1984" / "Hunger Games" type shivers*.
(And no, CoVid-19 not taken root in Wisconsin ... yet.)
1
The bad news: At the very lease it's likely to be months before the Coronavirus crisis runs its course and many more after that until the US and other economies and stock markets begin to recover.
The good news: the Democrats will defeat Trump in November by repeating and repeating and repeating Ronald Reagan's memorable question during a debate with Jimmy Carter:
"Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"
11
This will hardly be the world destroyer people fear. However, the fear seems real and that will likely be disruptive. I think it is telling that everyone is panicked. I have always thought the religious were religious because they were extremely obsessed with and in fear of death. It seems to be true.
Even more hilarious is the fear in our leaders. They pretend to be such fearless leaders but they are really showing their true selves. False bravado and no actual real information, however the strain is obvious. The germaphobe in chief is so upset he had a press conference.
I love that the stock market is tanking. If we lost two percent of the world population where should the stock market land? The financial geniuses have no idea. I'd love if we could get some to jump from the fourteenth floor.
4
It’s not so much the virus itself. It’s the disruption caused by shutting down business, travel and schools. The working poor are going to be hammered by this. They do not have the resources to sit idly at home waiting for this to be over with. Many of us work paycheck to paycheck, and those of us in the gig economy have no sick leave and little savings. When we don’t work, we don’t get paid. How many people will be pushed into homelessness because of this? How many will lose their car and thus ride to work? How many will go hungry? Somehow I don’t see this administration doing anything to alleviate this problem.
10
Trump just telegraphed his Nikki Haley VP option. If Pence doesn’t get great press for his efforts, he’s fired.
10
Trump appoints Pence to head up response to the coronavirus. Not because Pence has an M.D. or D.O., not because Pence is a scientist, not because Pence knows anything at all about the subject matter, BUT so that the CDC and all government entities have to make statements through Pence, which only Pence (read: Trump) can approve. Trump must control (read: distort) the dialog. Perhaps another whistle will be blown.
21
I’d love to laugh along with some of the lines in this article but I can’t. It too horrifying and sad. Just make sure not to miss any episodes of The Walking Dead.
10
Trumpvirus is spread by Republican corruption of the electoral process, as well as Trump/GOP denial of the rule of law and the Constitution. Our political system has never been under greater threat in its entire history. The only cure truly is a massive voter immune response to overcome massive voter suppression and Russian election interference on a grand scale.
16
TRUMP TO CUT HEALTH PROGRAMS TO PAY FOR CORONAVIRUS: Trump health secretary Alex Azar is testifying on the administration's budget before a House committee. Azar's Health & Human Services Dept. said yesterday it will pay for the coronavirus response in part by cutting funds from other health programs, including one that funds winter home heating assistance for the poor. Other cuts target mental health and substance abuse treatment and the Aging and Disability Services Programs. HHS does not need Congress's approval to transfer the funds.
11
@Patricia
How about we simply cut military spending?
or is the intent to let Covid-19 rum amok to reduce social Security long term costs?
4
Talk about shooting ourselves in the foot! Cutting off poor people’s heat when a lot of them are going to get sick. Do they think freezing will kill the virus?
I wonder how Putin feels about about Trump appointing a Czar ...
102
@Retep Cire. It’s probably why, after Obama appointed an Ebola czar, Putin chose to mess with the 2016 election under Obama’s watch.
1
"Thoughts and prayers"……….
There you are America -
Feel better now ?…………..
24
It appears that the NYT, Pelosi, Schumer, and the rest can't get past their hatred for the president to even consider helping never mind doing what's right.
The president will easily be re-elected and most people commenting here will be upset and frustrated when the US citizens speak at the voting booth. It's coming!!
Thank you President Trump for opening the eyes of this ex-democrat!
29
@dp One does not need to hate someone to be concerned about their ability to deal with certain types of difficult situations. The Trump administration has largely downgraded U.S. readiness for a pandemic over the past three years. Pence has been party to that, and has also never shown much respect for science. While the Trump team may still rise to this challenge if it becomes a full blown pandemic, past history strongly suggests that they are ill prepared to do so.
78
@dp I think Schumer offered a ton more money to help fight the pandemic so I don't think you can say they haven't considered helping.
40
@dp
You mean, it's not contained?
24
Consider this Trump dropping: Thousands will get sick and several hundred - perhaps thousands - will die. All to embarrass ME.
Now that's a virus.
12
So the "very stable genius" in the white house has appointed a christian fundamentalist who does not believe in evolution tonight the coronavirus. Modern biology is rooted in evolution, if you don't believe the science how can you head the scientific team to fight a biological virus?
As governor of Indiana he made the AIDS problem worse by his policies.
How can anybody with one functioning brain cell have listened to that diatribe and thought, he knows what he is doing. The president has gutted the government agencies designed to protect US and replaced them with unqualified loyalists whose only job is to protect the idiot in chief from bad press.
Nice job GOP
30
@David Meli No, you underestimate them. They are systematically gutting their agencies, driving out those career people with knowledge of subject matter. That way the agencies are effectively abolished.
That is all part of Trump's campaign to make the USA broke, ungovernable at home and impotent abroad.
Putin must be so proud.
9
San Francisco responsibly called a state of emergency over the Coronavirus. How many cases in the city? Zero.
Democrats and Nancy Pelosi are on their knees praying for a massive outbreak. They need a collapsed economy and massive illness for critically needed help in the 2020 election. Let’s all bow our heads and pray for an actual epidemic instead of the 60 known cases, most of which came from a cruise ship.
Also, please ignore the two arrests related to the virus, a Harvard professor, who was well paid in Wuhan, and the smugglers who tried to bring the pathogens to the US in their luggage... is this an intentional event designed to create panic?
10
@Laughing or crying? Reference please. How did the smugglers transport the virus or did they deliberately seek to infect themselves? Who is the Harvard professor? What was he doing in China during the school year? Curious minds want to know
5
@Laughing or crying? Ah yes, zero in The City. And we can ignore that one case in nearby Solano County in someone who has not traveled abroad or been in contact with anyone known to have traveled. I'm sure the virus wouldn't dare leave the confines of Solano County and jump over to S.F.
This is just ridiculous. Nobody wants a massive outbreak. We all live here too, remember?
Perhaps they should name the new virus Covfefe-19. Then we'd know the president could spell it.
15
Amusing satire to show the complete inanity as well as predictability of this White House's responses to crisis.
12
A Pence for your thoughts.
Sad.
6
Don’t worry . We can erect a tall wall to prevent immigration of these illegal viruses.
11
Why such distrust in the judgement of a President...Duly Elected....as the GOP are fond of reminding all of us? A President with an Administration with an over 80% turnover rate? The most divisive President in our History ...who has rolled back laws protecting the environment and taken military funding for a Wall only he and his supporters want....that Mexico was supposed to pay for? The Founder and Creator of the Illustrious...Space Force! Come on America...Trust...look at how easy the Trade War with China was won!! He can't have over 6o million Fox Nation Citizens supporting him for...NOTHING? That couldn't be possible could it?? Besides..way in the backs of all of our minds we all ...all know...this issue as all others have been blown out of proportion by the Fake News Media..the Do Nothing Democrats, James Comey...and somehow.. Hillary Clinton is involved...we all just know it !! That Deep State....always finding fault with our beloved Supreme Leader!! Why Worry Be Happy....VOTE BLUE...NO MATTER>>>WHO !!
18
Armando Iannucci’s next project for HBO: Prez
you are the epitome of leftist attitude. Trumpis great and leftists will be defeated 2020. Good Bless the USA
13
@lieberma. Not sure what makes you feel better today than three years ago. Explain? I am curious.
Is this the new thing to "take down Trump" or the new thing to allow the poor "woke" liberals who know Trump "cheated" his way into the White House to get their "revenge?" The NYTimes has taken their marching orders from the democrats for years and now finds they have nothing to offer. No great candidate, no great ideas and only the hopes of a tired old socialist who thinks Cuba has a great government. Cuba is simply two ignorant brothers who have destroyed their country so they could like Kings. They both need bullets, not praise. Go ahead on your path to political insignificance as Trump will win 4 more years, continue to improve the country and improve your lives even when you hate him. Yes, we need a wall when the virus is coming from south of our border as we have really bad border security. Trump has reduced the wave of the lawless and hopefully the completed wall will restore our precious border. The new judges will help stop the liberal judges Obama plagued the country with as well and fix the Supreme Court for 50 years. You got nothing, Republicans take control to stop the liberal ignorance. Period!
14
@Bill Virginia what wave of lawlessness? Fewer mass shootings? Nope. Not sure of the improvements. Can you provide some specifics?
3
Yeah, he’ll “improve” our lives by freeing us from the burden of actually being able to purchase health insurance despite preexisting conditions. Y’know, now would be a great time for that better, cheaper healthcare that would cover everyone that Trump campaigned on. Having uninsured & underinsured people in the country assures that we have a pool of people, some of which will get infected and not get proper medical care in a timely fashion. Some will die unnecessarily. Many more will transmit the disease to others. This is an excellent example of why everyone needs healthcare, including undocumented immigrants. Communicable diseases thrive when a portion of the population cannot access care.
3
@Bill Virginia: You just energized a lot of people to vote Blue, no matter who! And who bothers with the tired old “socialist” label that Republicans attach to anyone who actually wants the best for common Americans instead of the 1%?
Did you see the videos and photos of the sick patients and body bags in the hospitals in China? The people who took these photos and videos reportedly disappeared after their 'transgression' was discovered by the government. Well, wasn't this 'state sponsored health care' for all the world to see? It didn't look very assuring to me. It looked overwhelmed. We also read stories written by brave Chinese people of their 'fights' to get their sick loved ones a hospital bed vacated by someone who had just died of the coronavirus. These are just tiny glimpses of an authoritarian system which supposedly dispenses healthcare 'equally'. Is this the kind of healthcare the socialists like Bernie Sanders aspire to give us in this country?
5
No.
6
@CA-Renee false equivalency. There are many other models other than the US or China ones. Most have better outcomes than either
4
You think we will do better, with large numbers of people who have no insurance or too little insurance? How many of those will wait and continue to spread the virus because they can’t afford luxuries like doctors and hospitals?
And I hate to break it to you, no system, be it state run or free market, is set up to handle the huge spike in illnesses from a new epidemic. No system has that much excess capacity just sitting there waiting to be used. This exact same thing will happen anywhere the virus breaks out.
3
Pick the actual response from the administration to the Coronavirus:
A) Triple-prayer breakfast organized by the Vice President to combat the virus' spread.
B) Total ban on importation of all Corona beer from Mexico by the president.
C) Continue to gut our nation's preparedness by eliminating government experts because of some mystical GOP belief that people in government are inherently evil, even though they themselves are in government.
The answer is C. But A and B can't be far behind.
621
@Turgid
I was certain it had to be C!
11
Really. Why’d he fire people and cut so much from the CDC then? Seems like a very poor decision at this time.
5
@Turgid Nor can you be sure that A hasn't actually happened.
4
With the Coronavirus, Trump has finally met a problem he can’t solve just by tweeting insults at it. It’s Trump’s Katrina, except that it makes Bush’s response to Katrina look like intense, compassionate engagement by comparison.
Stay safe, everyone. With luck, we may outlive this presidency, and elect a REAL president in 2020.
932
Check out Andy Borowitz in the NYer this morning, Constance Warner. He reports that your president is working to come up with tweets so insulting that covid-9 will retreat in shame.
p.
40
@Constance Warner
To do that we need real American voters. Not the kind who prioritize sports watching, video games, target practice drinking and gambling. Aw gee, guess I'm no fun! when I want US citizens to choose between some hard work educating themselves about the issues versus watching their country go down the tubes. And when their tax break last year defunded the CDC, I guess those voters were penny wise pound foolish. I hope they will redevelop wisdom in 2020, but I have my doubts.
39
@Constance Warner The GOP has been at war with the USA's founding philosophy Secular Liberal Democracy (SLD) for decades.
The GOP fights against modernity, equality and autonomy of person, and just about anything that makes life more bearable for MOST citizens.
