Posted on 02/25/2020 3:47:37 PM PST by blam
WASHINGTON — Top officials in the Trump administration struggled on Tuesday morning to justify their response to the growing threat of the coronavirus, which has sickened at least 80,423 people around the world and killed at least 2,712.
Having spread well beyond its origin in the city of Wuhan in China, COVID-19, as the disease caused by the virus is known, now appears poised to become a pandemic. Although there have been no recorded fatalities in the United States yet, skeptical members of the U.S. Senate made clear to administration officials that they did not have confidence in their response.
That was especially clear during a tense exchange between Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., and acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who struggled to answer seemingly basic questions about the disease, including about its mortality rate relative to that of the flu.
At one point during their back-and-forth, which promptly went viral on social media, Kennedy insisted that Wolf tell him the number of coronavirus cases that the United States could expect.
Wolf was unable to answer the question, saying only that the number of cases would “grow,” and that “task force members” were at work on the issues.
That assertion only served to further irritate the Louisiana senator. “You’re the secretary,” Kennedy retorted. “I think you ought to know the answer.”
There are currently 14 confirmed cases in the United States.
Kennedy then proceeded to quiz Wolf about how the coronavirus was transmitted. Wolf began to answer when Kennedy interrupted him again.
“How is it transmitted?” Kennedy said, no longer bothering to hide his irritation, his lips curling downward in annoyance.
“A variety of ways, Senator,” Wolf replied.
“Tell me what they are, please,” Kennedy demanded.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at aol.com ...
“Rush was right.”
Only in the fact that Democrats would use it against POTUS.
Senators have to preen & posture!
Right on time and as expected. Ten months out and we had GOP Senators publicly blast the President just in time for the rats Televised debate. Idiots.
“At one point during their back-and-forth, which promptly went viral on social media, Kennedy insisted that Wolf tell him the number of coronavirus cases that the United States could expect.”
The question was ignorant and stupid. At this point it is any body’s guess as to how many cases the U.S. can expect, as there is not sufficient data at this time to make a truly scientifically informed guess. The idea that officials “should know” the answer at this point is false and based on scientific ignorance.
Trump loses whether he spends a lot or a little money. His platitudes will pale if there is an outbreak and if Americans die. Action is defensible, words not so much. Do more to close the borders, lengthen quarantine, have open and transparent discussion of the risk and actions everyone can take. Action (instead of closed meetings and leaving everyone to talk).
Another global pandemic cheerleader, I see.
You’re not going to get a chance to say “I told you so.”
Again.
You’re always wrong, and I know it greatly disappoints you.
Chuck Schumer would be absolutely thrilled to see a few thousand American deaths from the virus in order to use it against President Trump.
Basically we are in a war.
And people don’t realize it yet.
Sit down and shut up, Kennedy. The grownups are in charge.
How did they react to Obama’s ebola response?
“You sure of that?” Kennedy asked.
“Yes, sir,” Wolf said.
The mortality rate for the flu is about 0.1 percent, making it about 20 times less deadly than the coronavirus.
Kennedy persisted, interrogating Wolf about whether there were enough “respirators” and “face masks.” He appeared to be referring to a supply adequate to cover the entire American population, not just the doctors who might constitute a first line of response.
Wolf appeared to be confused by the question, which only further angered Kennedy."
It's apparent to me many in this administration do not take this seriously at all and think it's no big deal.
In the words of one of my favorite philosophers, Hank Williams, Jr.
“A Country Boy Can Survive”
My God, I have to agree with you. The hysteria! This reminds me of all the other diseases that sent freepers into orbit over the last 20 years.
Senators have to preen & posture!
...
Dang, I stand corrected...I thought it was boast and bloviate!
They will be claiming people are dying in the streets soon
They will be claiming people are dying in the streets soon rush was right
POTUS could use it to his advantage and say how dangerous it is not to have a border wall.
That was his mistake. He could have made up a number which would be 100% wrong and then apologized for the mistake down the road.
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