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The Trump and Boris Johnson Covid Experiences Compared - Printable Version

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The Trump and Boris Johnson Covid Experiences Compared - Genuine Realist - 10-05-2020

One of the rare journalistic pieces that seem to be detached and neutral.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54416356

RE: The Trump and Boris Johnson Covid Experiences Compared - OutsiderFan - 10-06-2020

That story is rubbish for more reasons than I care to get into, but I'll knock it down by destroying its foundation.

The idea that because there were doctors doing the POTUS medical briefing, it implies credibility, is absurd. Dr. Conley isn't a real Covid doctor and he works for the POTUS as CiC.  It would have been more honest to put the White House Press Secretary in a white coat, hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing glasses, and have her brief the press pretending to be a doctor. If a member of the press suspected it was her and asked "Kayleigh, is that you?" she would say "No, but I get that a lot," continuing to deny until she had to undo the ponytail, take off the glasses and white coat. That wouldn't be any less farcical than the men in white coats theatrical production that was done, and apparently conned the BBC reporter.

RE: The Trump and Boris Johnson Covid Experiences Compared - Farm93 - 10-06-2020

(10-06-2020, 05:34 AM)OutsiderFan Wrote:  That story is rubbish for more reasons than I care to get into, but I'll knock it down by destroying its foundation.

The idea that because there were doctors doing the POTUS medical briefing, it implies credibility, is absurd. Dr. Conley isn't a real Covid doctor and he works for the POTUS as CiC.  It would have been more honest to put the White House Press Secretary in a white coat, hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing glasses, and have her brief the press pretending to be a doctor. If a member of the press suspected it was her and asked "Kayleigh, is that you?" she would say "No, but I get that a lot," continuing to deny until she had to undo the ponytail, take off the glasses and white coat. That wouldn't be any less farcical than the men in white coats theatrical production that was done, and apparently conned the BBC reporter.
They were a medical team.  They just were a military medical team that clearly took their orders from CiC seriously.

For me the vastly better comparison is Bolsonaro and Trump.

Bolsonaro implied his battle with COVID was no big deal.
Bolsonaro jumped back to action even while many were concerned he was still contagious
Bolsonaro indicated his personal experience with COVID was proof positive that the country needed to push forward.

And Bolsonaro has seen his approval stabilize or even improve despite having a large number of COVID deaths.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-poll/poll-shows-jump-in-approval-for-brazils-bolsonaro-amid-pandemic-idUSKCN26F369

So I think we are going to see Trump utilize the Bolsonaro playbook for the next 30 days since Johnson's approval ratings quickly tanked after those inclined to sympathy related approval turned away just a week after his recovery.

RE: The Trump and Boris Johnson Covid Experiences Compared - Genuine Realist - 10-06-2020

(10-06-2020, 06:00 AM)Farm93 Wrote:  
(10-06-2020, 05:34 AM)OutsiderFan Wrote:  That story is rubbish for more reasons than I care to get into, but I'll knock it down by destroying its foundation.

The idea that because there were doctors doing the POTUS medical briefing, it implies credibility, is absurd. Dr. Conley isn't a real Covid doctor and he works for the POTUS as CiC.  It would have been more honest to put the White House Press Secretary in a white coat, hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing glasses, and have her brief the press pretending to be a doctor. If a member of the press suspected it was her and asked "Kayleigh, is that you?" she would say "No, but I get that a lot," continuing to deny until she had to undo the ponytail, take off the glasses and white coat. That wouldn't be any less farcical than the men in white coats theatrical production that was done, and apparently conned the BBC reporter.
The general impression is that the British gave too little information, the US too much. 
They were a medical team.  They just were a military medical team that clearly took their orders from CiC seriously.

For me the vastly better comparison is Bolsonaro and Trump.

Bolsonaro implied his battle with COVID was no big deal.
Bolsonaro jumped back to action even while many were concerned he was still contagious
Bolsonaro indicated his personal experience with COVID was proof positive that the country needed to push forward.

And Bolsonaro has seen his approval stabilize or even improve despite having a large number of COVID deaths.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-poll/poll-shows-jump-in-approval-for-brazils-bolsonaro-amid-pandemic-idUSKCN26F369

So I think we are going to see Trump utilize the Bolsonaro playbook for the next 30 days since Johnson's approval ratings quickly tanked after those inclined to sympathy related approval turned away just a week after his recovery.


RE: The Trump and Boris Johnson Covid Experiences Compared - BostonCard - 10-06-2020

I had a somewhat different thought.  Yes, I agree that the piece was detached and neutral.  However, I also thought it was not very informative (or, at least, the premise was pretty sophomoric).  It came across as a middle school essay with a prompt "Describe the similarities and differences between the experience with COVID-19 between the leaders of the United States and the United Kingdom".

BC

RE: The Trump and Boris Johnson Covid Experiences Compared - teejers1 - 10-06-2020

(10-06-2020, 08:14 AM)BostonCard Wrote:  I had a somewhat different thought.  Yes, I agree that the piece was detached and neutral.  However, I also thought it was not very informative (or, at least, the premise was pretty sophomoric).  It came across as a middle school essay with a prompt "Describe the similarities and differences between the experience with COVID-19 between the leaders of the United States and the United Kingdom".

BC

My reaction, as well.  
And maybe one other basic conclusion:  doctors more knowledgeable now => better treatment for world leaders.
But hey, kudos for just reporting without an agenda (or at least one that bangs you over the head).  Something rare in this day and age.