Things like better environment, infrastructure, education, and public health are secondary to them. Indeed they have been working ferociously to weaken/dismantle the organizational entities that oversee or address those things.
Beyond that the GOP has abandoned truth and honor.
Really the GOP is an enterprise obviously committed to transforming this Nation into a Theocratic Authoritarian Plutocracy (TAP). Winning elections to achieve that is paramount to them. Trump is the vehicle they've dreamed of since RR. He'll drag in voters, create wins for them and himself, and vindictively (not because of ideology) implement their destructive goals.
I know 46% of my fellow citizens think the GOP shenanigans are all good fun (so what!) or otherwise fine and dandy (just the bee's knees!). They are incorrigible. While they are mostly good and likeable people they ARE dangerous voters.
The 54% who intellectually can see the existential threat the GOP poses must start to turn the GOP tide with a D Party vote in 2020. Else we are truly sunk as a SLD.
38
I would like to ask VP Pence which he believes to be more important, the opinions of a cadre of scientific experts or the random opinion of a lone dullard? Also, will your fealty to Mr. Trump blind you from the truth about the virus? Finally, does the public have the right to know what is really happening or is this just another "we'll let you know" if and when we feel like it moment?
6
Gail Collins: This is not the time for your lite scorn; ….
But Gail Collins please refer to Tom Friedman's view of how
to defeat Trump....Just read his recent OP ED....and then
make sense of his thesis;
Otherwise being a wisecracker will only make you Gail seem
incompetent to solve what is seriously at hand; that is this
Getting rid of Trump and Putin; etcetera....Just get more
serious.
'Let’s Call It Trumpvirus'
Disgusting joke. Really poor taste.
11
@ss
I agree.
Trumpovirus sounds better.
"Really poor taste"!
As if anything Trump touches wasn't gilded. As if anything Trump says was true.
Gail brings out the best in people.
4
Yes!
3
It's reassuring to know that VP Mike Pence, who spends most of his time doing a very convincing impersonation of a department store mannequin, has now been named the regime's coronavirus "czar." In part it was because, according to President Fool himself, Pence "didn't have enough to." Well, yeah, being a dummy leaves you with a lot of time on your hands. It's probably not a coincidence that trump's good buddy Vladimir Putin is also a "czar." That's turned out well for Russia, which is now an economically stagnant fascist gangster state. The trump regime's incompetence and dishonesty is simply staggering. Hope we make it to November.
6
Which is scarier?
a. That the coronavirus is coming to our country
or
b. That Mr. Trump is still president with no idea what he is doing; Mitch McConnell is still stonewalling dozens of bills passed by the House to fix our broken country; that no one with an ounce of intelligence, common sense, and integrity will work for Mr. Trump; and that Trump's approval ratings by our fellow citizens went up after his impeachment in the House?
6
I've been feeling awful for three years and one month, and I know exactly who to blame.
3
you know WHOM to blame...
1
Go for it, President Trump! Now is the time to lead from front and erase all negativities.
Covid-19 is an airborne/droplet virus. That said, patients need to be confined in a negative pressure room, and N-95 masks must be worn. Hospitals do not have an abundance of these types of isolation rooms should the virus become pandemic.
Patients that already have underlying health problems (ie: asthma, or COPD, chronic bronchitis, or immunocompromised patients will be at a higher risk.)
Currently, we are not routinely screening for this virus in the U.S. should a patient present with symptoms related to Covid-19, and in addition has been outside of the US (particularly those countries that have an outbreak) in the last 30 days.
I am an RN. I have not seen a case yet, but I do think we need to reflect more on how to contain this virus, and screen for suspicious cases before a crisis inevitably unfolds in the U.S.
Trump has mentioned a vaccine to protect us. He has appointed Pence to oversee this virus. I'm not sure how much Pence understands about the nature of this virus. However, I do know this administration is opposed to universal health care. Only the most fortunate among us will be protected, and that could be uncertain as well. Remember, we are relying on big-pharm to develop the vaccine.
IF this becomes a pandemic, those without health care coverage will suffer. Look at the numbers of the uninsured and the underinsured. The CDC is underfunded. Think about it.
13
@Jackson
Here's what the Executive Summary for the CDC said in 2015 "OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET REQUEST The fiscal year (FY) 2015 President’s Budget request for CDC and ATSDR includes a total funding level of$11,117,194,000 in discretionary budget authority, mandatory funding, Public Health Service (PHS) Evaluation funds, and the Affordable Care Act Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF). This is an overall increase of $310,719,000 above the FY 2014 Enacted level. The CDC program level request of $6,606,361,000 (excluding mandatory programs except the Prevention Fund) for FY 2015 is a decrease of $242,614,000 compared to the FY 2014 Enacted level."
That's $11,117,194,000.
A lot more than 7 Billion and if it's so over-funded, then why is Trump tossing them another billion?
3
You think people who cannot go to the doctor will just magically not spread the virus?
1
The Administration's response to the approaching epidemic is clear, now that all government officials must clear their statements with the Vice President's office: The Federal Government will fight the virus with messaging.
Perhaps they're hoping for a placebo effect.
First they came for the scientists, then the judges, then the doctors...
9
First of all, we are depending on scientists and hoping that those who govern are too.
But in a nation where the Governor of Texas once stood on the shores of the Gulf and tried to pray away the BP oil spill, right along side the ex Governor of Alaska, that hope is problematic.
Now add in the Praying czar Pense, as the Trump selected Virus czar, and you can never be sure whether science will be funded, or used.
12
Google the 1918 Flu Pandemic and then consider the implications of the Coronavirus now spreading globally
The former killed almost a quarter of a million Americans and the world wide death toll was in the tens of millions.
There is and will be no vaccine for this current strain for many months at best. The only treatment options for serious cases is symptomatic intervention.
At the least current knowledgable estimates are that the usual US flu death toll will conservatively double this strain the potential for over 100,000 fatalities.
Trump’s response thus far has been abysmally fractured and fraught with the characteristic Trump penchant for denial and the suppression of the truth about the magnitude of the threat posed.
No time now for tongue in cheek commentary.
2
The virus seems most dangerous to -old men- with co-existing morbidities.
Hmm, wonder who that could be.
10
Undermining the credibility of the government’s response to a pandemic to score political points is dangerous and irresponsible. Please stop and focus instead on what all Americans can do to minimize the impact of this health crisis.
8
One way to minimize the impact of this pandemic is to make sure Americans understand the incompetents and grifters who make up Donald Trump’s utterly failed administration have no idea what to do, even if they cared enough to want to do anything.
1
Please tell that to the administration.
1
"Czar." As the grandchild of Jews who came to the US to escape being murdered by a real czar, I object to that term.
13
Obama invented the American czar.
1
Gotta love Gail Collins.
6
We need Dan Savage on this. We need him to completely rebrand the virus as Trumpitid or whatever make it (the rebranding) go viral (pun intended) like he did with santorum.
2
One positive thing might come out of this. Many people say they will vote for Trump because of the economy. Now the economy is losing much ground and will not be able to make it up before the election. Maybe those people will change their minds.
12
People losing their jobs is not a positive thing.
2
Classic trumpster...minimal concern about people, usual stupidity about politics. Roll on November when we rid the country of this dangerous buffoon and the morons around him.
14
How pathetic. The Democrats can’t beat Trump, so now viruses are his fault. How utterly pathetic.
17
trump will do himself in all on his own unless he shuts up. good luck with that.
2
The virus is not Trump’s fault. His firing of the people we most needed at the CDC to fight this IS his fault. His mishandling of the crisis IS his fault. Hope that tax cut was worth it to you.
1
Viruses aren’t Donald Trump’s fault. His incompetence and fraudulence in assuming a job he’s unfit and unqualified and unprepared for—that’s his fault. And that his supporters actually think he cares in the slightest is what’s truly pathetic.
Pence's appointment is what happens when you trade expertise for sycophancy.
17
@irunrva It's impressive that the man who the fraud charged with being the point man on coordination between our "best people in the word" scientists, and our country's citizens, doesn't believe in evolution.
1
Trumpvirus. Perfect. Obama known for ObamaCare and Trump known for TrumpVirus!
15
#Trumplague
13
Wait a minute: "Czar" "comrades"...
Am I russian to conclusions here once again?
Would I give a farthing for copnfidence about Pence?
Help me!
8
Ha ha ha. That's clever.
1
New heights of stupidity.
4
Why Mike Pense?
Because he has God Almighty on speed dial.
So don't worry America. We're in good hands.
Our evangelical funamentalist Vice President can pray away the germs.
12
@cwc "He's always busy, that's why he never answers."
The Coronavirus adds to the existing crisis of the Moronavirus which has been centered in the US for over three years. Moronavirus has already spread to the UK and has evolved into the even-more virulent Plantar Fascist, as seen in Hungary. So hats off to Drumpf for defunding the CDC so he could build his wall. Exquisite timing.
14
Seldom has one man proved his own incompetence so broadly and completely--and this man is the president of the US. Trump couldn't find his way out of a paper bag--he'd just shout insults until somebody else found the way out.
18
I'd like to see a national poll of (1) How many people believe what Trump says about the virus and (2) How many people have confidence in his administration's capability to handle it. Has anyone seen such a poll? I suspect it would be good campaign ammunition for Democrats.
12
Sadly, Trump’s malevolence and incompetence will hurt the most vulnerable and poorest states. He will suffer politically. Prediction his share of West Virginia’s vote will plummet from 74% in 2016 to 72.5% in 2020. This is the Age of Rage. At least in white, poor, rural America.
2
A problem where it is impossible to pinpoint blame, where no no easy answers are in sight, where the economy is at risk and lying about the virus and/or the economy might be disastrous. Oh my....
Might take the election in a whole new direction. The virus has renewed my faith in karmic justice.
4
Shame. This is NOT a political issue. The Trump people are doing well with this, just as past administrations. The left wants to make it a political issue. Its not and shameful that anyone would try to make it such.
7
You are correct. And so it is reasonable to wonder why this administration purged the experts and cut funding to NIH and CDC because, as you say, it shouldn’t be political.
19
@Matt McCann The disease is not a political issue, but the competency of government response is. I'm so sick of listening to the folks who went crazy when Obama wore a tan suit chide us all for 'picking on Trump'. Look up some of the ridiculous stuff Trump said about Obama when he was in office. Were you complaining about treating the president with disrespect then?
Just ordered my “Any functional adult -2020” & “8645” bumper stickers. Only wish I had done it earlier.
8
If all pandemic threats to the U.S. are now to be filtered through the mouthpiece that is Mike Pence, it is every man, woman and child for themselves. We have officially entered a frightening new phase in this mismanaged anarchy that used to be known as our federal government.
10
How long before Trump cancels the election this November, citing a national emergency of his own making? Stayed tuned.
5
@Mike C. I think he's more likely to declare the election void due to "millions of illegal voters"--after he loses.
2
It is our information that is infected.
5
Well the silver lining here is maybe this exposes the dysfunction of the Trump administration. After all, viruses don't care who is wearing a MAGA hat.
Hoping it doesn't also take a lot of lives down with it.
4
At least with Pence in charge 50 % of the problem is immediately silenced !
2
Trumpvirus? I prefer to call it Covfefe-19.
10
I have been grudgingly willing to endure a stock market collapse in order to get rid of President Goodbrain. A deadly pandemic is a pretty tough pill to swallow though. I guess it goes to show, be careful what you wish for....
6
He is right about the whole shaking hands thing at least among us men. Can't count how many times I've seen guys leave the men's room without washing hands. I'll take a fist bump any day.
7
@GailCollins
I want a re-count. Last Fall, you acknowledged my losing vote for Wilbur Ross as worst Cabinet member (lost in a landslide to William Barr). Please send your best (or least-favorite) investigative reporter to find out what was percolating around the mush also known as Wilbur's brain, when he returned from snooze-mode to make that comment about jobs returning to US due to people abroad contracting coronavirus. Wilbur is NOT the "acting Secretary of Commerce," nor is he a "deputy." He is the Real Deal, and he should get appropriate props from you for hanging in there all this time and proving yet again, without a shadow of a doubt, that he has risen to a level of incompetence that a 23-year old undergrad could only dream about.
