We are not merely experiencing a localized health crisis, like an increase in seasonal flu along the east coast. This is a global pandemic. The United States cannot simply take that position that this is China’s problem or Europe’s problem. Bad COVID policy decisions instituted by the current administration can and will cause the death of Americans. Somebody needs to inform the public.
Pandemic day 19
The president of the United States of America is an elected official. It is the job of journalists to hold elected officials accountable. When journalists confront the president of the United States with his own words, it is not acceptable for him to deflect public scrutiny by saying “that’s just a nasty question”. It is incredibly dangerous for the president of the United States, or any elected official for that matter, to describe journalists as “the enemy of the people”. Demonizing the media is a tactic which has been commonly employed by tyrants and dictators throughout modern history.
The moment we no longer have a free press, anything can happen. What makes it possible for a totalitarian or any other dictatorship to rule is that people are not informed.
Hannah Arendt
So here we are in the middle of the Trumpocalypse. For months this president has downplayed the severity of the coronavirus pandemic. He has minimized, deflected and out-right lied about our nations preparedness and response. Somehow, even hearing Trump’s own words in their full context; his supporters continue to ape his sentiments that the mainstream media is “fake news”.
A lot of people are having a hard time adjusting to feelings of isolation during our quarantine. mental health is becoming a very real issue. Me? I can cope with the solitude. What makes me crazy is hearing people defend Trump despite an avalanche of his own words and actions which demonstrate that he is unfit for political office at any level.
Originally Published 30 March 2020