2
Betting on who will succeed, either Trump/Pence or the immigrant germ, my money is on the germ.
4
I was waiting when Doormat Pence was going to get thrown under the bus. Trump knows he has no clue to handle this and can't bully or fire the virus to get rid of it. Now if it ends up a debacle, he will point at Pence and say, "It's his fault." Conman 101, my friends.
6
So his plan is to hold prayer breakfasts and tell us not to talk alone to women?
9
wonderful but scary column
4
He’ll fill the Rio Grande with Purell.
6
Their golden economy to run on in 2020! (i mean stock market). PS: do the alien nationals who put Trump's burgers in the McDonalds/Wendys/BK bag use sanitizer?
5
Coronavirus -- the Germ of Truth.
Trump is doing his imitation of King Canute ordering the tides around.
"Stop spreading, Crony Virus! You're spooking the stock market."
"A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself a liar." -- Mark Twain
6
"...immigrant germs." Priceless. Just wish we were Penceless.
8
Trumpvirus? Are you referring to the contagion from China, the information withheld by China, or the Trump-hating obsession that infects minds like yours...
8
@Andrew: Nah, it’s Trump’s lies that infect the minds of his supporters...
@Andrew You honestly think it's acceptable that the president can't even spell the name of the virus? Really?
Here's one of the many problems with Trump: he needs to be the hero of every story told. Not just every story told about him, but every story told by him.
If the sycophants in the White House don't figure out how make the fight against the virus about Trump's triumph over all disease known to man, well, then, all Pence's prayers aren't going to help us.
I'm glad I live in California, where we have a functioning Public Health System. And I'm glad I've got Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Democrats to blame for that.
8
@Jdweekley no, the problem is that the insane fanatical left needs President Trump to be the villain of every story
Why would Trump say the Democratic debates caused the downturn in the stock market? Does he think he might lose? Maybe he sees the writing on the wall. By the way, Obama's economy was better on several measures than Trump's economy, and he is running up massive debt during a good economy. He has no clue on how to manage the national economy and no idea as to what makes our country economically strong (hint: it's infrastructure, stupid!).
10
This president is so stupid, he doesn't understand that by saying that the stock market fell out of fear of the debate (or by people making fools of themselves at the debate), that would have to mean that they were hoping it would go well, or that they hope that a candidate will emerge that can beat Trump. Huh. And Trump was surprised that people in the US died from the flu? Btw, in 2018, 80,000 Americans died that year (and we had a vaccine then). Trump has done Americans a huge disservice in cutting both the budgets for infectious disease and firing the most talented people we had working for the government to help protect us. God help us if it does spread here. Well, stock up on face masks and canned goods... just in case.
5
It’s impossible to take a story with this title seriously.
5
@Mark Davis Whoosh...it's called satire.
"Criterion". Singular, rather than "criteria", the plural that you used.
But as you commented about Trump's mis-spelling -- Nobody's perfect.
1
If Trump misspells “caronavirus,” I suppose it’s better that he puts a misspelling on us than a spell. Next thing you know, he’ll be calling it cofeve-19.
5
Could thing the corona virus is not transmitted by grabbing women in their genital area — then Trump would really be in trouble.
4
I'm sure Mike Pence will be able to singlehandedly stop the pandemic through the power of the holy prayer.
7
November can't come soon enough. My god has there ever been a more impotent administration than the Orange Clown's? VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO.
6
"So, our Coronavirus Czar is going to be … Mike Pence. Feeling more secure?"
OMG--more thoughts and prayers. And if they don't work, it's because your thoughts are impure and prayers are not sincere and often enough.
Surely Jesus will save you, just pay up and vote Trump/Pence.
5
Job opportunity....For all those respirators that will be needed, people could be hired at minimum wage to stand at infirmed patients' bedsides and hand pump with a balloon respirator.
1
I can see North Korea as a model for the Trump administration response. First Pence will attempt to intimidate the coronavirus by staring balefully at it from a safe distance while Trump insults it (Little RocketVirus, or whatever). When that doesn't work, Trump will take the revolutionary step of meeting with the coronavirus (while wearing a gold respirator) and declare that the coronavirus has agreed not to further invade the U.S. and will be withdrawing all cases immediately. When that doesn't happen Trump will change the subject.
5
He’s more like a fungus!
3
Has he run out of Generals.
They're the people who generally gets this sort of gig. FX Clinton's Drugs Czar General Barry McCaffery.
Which leads me to ask, so how is that War on Drugs going these days - did we win yet.
1
Please, when you quote someone using the word Democrat incorrectly, either use (sic) or change it to Democrat[ic] to indicate the mistake.
2
I’ve heard that drinking lots of covfefe is the best defense against the caronavirus.
6
"If you’re feeling awful, you know who to blame." CHINA
1
Gail,
Eight more months to go.
He's done.
Stick a fork in him!
7
Perfect column today, Gail.
5
What a coincidence! That's the first thing I thought of when I woke up this morning: What can I blame Trump for today? A virus! Brilliant! Then, I see this piece in the Times. To think I've been channeling the NYT opinion staff all along.
1
I feel like I am living in a fricking nightmare. With all of the talented and smart people in this country, of all political persuasions, how did we get this idiot and his minions running this country? Although, I sort of agree with him that the market did react to the Democratic debate, because the people on that stage are our only hope, and most of them acted like toddlers fighting on the playground.
Oh, Gail! You’re just too funny! Wait! Are you are saying it’s better to laugh than cry? OMG! That’s not funny, Gail.
1
You object to POTUS T asking the VEEP to oversee the Govt’s war against the coronavirus. . . saying that it is more logical for a doctor to be in charge.
Does that mean that the next time the USA is in a shooting war against state and non state adversaries that a general or admiral should be put in charge of the Govt?
You would likely find fault with Trump if cancer was cured under his watch.
Do you find fault with the NYT for printing stories about Trump that are negative 90+% of the time . . . while US citizens’ satisfaction with this POTUS is at an all time high. Is it at least a wee bit possible that the anti - right, pro - left NYT is not fulfilling its Constitutional responsibility of objectively holding all govts to account . . . and if so that the NYT should be subject to libel suits like the rest of us are? Just wondering . . .
3
Yes, we do indeed think that a general should be in charge of the military during wartime. Not the whole govt, of course - but Gail wasn't suggesting that for the coronavirus. Perhaps you don't read well...
2
The difference between NYT and FOX is that NYT opinions are offered as such: an opinion. But FOX news is not NEWS, it is Entertainment.
Unbiased or both sides news went away with the Fairness Doctrine in 1987.
Check it out. And thank Ronald Reagan.
"...so it can stop the flow of immigrant germs."
Too bad there was not a wall in the 1800s to stop the flow of immigrant GermANs. That would have keep gramps in the Rhineland Pfalz area and possibly eliminated Donnie or at least kept him from the Oval Office. OK, none of the Germans I know (including my wife) would have been thrilled at the thought, but an American can dream, can't he?
2
Maybe Pence will instruct us how to just pray the virus away.
2
So I can sleep well tonight knowing god has chosen Mike Pence to protect us from the VIRUS. Amen!!
1
I was rooting for Jared. After the Middle East et. al, I’m sure he’d do a bang up job with Covid-19.
10
@zeno He'll have his current wall assignment wrapped up tout de suite (see how the AZ saguaro cacti have been trashed), so next week should be fine. His calendar's clear!
Ms. Collins, why are you so nasty, so sarcastic, so disrespectful?
Does it make you feel superior to denigrate the president of your country? Is your self-image improved thereby? Do you love to jump on this disgusting bandwagon, so some will pat you on the shoulder?
The tsunami of hatred against the president is much more dangerous, than the coronavirus. Biological viruses eventually fade away; viruses of the soul propagate unchecked.
It is a great pity that you are contributing to the Epidemic of Hatred. You are definitely not a bridge-builder among the people.
6
@Calgarian I always find it hard to believe that some folks don't see that it is perfectly possible to criticize the president without hating him. I prefer to save my hate for someone worthy of it.
1
As blocking the spread of the virus may prove too difficult, Trump settles for blocking the flow of information about the virus. Now health officials' statements about covid-19 must go through Pence. We can expect Pence to be truthful only if the truth is likely to help his boss or the stock market. So, not very much.
10
My first thought when I heard Mr. Pence is our new Coronavirus Tzar, is that he is now perfectly positioned to take the all of the blame if and when the virus infects large numbers of Americans, strains the health system beyond capacity, and tanks the economy.
6
Well no ‘czar’ but we have a ‘corona’ for Saint Trump!
49
So, Trump appoints his Veep to deal with the Corona virus. Pence is a guy who is a staunch believer in the Old Testament. That's a book that repeatedly describes the tens of thousands of deaths caused by plagues as God punishing sinners.
Yeah, that makes me feel safe.
275
@Tom Let me help you feel safer, with an erudite quote from our fearless leader: "There's a chance that it won't spread, too, and there's a chance that it will."
16
Well in that case Trump should be the first one to get it. I can’t understand how the supposedly so religious Pence can actually work for this guy. How does he look himself in the mirror?
8
@JD JD, I'm sure we will have the best disease. It's going to be huge. Nobody will have a bigger outbreak. And if our allies don't shoulder their fair share of the death toll, we'll put a tariff on them.
5
Carona virus affects cigar plants. Collins misunderstood the President.
5
Gail thank you for the laugh...so needed it!
4
WFPL, Louisville's NPR station, is reporting today that Scott County Indiana's needle exchange program may not be renewed:
https://wfpl.org/needle-exchanges-slowed-an-hiv-crisis-in-indiana-now-their-future-is-unclear/
Yet another reason, as if any more were needed, to not vote for Republicans and their anti-science agenda!
11
Whether you hate Trump or love Trump, you certainly shouldn’t take anything he says seriously.
6
Every night I sleep a little better knowing that Mr Pence is my Vice President...
2
@Bob - Please tell me you're kidding.
10
Well, his little press conference yesterday certainly calmed the markets__________Ouch.
With Pence as czar, the Trump narrative is in the bag.
If this turns into a pandemic, be aware, there will be conspiracy theory lunacy out of the W.H.
6
Trump’s misspelling of coronavirus as “caronavirus” seems like a Freudian slip when you consider both Trump’s pronunciation and spelling abilities. In his mind “caron” probably means “carrion” which is defined as “the decaying flesh of dead animals,” and inadvertently reveals exactly where we are headed under this administration.
4
It's easy to imagine Gail Collins decades ago, as a young journalist, with the job of reporting on...the Connecticut Legislature.... While SECRETLY KNOWING that she was the funniest "girl" in any room she walked into, and that someday some employer would give her a column where her sense of humor can interact with her incisive knowledge of the political facts.
Columns of this ilk support me, indeed thousands if not millions of us, to survive and take action against the grotesque series of events that now faces us.
5
Yeah. Hey NYT, give Gail a raise.
1
It's amazing to read an article that would prefer to criticize Trump as if he created the virus or personal brought the virus to the US... Instead of helping..
SAD...very sad that mature individuals feel so much hate and anger towards an individual that they use this Virus to feel somewhat vindicated over there hate for Trump.
Trump may be sugar coating the Virus, but he's a politician, he's supposed to make us feel safe.
Please... Tell me Pelosi or Schumer wouldn't do the same... At least Trump is seeking answers... Neither Pelosi or Schumer are offering ideas, just negative comments and criticism. Just like the Pelosi-Schumer minions commenting here today.
Look at the positive... At least we have Obamacare!!! :-(
9
@Commgy, proto-authoritarians, wannabe autocrats, cryptofascists, etc., have a way of inciting hatred and contempt. Too bad it isn’t enough to stop them, as the 20th Century demonstrated very well.
3
You are of course referring to the shell of Obamacare that our President has decimated and is intent on entirely dismantling, so he can provide you with a much better and much less expensive alternative.
5
@Commgy - Wrong. The President of the United States is supposed to keep us safe.
2
"Our president had to be going crazy over a problem that involves both declining stock prices and germs. "
Oh my, that hits home. Thanks for that laugh out loud, Gail.
I think the humor has increased my immunity to Trumpvirus.
7
trumpvirus? or perhaps pencepestilence
We have seen the vp deal with a virus before and he is credited with his very own aids outbreak.....google it...pence needle exchange, Indiana....This isn't going to go well.
11
I think the NY Times has formally abandoned its "All the News that's Fit to Print" motto.
8
@Jon This isn't news, it's opinion.
Pence shut down needle exchange during an AIDS crises in Indiana that was a proven prevention solution because of....Jesus........or something.
11
The shear negativity that pours out of The NY Times is almost unbearable. I know this is an opinion piece and everyone has opinion including Gail Collins but my goodness why so negative all the time?
6
Considering Pence thought he could "pray away" an AIDs outbreak when he was Governor I feel as safe as that goat in Jurassic Park. Not really. Eat right, drink lots of water and wash your hands often. Keep your immune system strong.
184
You mean Xivirus, right? Or you just can't help but blame Trump for an infection arising from China (again), a socialist nation showing it's poor central planning and poor healthcare system.
5
“Bruce Aylward, who headed an international expert mission to China”
“You have to be ready to manage this at a larger scale … and it has to be done fast,” Aylward said, noting that every country in the world should learn from China’s successful experience of containing the virus and treating those who fall ill.
“Access the expertise of China,” said Aylward, speaking in a personal capacity at the World Health Organisation in Geneva. “They have done this at speed and they know what they are doing. They are really, really good at it.”
2
@David It was the bat soup.
1
Is this article supposed to be humorous?
4
We have a Keystone Kops administration running this country, and our luck has run out. For almost three and a half years there as not been any real threat to this country's stability. A pandemic is a crisis. It threatens the smooth running of all our institutions. Trump has dismantled safeguards put in place by the previous administration and now has to try to jerry rig a response with cronies and appointees who have no knowledge on how to go about it. These facts are frightening in the extreme.
6
The true test of leadership is how they respond to a crisis. So far the Trump administration is falling far short of the ideal. His actions have done little or nothing to assure the American public that the situation is in good hands.
He has is stripped the government of the resources need to handle a pandemic such as the one we currently face. He has cut critical funding and staff.
He is a notorious science denier.
His best bud and the absurd recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Rush Limbaugh, has proclaimed the the virus was created for for the sole purpose of harming Trump's image.
Trump is more concerned with the effect the Coronavirus is having on the stock market than he is about the effect it is having on the people of the world, let alone the United States.
When he was elected, the biggest fear of the anti Trumpers was how he would react in a crisis. So far, Trump is not off to a good start.
8
What a biased, left slanted article, Please, Please keep your personal feelings out of things as serious as this virus. Just the whole picture not your cherry picked facts to support you narrative.
6
One - it's an election year. Dem's cannot let one go by without a healthcare crisis. Two - volatility in the markets leads to tax funds generated that will soar into the Treasury. Three - setting the table to blame the President for any misgivings on the virus and of course no credit if we avoid the bullet. Four - using age you cited in Commerce Secretary Ross is discriminatory. Gail, he's only four years older than Bernie and Bloomie. What's it like to have all the answers?
3
Can you spell "drumming up panic"? Didn't think so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWY0oZV51VY
https://apnews.com/d36d6c4de29f4d04beda3db00cb46104
1
I have 0% confidence that we will get through this. I'll be washing my hands now.
5
Pence!? You. Got.To. Be. Kidding. I'm waiting for his solution:
"Let's all get together and pray, that Covid-19 will soon go away."
4
I feel more secure with Pence than anyone at the NYT. The fact you would even print this, even in jest, points to the precise problem with the media these days. At a time when the country should set aside partisanship and pull together to solve an uncertain and unpredictable problem, NYT piles on and make ridiculous points in ius failed attempt to smear Trump. This is EXACTLY why people distrust the media and is becoming the primary reason so many will vote for Trump.
5
Clearly it should be called Covfefe.
6
I think Trump chose Pence for this job so that when he fails (a near certainty) Trump can replace him on the ballot this fall. Maybe Ivanka or Jared instead of Pence for Vice President? This would not be a surprise given the turnover in this administration.
5
Ivanka would be great!!
She should run for POTUS after her father ends his term in 2024
That he would blame the tanking stock market on the Democratic debate is so shockingly stupid and dishonest and reprehensible it boggles my mind that anyone would support this man. Shame on his supporters. Not Trump - he's just beng the self-centered loathsome person he's been his entire life.
But shame on his supporters. You people would be goose stepping down the streets of Berlin in the 30s.
12
Funny but sadly true article. I work with patients with fever and cough all day long. This is very concerning. I used to look up to the guidance provided by the CDC but now I can see that it is extremely outdated. The information on who to test for Coronavirus has not adapted with the new information that we have. The rec is still to only test if that fever and cough has been through China or directly exposed to a patient with Coronavirus.
There is no one accounting for stocks of masks and protective equipment to my knowledge. This has left us here at my Public Health clinic to manage this on our own using our experience with previous epidemics-SARS and H1N1-as well as online information from Lancet and John's Hopkins. I hope that this virus just fades away but I would much rather be over prepared and protected and able to help my patients.
6
When you guys, at the NY Times, go so far over the top, you sacrifice your credibility.
You're starting to be viewed as a really bad comedy team. You think you're funny, laughing at your own jokes, but no one else is laughing. Your routines are old and stale and, frankly, never were funny.
You might also send Bloomberg a similar message. Flooding the airwaves with this constant flow of ads is just annoying. Every time one comes on, I change the channel.
You keep saying the same thing over and over and over...it loses its significance and validity.
12
@Peter Rasmussen I must ask, why then are you here when there are other sources of news-some credible others not so much.
12
@Dan
To keep track of what's going on in the liberal media.
The Times are just one of many sources I access.
5
I don't expect the Trump to be anymore honest than China has been when it comes to telling the public what is going on with this coronavirus. Authoritarians just want to make themselves look good so their first response is to hide what is occurring. Will Trump lie his way through this situation or briefly act like a real American president? No doubt on Fox News Trump will be applauded no matter what happens. The right wing alternate universe should be kicking into high gear churning out lies, particularly with an election coming up. For whatever goes wrong liberals will blamed. Be very worried with Trump in charge and Fox News on the air.
218
This has always been a more disturbing aspect of this administration that gets little attention -- the lack of competence at any place in the administration. Sadly, ever since January 2017, the county has been vulnerable to a series crisis, which we now have, and we have (thanks in good part to the obsequious members of the GOP in Congress) an administration that is entirely unready to handle any sort of crisis. Because the president seems fixed more on what this means for his reelection than what it means for American citizens, as long as he remains in office, unchecked by the GOP cowards in Congress, the country will never be in a position to address any crisis. God help us if another crisis befalls us, which it may well do, since the "strong economy" that the president and his followers keep pointing to was never really all that stronger and now the cracks will start to become fissures.
7
"We have 15 people infected but not too bad, but there are only 9 that are serious but they are from Japan we felt we had to bring over, we didn't really have to, but they are citizens and Congress....Congress gave us too much money, but we will take it, not as much for the Wall...and the 15 patients are doing great...China, China is doing a great job just like India, but everything is ok, many people say we couldn't get it done, but the Coronavirus is in good shape, I mean, the 15 people are in good shape, because we are great"
Donald J. Trump gibberish from speech on national health concerns, 2-26.20.
I say lets brand it TrumpVirus2020....after all, Trump has NO PROBLEM ridiculing and assigning labels to anyone else....it's time to turn the table.
Look at the statement above. This is the person running our country. Sounds like someone with the beginning of dementia.
16
Thank you Dr. Collins for diagnosing my malady. For three years now I have been sick, sick, very sick. When it first hit me I was shocked and surprised. Then my symptoms became those of incredible humor; everything was funny. That quickly changed and ever since I have been chronically depressed.
“Trumpvirus” obviously. But what is the treatment? Is it curable? Or will it be fatal? Please help me!
4
Yeah, of course Mike Pence is qualified to lead the fight against the Coronavirus: he has proven that he can bow down to King Donald more deeply than anyone else. That seems to be the only necessary qualification.
Seriously, appointing Pence to lead this is like appointing the blind to lead the voluntarily blind. The answer to this crisis is not Trump's lies and staff of liars, but some honest science from government departments that Trump has weakened. What an embarrassment to be an American in 2020.
This is not just about our personal health but also our nation's health. Do you really trust "Dr." Trump and "Dr." Pence to take care of you? Let's hope we can fix this problem in dramatic fashion on November 3rd. Darn right the system is rigged; it was rigged by Trumpublicans and other complicit Republicans against anybody who is not one of them. Well, I have news for you, Republicans: you get sick, too. Overwhelm the stacked deck; vote blue, no matter who.
11
My only laughs these days comes when President Trump tells us what surprised him. Eg. that the flu kills a lot of people every year. He assumes no one else knows and would likewise be surprised. Just reminds me of the depth of his ignorance.
12
@Janet " the depth of his ignorance."
It's a bottonless pit.
5
@Janet He does it b/c the only ones he likes and support him believe everything he says and do no critical thinking of any type
We're done for if Trump doesn't like what infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci of the NIH says and decides to fire him. Sounds far fetched? Not really. Wouldn't be the first time our glorious leader doesn't like what scientists say and the offending expert is subsequently removed. Can't have anyone contradict the stable genius now, can we?
9
I'm 75 and have chronic bronchitis so covid 19 would be bad for me.
The idea that Mike Pence is responsible for my defense is scarier than the virus.
295
@DubbinAround
I feel you. The man now in charge of a pandemic response is someone who denies science and believes the earth is 6,000 years old.
5
Why aren’t you responsible for your defense? You look to the government to wash your hands avoid sick people etc. surprised you made it to that ripe old age. Sure the government can help but not until Obama have so many looked to the government to take care of them.
Not to mention that while Pence was governor of Indiana, there was an HIV epidemic caused by the opioid epidemic, made worse by cuts to funding for public health, specifically HIV prevention (since only sinners get HIV, or something). Oh, I'm so relieved Pence is in charge of the US response to this virus.
6
What stood out for me in Trump's dumb communiques was his use of "comrades." Though he's in bed with Russia, he's already planning on using "comrades" as a weapon against Bernie. And I suppose his base of supporters will not think twice about it. Or even once.
5
The expression on Pence's face, during the announcement-- so glad to know it has nothing to do with being Trump's scapegoat once things spiral out of control.
5
In response to those who see Trump hate in comments on Ms. Collins' well-crafted piece, and to Michael Piscopiello who aptly commented that "It will be up to the states to protect their citizens . . .," this doesn't give Oregonians much of sense of security. This because our Republican minority has walked-out of state government, preventing the legislature from moving forward on bills including a number aimed at health care and disaster response.
7
And this laughably pathetic response to coronavirus is from the same Donald Trump who criticized President Obama for how he handled Ebola.
14
Every time I hear Trump speak I think, here is the true Lyin’ King.
9
Pence: Perfect pick for potentate of virus situ...
Very knowledgeable on all things medical, organizing quick action committees, big picture guy, Head Sycophant and,
I look forward to all of the eyes clenched prayer meetings to get this under control.
6
COVFEFE-19
11
He's too ignorant to help his own people. The problem is that the USA shares borders, one of them with my country. But this is what happens when you elect a fool.
12
"he’ll suddenly announce that we need a barrier much bigger and thicker and more expensive, so it can stop the flow of immigrant germs."
This was my thought exactly. I am thinking maybe 20 feet higher.
And also one think no one has mentioned:
Stop importing Mexican beer.
But on the other hand, maybe Mexican beer is the cure. Let's ask Pence and all those other Trump employees.
3
First, we know that Trump's handing over of the Covid-19 issue to Pence was a political decision that had nothing to do with preventing a large scale outbreak of the virus in the U.S. In an election year, Trump does not want to be blamed for any negative domestic-related outcomes. Secondly, the integrity and credibility of the Trump administration is so painfully low that any handling of any domestic problem will be a problem for his administration. That is, Trump's total disregard of the facts and the truth has caused widespread disbelief in what he says and does.
8
Trump has already taken credit for this virus.
It is in his general habit of taking credit for everything.
And no apologies.
1
Gail, my first reaction was this was Trump setting Pence up to fail. The virus will get here and the medical professionals will deal with it in due time. But the fact it got here at all will be Pence's fault and therefore justify dumping him for Haley at the convention. BTW someone should tell the stable genius the stock market has been seriously over priced for months and any hint of bad news was bound to send it into a correction. But I do love your work.
2
Covfefe-19 has wiped out a lot of the Best People.
4
The first thing that came to mind after reading Gail’s column was the phrase ‘Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right’ from Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan’s song, ‘Stuck in the middle with you’, thus:
‘Well I don't know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain't right,
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you’
It’s a scary time to be alive my friends.
5
Same thing happenned in China. Xi Jinping doesn't want to take the blame for the coronavirus outbreak, so he decides that, okay, just this once, but don't let it go your head, buddy, I will let you, Li Keqiang, take control. (Until, of course, things get back under control, when I will promptly put my name back on top). What's that saying about birds of a feather?
3
Why do I keep seeing Kevin Bacon in my dreams saying "All is well" as the marching band stomps over him?
4
Typical Trump. His press conference demonstrated once again that he has no interest in dealing with a critical issue that he views as a nuisance that may stain his stellar reputation and of course he couldn't contain himself boasting that the United States has the best record of dealing with this. While Pence was speaking Trump looked like he was trying to stay awake. Pitiful.
6
I was wondering just how long it would take for the liberal media to blame the coronavirus on Donald Trump. Not long, it turns out! Hey Gail, did you hear about the new mini-moon just discovered by astronomers? Trumpmoon, right? And he killed off the dinosaurs, too, didn’t he? Next case, please?
4
This is sick and disgusting. When Trump acted quickly to stop flights from certain areas, these same people called him racist for doing so. And yet it has kept the number of affected people in the US from skyrocketing. Politicizing a possible pandemic is pure evil. Are there no adults in charge at the New York Tines? This is a nonpartisan issue, and yet, Gail Collins decided to make it partisan. I am old enough to remember people saying we should put country over party, perhaps Ms. Collins didn't get the memo.
5
@MrReasonable repubs didn't get the memo either. With all the evidence of how trump has damaged their party, they continue to accept his destruction.
6
President Trump has done more for the benefit of Americans in three years than decades of previous Presidents...You have predicted the falling sky again and again...can you just not hype the hysteria and give him a chance??
3
While I don't generally watch or listen to conservative/pro-Trump media I can see from the comments here that the official attack line on Democrats has been hatched: They love coronavirus more than they love our country (aka Trump, they're synonymous of course). If you don't believe Trump & co aren't the most honest, truthful, competent, crew in town, you obviously hate America. Never mind the reality as pointed out here by Gail - Trump will protect us all from facts and reality.
3
Trump's press conference response was almost somnolent-- still jet lagged from India? -- and involved gobs of slathered face bronzer. His message: I really don't care... except for the stock market
5
Riffing on Gail's renaming, how about the Trump-own-a-virus. I've been musing, in feverish thoughts about the terrifiying dystopian reality in recent news: Trump firing truth tellers, replacing them with sycophants.This reminds me of agent Smith in the Matrix series. Millions of replicas to mouth his lies. A virus indeed.
3
trump has managed to dumb down the federal government to a point where we have absolutely no faith whatsoever in the government's ability handle a crisis. We are all on our own. So, buy a mask, use purifiers, avoid human contact and pray.
6
Overreaction much? Btw have you noticed who Pence appointed as the Coronavirus Response Coordinator? Debra Birx look her up then continue complaining
It was "enlightening" watching the fraud ignore Dr. Sanjay Gupta's statement of the fact that the caronavirus is 20 times more fatal than the flu. The fraud kept saying the flu was worse than the caronavirus, which is clearly not true. His obstinate ignorance is the problem. He's not too bright, refuses to be corrected with factual information, and then ignores the source. I doubt Dr. Gupta will have another chance to school the "president".
8
"Nobody knew 'caronavirus' could be so complicated."
7
For a brief second there, reading Ms. Collins' last paragraph referring to the Mexican 'wall' , I thought she was going to comment on Trump's confusion as to whether corona was the virus, or the beer.
4
It's just not funny anymore.
4
It's hard to make funny about something so very sad. There was a group of specialists to deal with a pandemic in the Obama administration; but because it was created by Obama, it had to go. Now when we need the expertise, we're stuck with Mike Pence; who also knows nothing and speaks with forked tongue.
I will be glad to see this virus in the rear view mirror months from now. I have zero faith this administration to deal with it as anything other than spin (lies). I daily find it astounding anyone would support this ignorant, cruel, ego-bound, mentally ill, scam-artist, conman, gaslight, prevaricator, who lacks any empathy for anyone but himself.
There's no funny in this.
5
Thanks Gail!
To quote the old blues line, "When you see me laughin' it's just to keep from cryin'."
3
Not much else to say! Trump will destroy us all with his incessant half-truths and lies. If you can't now see what he truly is you are blind!
4
There is another possibility: MediaVirus.
If there's a piece of bad news out there, the Media will feast on it and jam it down our collective throats.
@Sunny 4 Life With this administration, that's all there is is bad news. The media are doing the best with what they have.
2
We all should be very much relieved and feel immune from the coronavirus now that Traitor Trump appointed his very own ventriloquist’s dummy (Pence) to head the government’s efforts to contain the virus. Geez, what a clown show!
5
Back in the 1960's I took 35 acid trips. Now the entire nation is sharing the same experiences. Trump the magic dragon...oh you know how it goes.
6
Imagine how much more enthusiastic we would have been about electing our Dear Leader had we known then what we know now. Sure, the country has problems and will go through hard times, but knowing that our pantywaist VP and his years of epidemiological research is spearheading the emergency response team. Trump might have actually won a majority of votes in 2016. I mean he did fake media failing New York Times.
And so a threat to our well-being nears. Sure, Americans, including many of those in red hats high on oxy and waving guns, are terrific at creating our own crises, which don't exist and are made up by MSNBC, but now the virus looms, and I imagine that the Presidential tweet team is working harder than the writers on SNL trying to come up with something that will cover five deaths and something far more devastating that will explain away hundreds or even thousands of deaths.
Remember, we Americans are suckers for a good story, or even a tedious predictable covfefe one. In 2020, when outsiders look at our country, those among them who have given Americans little credit through the years can at least feel good about their judgment. My country has become what we fought in two world wars, a place filled with propaganda run by a narcissistic twit.
Will people remember Trump's insouciant dismissal of a deadly virus, and are his Lord of the Flies supporters so drunk on bully envy that they will embrace a medical nonentity like pence? I imagine that the answer is yes. Sigh.
3
Laughter is therapeutic!
The beauty of the coronavirus is that it is perfectly in line with other Trumpvirus policy initiatives. What doesn't kill us makes America great again! Survival of the fittest! The coranavisus will help us achieve our patriotic duty of weeding out the weaker so the strong will survive. It's Nature's response to the Democrats who each in their own propaganda, want to replace American tough love and ruggedness with coddling. If somebody we know dies from this, let's consider it as a form of true patriotism for this all part of Trump's Master Plan for how to make America great, again! Death to the pantywaist snivelers!
2
Gail, how could you pick on poor Trump for "caronavirus" when you wrote "criteria" for "criterion"?
I love how the MSM complains about people unqualified for political appointments. Hello?? Where were you with Ben Rhodes and John Brennan?! Double standard like you read about.
2
Ouch.
Thank you Dr. Collins for diagnosing my malady. For three years now I have been sick, sick, very sick. When it first hit me I was shocked and surprised. Then my symptoms became those of incredible humor; everything was funny. That quickly changed and ever since I have been chronically depressed.
“Trumpvirus” obviously. But what is the treatment? Is it curable? Or will it be fatal?
4
Trump’s next pandemic solution will be to make every U.S. citizen wear a MAGA face mask and carry a bottle of Fake News hand sanitizer...
3
Gail Collins (along with every single NYT columnist) wakes up every day trying to figure out what to find to blame Mr. Trump for next. . .only you're all running out of ideas. Mr. Trump was slammed for banning travel from China when this issue first arose. . .and was criticized for it by the NYT.
You can't have it both ways. You've taken an issue that shouldn't be made political. . .and made something political out of it.
You can fool the left wing echo chamber this comment section has become Ms. Collins. . .but come November, unless there's an economic downturn caused by this virus you can blame Mr. Trump for, you'll be compelled to keep on finding new and different things to blame him for. . .for four more years.
4
There’s some truth to what you are saying, but did you actually read what Trump said and objectively consider the potential impact of his actions?
1
@Irving Nusbaum Finding things to blame him for is relatively easy. No creativity required. He hands out this stuff on a silver platter.
3
Thank you for expounding eloquently about how stupid the current administration is. Thank you for leaving out the more important discussion: how stupid we are for electing them, and thinking of them as rock stars sent by god to save us from the devil.
5
Not to mention pence‘s stellar record of stopping HIV spread in his home state. Eeeeuuuuu! Pray it away mikey !
6
what a pack of fools, amazing
anyone could vote them in again.
3
Look, things could be worse. Trump could have appointed Putin as his corona-virus czar. Or perhaps he has.
3
@Judith Nelson It's the other way around. Putin has appointed trump as his corona-virus czar.
This country is being led by the biggest fools imaginable.
5
"If you’re feeling awful, you know who to blame."
You!
3
@Lake. woebegoner Excuse me, America....it should be "...you know whom to blame."
But that's another issue....
Trump is so out of his depth here, it’s embarrassing to be an American. Our idiot President only just learned that 23,000 to 69,000 Americans die of flu each year.... he was surprised to learn that apparently. For a President to not know a public health statistic that most middle schoolers know, is hard to fathom. I can’t wait for Trump’s response once ten million Americans have been infected. The real truth is that this is just a matter of time.
8
So the Pence approach to healthcare caused an AIDS outbreak in Indiana. I have absolutely no confidence in anyoneTrump puts forward. They are all liars.
5
YES! Thank you, Gail...Trumpvirus it is!
2
Yesterday the markets were cooking along, up 1.8 percent or so...possibly calming down...then POTUS opens his mouth and makes absurd claims about our fantastic efforts to fully contain the virus, and the markets started plummeting again... When you are a habitual liar, Mr. President, don't expect your words to be believed. Also- placing blame on Dems and the media is classic paranoia...it's all about You, Your Highness.
6
That's it! From now on, my family and friends will call it "Trumpvirus". What a truly excellent idea!
1
The New York Times: Leaders in News and % of Opinion Articles Against the President.
2
There was a flu Czar named Pence
He got the job from someone who's dense
He prayed all night long
While singing a hymn song
That some day he'll have a boss with some sense
1
Great article. Maybe the virus aftermath will finally take down the Orange monster since no one else can.good luck to those of us that survive. I know I’m over 50, male, with weakened immune system and underlying conditions (but in canada with health care that covers me so at least I can go to the hospital if Sick so it won’t bankrupt me) so I kinda feel this disease is gunning for me.
3
Dear Gail, thank you for humor, perhaps the only born-with aid that maintains our presence on earth; thank you for you and your team doing the scrupulous research that anchors your writings, all reminding me that human beings are the pandemic now destroying our and many, many other specie’s home.
3
it's unlikely that those with critical thinking skills, and reasonable memories, couldn't have anticipated some type of 'force majeure' calamities to occur during this period when Donald j. trump is the president. as 'only the best people' have been exposed with their c.v's absent of any / all competent experience in the role of their departments, we're left with a 'gutted' government without seasoned administrators that could guide us through this potential health crisis. if 'prayer' is the sole strategy that this government led by inexperienced, unintelligent, unsophisticated, incurious, unimaginative sycophants will employ, well, you fill in the blank on how we survive.
4
If the US gets a good dose of this epidemic because of administrative incompetence, i.e. the ”dismantling of the administrative state,” there would be good reason for naming it the Bannon Flu.
But I would settle for the Trump Flu.
6
The Chinese leaders tried to hide the Coronavirus for political reasons and missed the window to contain it. Now the current administration is doing the exact same thing to try to prevent the economy from suffering for political a reason.
2
@Roy Balcombe Too late!
1
Caligula, it is said, nominated his horse to be a Consul. Trump is not that bad: he only nominates one part of a horse to important offices.
22
Tony Fauchi and the CDC , using the Nebraska facility, are the leads in this. Give your partisanship a rest during a national problem. Offer help and support for the professionals dealing with this. This is an infectious disease and we have great strengths in this area.
Be an American first.
6
@Joel Levine Yes I shall help and support the professionals, especially those that don't have a history of lying to me.
3
Yes, be an American first by exercising your constitutional right and vote this fraud of a president out of office.
1
trump's appointments should be highlighted daily by Dems. Never such a collection of incompetents...
7
This will be Trumps Katrina
3
Sometimes you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, this administration stopped being funny a long time ago.
2
If it doesn't directly affect Mr. Trump positively he doesn't care...full stop.
5
Trump must be looking up at heaven and saying " What have i done to deserve this. I thought you liked me."
"Everything was going along so swimmingly, we had the stock market propped up using a Trillion dollar deficit, but nobody had really caught on, the stupid never do the math. I had all the dopes fooled, like i always fool the dopes, they were cheering as i prepared to cut social programs, while i kept the tax cut to the rich in place. It was all working out so perfectly, and now this, something i can't blame on the press, or Obama, something that is going to be tied right to me. I thought you liked me, now i am not so sure."
" The worse part is that i wont be able to play golf anymore because that would look bad while people are suffering, now i have to act like i care.
This use to be such a fun job. Oh pooh."
5
@Lonnie
You forgot : "It's so UNFAIR the way I'm being treated....sniff sniff"
2
trump is sure he won't get it because he doesn't drink Corona (or Carona)
3
@Mackman
You can't get the Komona virus from drinking beer...
The president could show his concern about the spread of the coronavirus by cancelling all MAGA rallies throughout the highly contagious campaign season.
4
Mike Pence is expendable, and his appointment as “czar of viruses “ is Trump’s firewall against blame when the fight against the coronavirus goes sideways, as a breakout of infections in the US is virtually certain. Pence will be off the ticket and under the bus faster than you can say “Donald/Ivanka 2020.”
8
And yet, we're all worried about these folks coming back for 4 more years. Well, a lot of us anyway.
By the way, I've noticed a lot more supporters of our president seem to be making it into the NYT Picks lately. I guess it saves a trip to the diner in Chillicothe.
Trump is in way over his head.
Spends too much time obsessing about OBAMA lol
2
We all should be very much relieved and feel immune from the coronavirus now that Trump appointed his very own ventriloquist’s dummy (Pence) to head the government’s efforts to contain the virus. Geez, what a clown show!
4
You really didn’t need to name Pence, we ALL know you were talking about the empty suit.
'Which he misspelled 'caronavirus'.” - well thank heaven for little CARONavirus they grow up in the most disastrous way.
I’m feeling better already. Knowing how wrong this paper and other left leaning media have been about Trump’s probability of winning in 2016, about what the economy would do as a result, about the Mueller investigation, about Impeachment, about Biden’s chances, and about their endorsements for losers Warren and Klobuchar, it’s getting to the point where you can set your watch by their inability to ever get it right.
Just take what they say, and plan on the opposite of that happening.
At first I attributed this to some sort of cosmic curse. But then I remembered how the right went through the same thing during the GW Bush years. It’s what happens when you live in a bubble, insulated from reality. It’s what happens when your own moral and self-regarded sanctimony prevents you from being humble enough to acknowledge how wrong you were and to learn from it. It’s what happens when you’re so self satisfied and smug and unable to realize for just a brief moment that the other side isn’t evil or dumb or incompetent - and that they might even be right.
At first I was a little worried. I even searched online for masks and contemplated stocking up. It was the CDC’s announcement. But by yesterday, seeing how the professional progressive media responded, I realized we were going to be fine. Our idiot savant Commander in Chief has this one under control. He always does.
4
Other than bash President Trump, what is this column adding to the news?
5
@Mike
A lot.
1
@Mike
Comic relief.
1
Fun to blame Trump for everything but the problems economically go back to the genius Bill Clinton and Greenspan who decided that Wall Street rules, Shrub and all the members of Congress who believed war was a good idea and the lack of martgage regulation and the FED policies that led to the financial crisis -- not paying for a war was also brilliant, Obama who loved banksters certain ones wiped out others and the FED and its insanely low interest rates.
Bit by bit nothing is made in USA... really brilliant in terms of the drug supply chain -- you know shareholder profits uber alles or some nonsense like that.
So what is the market tumbles -- how much $$ have I lost on the market thru the years?? Amazon has wiped out many a business.. Walmart, ditto but fights back against Amazon.
The Corona virus is a slightly more deadly form of the flu -- same treatment-- control fever so people don't burn up... control against pneumonia and hope the virus does not cascade as did the 1917 flu.
One can't blame Trump for the Corona virus, the actions of the FED or the actions of the American CEOs (NAFTA anyone). Truth be told the guy is not doing a bad job and so far as medicare for All and the socialist nonsense and the forgiveness of lots of predatory student loans ( corrupt banksters in charge here along with Congress) -- yes the time has come for all of this.
Hope TESLA can get the AI to work for its self driving cars.
2
@Auntie Mame "The Corona virus is a slightly more deadly form of the flu"
NO. It's 20 times more deadly than the flu. So far.
As more data is gathered om the caronavirus, the number will obviously be more accurate, but the current estimate is 20 times more fatal.
And it is not a "form of the flu", it is a separate virus.
Stay safe.
@Slann The fatality data is skewed by one epicenter in China where local medical infrastructure was overwhelmed. Aside from that site average fatality is about 0.5%. Higher than flu data, but we will see once data comes out from first world countries that have some info / preparedness from the early China experience.
Is it just me or does anyone else see the thought process behind making Pence in charge of the Caronavirus in the United States.Trump does not want to deal with any situation that is going to make him look bad so if and when Pence does not pray hard enough to make this problem go away he can fire him and name a new Vice President .Nicky Haley.
3
Donald Trump is bonkers. No matter how bonkers he has not lost touch with the American people.
I knew all along that somehow, some way Democrats, especially Nancy Pelosi, would be responsible for the coronavirus and a falling stock market.
And we all know what lies The Orange One is going to say before he says them.
3
Maybe Trump can just draw a circle around the virus with a Sharpie and send it someplace else.
5
@Gerry
Brilliant!!
I can’t wait until he starts telling us that this “caronovirus” thing is just another hoax. Guess he’s just too exhausted from all of his campaign rallies - that WE are paying for- to go to all of those boring pandemic meetings and read all of that medical stuff that he can’t pronounce any of the related language anyway so what’s the use. Light bulb moment! Put Mikey in charge! That way, “I get out of all the work, and Mikey gets blamed if it all goes wrong! ‘Plop, plop, fizz, fizz - OH what a disgrace he is”.
Vote Blue - No Matter Who!
6
@MM Q. C.
Yeah! Why and how is it we are paying for his rallies?
1
"So, our Coronavirus Czar is going to be … Mike Pence. Feeling more secure?"
You bet! He's going to pray our way out of the problem!
Though, come to think of it, if there's a question regarding a "Czar", shouldn't Russia be consulted?
4
Too cute by half. Gail & Adam Schiff should get together and write a comedy. Haven’t bothered to read Gail’s column in a long while and today’s foolishness reinforces that decision.
5
Not to be cynical, but putting Pence in charge of the corona virus soon to be pandemic and his subsequent failure to stop it, will be Trump's perfect excuse to dump Pence as his VP...
2
“At a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Azar was asked if he’d consider using some of the billions of dollars in funds for Trump’s border wall to help combat the current health crisis.
Azar just chuckled.“
Wait, maybe we just need to make the Trumpies think that the virus is Mexican! It’s named after that beer — is that beer Mexican?
1
Inept Republicans. Read all the synonyms for inept. They
all fit Trump.
3
Mike's wife had better accompany him at all times. After all, Mike might run into a lady scientist .... WE ARE DOOMED!!
3
He is obviously setting up Pence to be the fall guy so that he can replace him with say, Tulsi Gabbard. Maybe Nikki Haley but I predict Gabbard. Hence her crazy vote on impeachment. Then he’ll call himself a great unifying force blah blah blah.
So here’s what needs to happen: Biden needs to pick Condi Rice. That’s real unity.
I am so sick of this man.
1
Gail, please quit panicking the public.
I hear that Trump's aides have a handful of new black sharpies and an outbreak map ready for him. He's going to sharpie the virus out of the American mainland, except for Mexico and Canada. Be warned COVID-19 you will not be able to get over the sharpie outline. Give in now and go to Mexico or there will be another tariff on China.
2
"Losing faith in presidential appointees for health protection? Stop being so negative. They’re all vetted by the Presidential Personnel Office, which is now headed by John McEntee, 29, who was previously fired from another White House job because of concerns about a history of gambling problems and tax issues."
AND they got elected! -Put there by the people!
One is put in mind of H.L. Mencken: -- “As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
Democracy at work -LOL
3
Well, it's good to know that with Mr Pence, God is on your side.
1
I'm pleased to see that the NYT continues its policy of balanced reporting toward the Trump administration.
5
C'mon Pence . Get those ship builders together quick. We need your ARK experience in a flash.
1
why did you just lose some money in the market? well, you had a lot more to start from than you ever would have with 0bama/Biden. Trump bashing is the latest liberal craze. How do you liberals keep reconciling your constant misjudgments? Like Madam Pelosi, you probably keep assuming you'll find something eventually, because "there must be something there". Well, please continue. Meanwhile, Trump will continue to improve our country, and the rest of us will thoroughly enjoy our lives. The virus will do what it will do: that's what viruses do. Please show an initial successful containment of any such virus. There are no experts in next.
1
Playing COVID-19 for political gain is shameful and dangerous, no matter who it is.
4
Trump’s a germophobe too? Just another reason why we love him!
Trump, Dence et al make Monty Python look like they knew what they were doing.
1
The WSJ article at the time stated that McEntee was escorted from the White House because he could not get security clearance because of his on line gambling. Huh? And now he’s ok to review the records of every federal employee?
2
Atlas is shrugging, Azar and Friends!
1
I’d laugh if I could stop crying.
1
I was screaming at my car radio, listening to Trump...until I had to turn it off.
Even Putin by now must rue having helped to put Trump where he is. This virus is coming back to boomerang on him and the rest of the world, and he and Trump are now reaping what they have sown.
Total, utter incompetence. Total, utter denial. Total, utter, falsehoods. That was Trump and Pence tonight.
2
Sorry but the proper scientific name is Covfeve-19. Combination of Co-rona V-irus Feve-r, 19 because it's so last year.
3
Trumpvirus is far worse than Coronavirus- it never ends- you have to live with it, a low-grade persistent fever.
2
So who had Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and Alex Azar as their three top picks to lead us through a global pandemic? Anybody?
1
You know your have gone off the deep end when you compare death due to a respiratory virus to political differences.
3
Excellent and insightful !
This great Nation of ours, the Land of the Free , the home of the Brave , is now being led by A Confederacy of Dunces....
3
Calling it the Trump Virus makes sense; but the real threat is the bacterial infection Trumpylococcus Virulosa, which eats away at the brains of those afflicted with it, and turns them into raging zombies.
1
It's hard to disagree with Trump's assessment of the media being just a tool of the left wing spreading anti-Trump vitriol when you see a mean spirited and malicious headline like that.
@Robert
Would you like to adjust your grasp to your reach...
something needs adjustment...Good luck.
Thank God that Trump isn’t mean and vicious and vitriolic, eh !!
And there you have it: the left’s deep-seated desire to blame anything and everything on Trump- even an airborne virus of pandemic proportions spreading over Europe and the Far East.
Unlike the centralized West African epidemic and very hard to transmit Ebola virus, Coronavirus is already a global pandemic and very easy to transmit.
This clearly has nothing to do with Trump and essentially rooting for its spread and the infection of innocents just to ding the president in an election year is about as low as you can go, but not wholly unexpected.
3
No one is saying Trump is the cause of the virus, just that his main concern with Cofeve 19 will probably be how it affects him personally, will it cause a dip in his poll numbers, might his hotels lose business if travelers stay home, what about his golf courses around the world, some are in financial trouble anyway. He is a transaction based president, every one knows this. If the virus impacts him or his businesses, that’s when he’ll pay more attention. Until then don’t expect much more than shoving the trembling flower, Mike Pence, out front to take the incoming.
4
I have been upset since August, 2015.
2
Maybe the guy who hugged Trump should get the Medal of Freedom?
5
The sickness you SHOULD be worried about goes by a different name. It's called Trump Derangement Syndrome, and there is no known cure.
4
Oh, there is a cure.
5
For the first time in my life, TV credibility determines whether a health crisis exists.
CDC says the Coronavirus is coming; Trump says it ain't.
Meanwhiile, headlines everywhere say the deadly virus is on the way; news stories report grocery stores running out of bleach, face-mask experts get the spotlight.
We were even told that the imminent arrival of the virus caused the stock market drops. Later it seemed that Wall Street just saw that the Chinese shutdown will have a big impact on short-term profits; the plunge had nothing to do with whether the virus shows up here.
So now even vital health news has been politicized and, well, monetized.
Now, we -- not the government's top doctors -- have to decide if we're in grave danger. I favor science over Trumpist fantasy, but I know 40% of my fellow Americans don't.
Every day it just gets worse.
4
Trump must've figured no way he has time to take on the virus himself what with all the rallies he has to put together between now and the Election. But..uh-oh, who's going to go a crowded public event if there is an outbreak.
8
I believe that the plan is for Pence to get the virus to undergo conversion therapy.
7
Mike Pence is for conversion therapy. Mike Pence said smoking didn’t cause cancer. Mike Pence doesn’t believe climate science. Mike Pence questioned whether or not condoms worked. So, we are all going to die.
8
"During his press conference he told the story of a fever-ridden supporter who gave him a hug." Was the supporter a steelworker/police officer/soldier/coal miner with tears in his eyes who called him "Sir"?
4
Was this supposed to be funny. Are you secretly hoping that there is an epidemic so Trump can be blamed. Can’t we once get past the partisan politics. The virus won’t care if you are progressive or conservative. We should all have the attitude of helping each other through this and save the lessons for after the fact.
4
Just when you think it couldn't get any weirder along come POTUS and his calming (i.e., nonsensical) blather about the coronavirus. Rest assured fellow Americans, for someone who didn't know what happened at Pearl Harbor (i.e., out stable genius president) we can trust he doesn't know a virus from a ham burg and... we should feel even safer after having bobble-head Pence in charge which will surly guarantee none of us should spend a moment worrying about our safety - we do indeed live in bizarre times.
3
This is so crazy; The American Left has literally taken the side of a virus.
Just a month ago I laughed at a joke about how the Left would side with Cancer if Trump said said it was bad, but here we are, this is the world we live in.
Liberals hoping with all their heart for the end times, because they want validation for their TDS, as if somehow Trump caused this at all, and as if they weren't literally calling him a racist just a week ago for responding to the virus TOO quickly, and TOO decisively.
"Some people just want to watch the world burn."
3
You would know.
2
Putting Mike Pence "in charge" of our nation's responses to this worldwide public health crisis is putting an aroma therapist in charge of cancer treatment.
5
Having Trump and his cast of clowns battling a pandemic fills me with a superfluity of confidence - not! Actually Trump has been lucky something big hasn't hit the fan on his watch so far. But luck has a habit of running out
Now we'll see what happens.
1
Q: how much money
would i pay to ensure
trump became infected w/ coronavirus ?
A: i think at least one paycheck
you?
2
Corona virus? Must be caused by that Mexican beer. Another reason to tighten the border!
3
I would love to see a candidate wear a mask and refuse to glad hand supporters and kiss babies while campaigning.
Here's what I learned in Leadership Training 101.
When the center is incompetent, and it goes on to compound the situation by surrounding itself with multiple levels of incompetence, what do you think you're gonna get, eh? A catastrophe waiting to happen is what you get. So a wise leader, one who realizes they have failings, always surrounds him/herself with as much competence as will attend to your needs. Always.
Trump has only gotten as far as he has due to luck and continuance in the economic impetus that originated in deep wells of competence evinced in the prior administration. Well..that well, due entirely to that incompetence, has dried up and the luck is running out. Birds are coming home to roost.
I expect the shrieking and wailing over it to be epic; with aspersions cast in sundry directions, and no acceptance of blame by the person in the "buck stops here" job. No. He won't do that.
He's never done that; never in his entire life has he accepted responsibility for anything negative. But ain't it funny? Ain't it grand irony? Our reality TV star POTUS is now being beaten up by.....reality. But he's too stupid and arrogant to realize it.
So it goes.
John~
American Net'Zen
5
COVID 19 is concerning and gives us one more worry to face every day.It is tough enough to wake up and face all the Trump transgressions and struggle to figure out how our Democracy will survive his slings and arrows.Now we also have to worry about a pandemic.This is a one-two punch! The combination of Trump incompetence and the spread of the virus is a challenge we could not have imagined!
4
Every once in a while we need to nationalize an industry to see us through a crisis. Did private enterprise win WWII? Did Hoover overcome the Great Depression by letting the chips fall where they may? We are well aware of the priorities of the pharmaceutical industry. They differ from our own.
Trump can reward his cronies after the crisis has passed.
1
“At least Trump didn’t come before the cameras and announce solemnly, ‘Today I’m asking every American to cross your fingers.’”
Actually, he kinda did.
3
If you had any doubts that America had landed squarely in banana republic territory, they have been removed by this column. As always, the little people will suffer.
1
On the plus side, no more hate rallies if there is an epidemic.
2
Thoughts and prayers.
Well, maybe not too much on the thinking part so let's just go with the praying because all that science stuff can be wrong, ya know.
2
Gail and the people ridiculing Trumps response to this issue are the sick ones. Its laughable to think anyone would handle this any different. Its people like Gail and her out of touch followers that assure another Trump victory in November. Thanks a lot.
1
Who in this country after over three years of this misfit in the White House, except the MAGA hat Fox watchers, would look to leadership from the White House. Trump's concern is getting re-elected so he can keep stuffing taxpayer dollars in his pockets. The so called 'sanctuary' states will handle this best because authorities won't be running around doing ICE's job for them.
2
Like I say, when they put on their Red Hats they go a little nuts and then they think they are immune from the coronavirus.
4
With trump in charge we have nothing to fear. He is after all the ”leader” who calls the result of a rocket attack “headaches” and he picks the best people to handle problems. Mike Pence ex-Governor of Indiana really handled the HIV crisis in that state quite well....by the way Pence watch out for that bus heading in your direction.
7
Great. Just when I thought I already had enough to worry about. The first time I heard the guy's name - when he was announced as Trump's running mate back in the Golden Years (when Barack Obama was still our president) - I thought his name was Mike Pants. I'm hoping he's putting on his big boy ones to deal with this.
5
Gail - love your column-always funny and on target. Not laughing this time. Nope, not funny.
1
As much as we want to, we can't blame Trump for the virus. Sorry.
3
@sf If you read more than the headline, you'll understand.
2
You clearly have been infected with the Trumpvirus for over two years. Just like HIV leads to AIDS, Trumpvirus leads to Trump Derangement Syndrome and at that point you lose the ability of most of your rational thoughts. The first symptom of the syndrome is when you start blaming everything on Trump. It’s actually already widespread throughout America and incurable, although out of a sense of desperation many have turned to the holistic treatment program called Bernie Sanders, but like vitamins and other homeopathics, it actually won’t do anything beneficial and only has a placebo affect of making oneself “feel the bern”.
1
The administration has already made the decision to do nothing about the virus. They simply need to look busy enough to avoid getting blamed. [cough, cough] Katrina [cough]. The best we can hope for from Trump is he doesn't do any harm.
I know you're laughing right now. Mike Pence's prayers can apparently cure Ebola. However, that's better than Trump throwing diseased laden paper towels at Carmen Yulín Cruz. You know the subject has been discussed.
Either way, I wouldn't expect much help from the federal government on this one. Trump's sttention extends only so far as the economy is concerned. I predicted 18 months to 2 years before Trump crashed the economy. I was wrong.
Apparently, the wrath of God had to get involved. We've gone Old Testament. Something about a Pharaoh and several plagues if I recall. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Something along those lines. Mr. Pence is in way over his neck even for an Evangelical.
Fortunately, we humble Catholics know a thing or two about humility, guilt, and furious spiritual punishment. If God killing himself in mortal form just to forgive all humanity's sins isn't a guilt trip and a punishment, I don't what is. Happy Ash Wednesday.
2
Now incompetence turns deadly. It was only a matter of time. Eventually, the pandemic will be Obama's fault.
2
I think Pence's way of dealing with coronavirus will be for all of us to pray to Jesus for a miracle.
1
What we need is for Trump to get COVID-19.
Then you will see the (too late) GOP response.
Was it Japan's Prime Minister asking to close schools for a month? Also my memory, but someone diagnosed with it and released is found to have caught it again or had relapsed a month later. Pretty persistent, isn't it. What about the cruise lines? People on ships seem to to catch this virus with more frequency. Shouldn't they have canceled all cruises a month ago? The list goes on cancel all flights, classes and sporting events. Mardi Gras passed but how many were effected?
Obama listened to the experts and wound up a little peeved at them when the great pandemic flu epidemic of '08 didn't occur. Let's hope Abe, Trump, and Xi have a similar outcome.
Speaking of hope. Green's are counting unreleased CO2 due to factory shut down's in China. Apparently they believe the Corona virus is good for the planet. Some are even prematurely counting the dead as a large reduction in human population brought about by a pandemic will be good for the planet. Less greenhouse gases, you see.
1
The bright side is that Americans don't travel outside the US??
Unfortunately, soon we won't have those beautiful vacation spots in the US to travel to, instead of going overseas, because Trump is removing regulations protecting open lands in the west, clean air and water, and wildlife. Clean beaches, pristine mountain air, hiking and camping in beautiful nature...going, going, soon gone.
New US travel guides soon needed.
4
Too many real true serious problems. Can no longer joke and laugh about them as it is a very serious situation. There is no way out in view. God help us all.
The real protagonist of "Virus Week" is the mainstream press, which has clearly decided that the worldwide spread of the current coronavirus is a convenient tool for them to attack the President, even though there are at this point only several dozen cases in the U.S. It is probably inevitable that there will be many more of these, and the administration's response will be better judged then, but the press' rush to judgement now as written in this column simply betrays its true intentions to mar the President with any excuse necessary. There is a greater problem that this can cause, which is misleading the population with the truths about this virus for those who haven't been following the story since the beginning two months ago, but who cares about facts when it comes to another opportunity to bash the hated President Trump.
1
Gail, I smiled and even chuckled a bit reading your wonderful article, always loving your wicked sense of humor. One has difficulty forgetting that this administration, although a big joke in real time is in reality much more of a nightmare. I am unable to get beyond how woebegone this administration truly is. Your columns along with your great wit keeps us going through this not-so-funny Trump administration.
4
If we suffer a pandemic crisis with corona virus the fences might work in reverse. They won't be able to stop those who want to get out, not get in.
1
Oh no.
Pence actually has something to do.
Of course, he'll fail.
Then Trump can replace him on the November ticket with Kanye West.
I'm joking, but I do think Trump wants to replace Pence.
3
Comments aren’t “mean spirited”. This a global emergency and a danger involved for all of communities in the world. Pence will not stop the stock market free fall. I have no confidence in him at all to be effective.
3
I now think exploring outer space is a good idea, the only problem is if they have been watching us, they have definitely enacted severe restrictions on "Aliens" and "Immigrants".
1
Trump likes to blame the Democrats for the stock slide. He thinks they're scary....
I think the stock slide is based on the idea by traders that stocks are going to slide soon anyway and the virus has hurt the supply chain so it's better to take a profit now.
Sure, some people are buying on the drops, including traders, but soon they're just going to let the circuit breakers kick in and count their cash.
Trump's going to blame Pence after that.
1
COVID-19 has a mortality rate greater than 2%.....
on the stock market
1
Incompetent non science believers trying to figure out what a virus is. Total dismantling of our disease control abilities, denying CDC funds.Making up more myths to explain things for FOX viewers.trying to get a political advantage.
When will the trump faithful wake up? Maybe God is sending a plague to get attention to them?
3
As Trump ardently opposes undocumented aliens from getting healthcare on the public dime and frightens them afraid from having any contact with civil authorities, he guarantees that if any of them get coronavirus they will not get tested for it and will be free to spread it to the rest of us.
Of course, you only have to worry if you believe that infections have no recognition of the citizenship status of people which apparently Trump and his minions do not.
1
My suggestion for an alternate name for the virus is the
Katrinavirus. I think we will all be saying "Heck of a job, Donald" very soon.
Gee, perhaps it might have been a good idea to point out in this column that Pence’s history in the field of Public Health is abysmal. He views Public Health questions from his quaint Evangelical perspective. Evidence-based practices be damned. Science? A hoax.
While governor of Indiana, Pence slashed funding for Planned Parenthood, shut down clinics. Advice on safe sex practices was lost, and STD’s increased like wildfire. He morally disapproved of syringe exchanges, wouldn’t support them, and HIV infection spread like wildfire. Action was taken only after the CDC statistics exposed the epidemics breaking out in Indiana counties.
Hoosiers were preparing to vote Pence out as Governor when you-know-who chose him to be Vice President, in order to snag the Evangelical vote. Expect an announcement that coronavirus Is God’s punishment for the impeachment vote. Trump will likely announce this at a National Prayer Breakfast, right after he insults Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. Pence will nod admiringly and say Amen.
Let Us Pray, indeed. We’re as unprepared to deal with a pandemic as we are to deal with Russian meddling in the upcoming election.
5
Trump/Pence seem to have a basic plan: get the stock market back on track and the virus will take care of itself. The health of the stock market is what really matters to the crew running our country.
3
Pence will probably tell the president we don't need any big financial commitment to eliminating this disease. All we need is prayer.
Imagine his surprise when his heartfelt prayers don't do the trick and people continue getting sick and even dying. He'll probably blame the victims for not being sufficiently devout in their own prayers.
The non-evangelicals among us will seek out and (one hopes) receive expert care when it becomes available, and perhaps those evangelicals who survive will see that trump is not chosen by God to be our president.
1
I am not sure which I find more puzzling: the decision of Trump to blame the stock market decline on the Democrats or the decision of Gail Collins to blame Trump for the corona virus. She and the president apparently share a preference for dumping blame on people they do not like.
To start with Trump: He ought to know that in a highly globalized economy dependent on transnational supply chains functioning with minimal inventory, a slowdown in any major economic player with have an effect everywhere. So a global economy coming to a halt results in plunging stock markets
To continue with the Gail Collins: I have yet to read any proof that had the budget cuts made to the CDC not taken place, there would be so much as single additional respirator available or that we would be one step closer to a vaccine or cure for the corona virus. The only budget cut specified so far was in a previous NYT article and that concerned CDC teams in foreign nations. The nation at the center of the outbreak (China) and the nations closest to her (Korea and Japan) appear to be managing quite well without us.
3
@Quiet Waiting
It's satire, Quiet.
3
@Pia
Quiet! I will not be quite until you explain how you expect me to distinguish between satire and reality when that distinction has long since vanished from our political life.
It makes no sense to call this disease Trump virus or blame him for it. He might well be blamable for much but not this. The virus came from bats in China and the Chinese eating the bats and thereby becoming infected to pass the virus on to other humans. The Communists then tried to cover up what was happening while things got worse and infected people traveled all over the world to spread the disease. Trump's people did what they could and we have few cases transmitted within the US, and it could remain low. Panic is not in order but it has ensued: see the stock market. The panic could feed on itself and repress the world economy for some time. We are in a way our own worst enemy. It seems from the press conference last night we are doing what we can and we will be able to contain this disease and most probably recover in all regards sooner than later.
2
In this last Dem debate, the various candidate went after each other aggressively and even crossed the line in a few instances. THAT is exactly what we need in the nominee to do to Trump when they meet up for debates. And it will be SO easy to do when Trump provides so much amunition, i.e. appointing Pence, a genuinely dumn man, to lead on coronavirus.
1
@Dissatisfied so you want to use the fact that he appointed someone to adhere to the issue as an attack against him?
You're close enough to Canada... move north.
This is exactly why democratic presidential hopefuls should be talking about their potential cabinets, not just themselves. It's going to take a lot more than just one (imperfect) person to clean up all these messes.
Do you think there will even be more than 2-3 people left in the Trump administration by year 7?
1
They (except for Sanders and to a lesser extent Warren) want to pass themselves off as moderates capable of winning independents. Saying who they would staff their administration with (and which judges they would appoint) would just underscore how they are, in fact, far left candidates putting on a good front for the electorate.
We could indeed call it Trumpvirus, Gail; but that would imply that it's a fake virus, and it's effects more prone to hyperbole and bluster and bluff then an actual biological threat. And perhaps during his latest news conference this is exactly what our Man in the White House is attempting to paint it as.
I mean when Trump says earlier on when asked about the coronavirus that, "It will be gone by summer, with the warm weather" even as China had just locked down Wuhan Province, and the best epidemiologists in the world were warning that this virus could easily develop into a pandemic unless contained, it appears that our President is not only satisfied with simply blowing smoke, but may in fact have no idea how a true pandemic would affect the security and well being of our country. And yes, Trump effectively demonstrated this just a few days ago by not only cutting the CDC's budget but, that of our National Health Organizations (which would be on the front lines of helping to manage the spread of this disease here in the US, if it did reach epidemic proportions.)
What I did however, get out of the latest Dog and Pony show by this President is that if Trump suddenly, in the next few weeks, appears on the evening news saying to his Secretary of Health and Human Services (Alex Azar) the Trumpian equivalent of "Good job Brownie", I'm for one am heading for the hills.
1
Mr. Pence was actually very effective as a public servant of highest caliber in Indiana and in DC for several decades. For the sake of our Nation, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and support him in his effort to organize and spearhead the effort to control the much dreaded (albeit overblown) virus.
27
@Mikhail23 You have to have the capacity to sort through significant amounts of information and particularly if a panic develops around this, not fall into the trap of right wing conspiracy theories to be effective. Pence’s role as head of the election fraud commission inspires no confidence. He was appointed first and foremost to protect the president.
126
@Mihkail23. I had to re-read your post to make sure you weren’t being facetious. As governor, Pence famously said he had to “pray on” law enforcement and health officials’ request for a needle exchange program to help an exploding HIV epidemic in southeastern Indiana, which in turn was caused by his defunding and the resulting closure of Planned Parenthood, the only HIV prevention and testing facility in that area. His two-month delay in approving the program caused a public health crisis to become even more disastrous.
He also was the genius behind Indiana’s anti-gay legislation, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which resulted in calls by the NCAA to move the Final Four out of Indiana, NASCAR criticizing the law, and causing many CEO’s and corporations to question doing business or increasing operations in Indiana. The result was that Pence had to sign a revised version of the bill which stated that businesses could not refuse to provide service bases on sexual orientation, race, religion or disability.
Many in Indiana were extremely happy when he got kicked upstairs to V-P.
267
Check out what happened to the HIV rates in Indiana under Mike Pence’s leadership. I’m not sure he’s the right person to lead our coronavirus response.
Let me clarify: He should be nowhere near our coronavirus response.
469
"The Trump Virus?"
Hey, the President has enough names that follow him around these days. I suggest that the virus be named "The Mitch McConnell Virus." After all, he has as much as anyone helped the President give tax breaks to billionaires and large corporations. Why not honor those efforts with a more publicly identifiable name?
Just a thought. Just trying to help out.
2
I guess Pence needed SOMETHING to do besides being a bobblehead.
5
I'm pretty sure Mike Pence thinks "Global Pandemic" is a cool Christian rock band from the 90s.
5
There is a pathologically inept administration in the White House, and in November, we have the chance to eradicate it.
7
Pence has a game plan already. Just pray the germs away.
3
Yes we have no bananas.
2
It hasn't occurred to the occupant in the White House that his lies are putting his base at risk. It may end up culling those supporters because they have no money for treatment, health insurance, or the brains to seek early treatment. The Trumpvirus...
3
It's the covidfefe virus.
1
Ah, Mike Pence.
As an Evangelical Christian, he believes that it is his divine duty to hasten the rupture.
This being in charge of the COVID 19 is God’s way of telling Pence not to interfere as He smites the sinners among us so his Son can come back to earth the soonest.
Pence plan to “defeat” this virus is threefold:
1—Pray
2—Avoid gay thoughts
3—Never sneeze if your “Mother” is not in the room
See? I can feel the rupture already.
5
@Opinioned!
Rapture, but rupture works.
3
What people should Google is Mike Pence’s handling of the HIV crisis in Indiana during his term. That oughta keep people awake at night.
5
Its NOT Jared?!!
3
The base won't care; the thing about shooting someone on Fifth Avenue and getting away with it is likely true. So it's up to GOP members of Congress, most of whom are probably not as stupid as the base, to give up their greed for power in order to guard the public's health.
Will they finally dump Trump? Perhaps they will when they and theirs sicken and possibly die.
3
So the stable genius (SG) has made Pence the Coronavirus Czar. Isn’t Pence the guy who stated that smoking doesn’t kill? What about his ideas on climate change, evolution and “conversion therapy?”
I don’t expect the Coronavirus Czar to be an expert on the disease but shouldn’t he/she be someone who believes in evidence based on science? If so Pence isn’t the guy for the job as he doesn’t believe in science. Everything to him has a religious basis.
While governor of Indiana, Pence reduced the state’s public health spending. In 2015 due to his slow response to a proposal for a needle exchange program, an Indianan county had the state’s worst outbreak of HIV. When presented with the idea for the needle exchange Pence said that he would pray on it.
Over 200 people suffered due to Pence’s incompetence during the Indiana health emergency. I hope that this time he won’t take too long praying on it because more than 200 people will suffer and many may die.
And thank you to the gentleman from the CDC who had the courage to correct the SG’ lie about a vaccine right in front of the SC at the press conference! Bravo, sir!
See:
newsweek.com/mike-pences-pray-it-plan-combat-indiana-hiv-outbreak-resurfaces-after-trump-taps-vp-lead-1489344
theverge.com/2020/2/26/21155286/mike-pence-coronavirus-response-hiv
4
Is there a doctor in the house?
1
@Clairette Rose
or in the Senate, yard, or country?
It's really embarrassing that, in the face of this mess that our government has become, I can't help laughing! When will the Senate-confirmed sycophants announce that the Supreme Leader has cooked up an infallible cure in his secret lab in the White-House basement? This administration is like a hugely expensive production of "Ubu Roi."
1
@Thomas
Ah! Expand on the talents of Ubu...your reference is lost
to most of us, alas!
As one of the casts of Duck Dynasty has said —
“Jesus is my health insurance.”
You can’t make this stuff up.
3
Let us now praise our wonderful Anti-Fuhrer. His Fuhrership is a glorious antithesis. And der Pence is his most worshipful Acolyte.
I used big words. Which hopefully the Anti-Fuhrer will not sue the New York Times for.
We are in a testing time. And the time-tested Team of “only the best” is ALL - we have - to fall back on.
Pence will pray. Trump will bray.
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Mike Pence. Could there be a less able pick for “Coronavirus Czar??? Heaven help us
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@Cathlynn Groh
That's the point.
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