[Farm93]

The United States was probably one of the top 2-3 most prepared countries to deal with a pandemic. There was a 60+ page pandemic response manual prepared for the White House. When the transition from 44 to 45 happened, someone who was since fired or otherwise removed from a position of influence to use it, was really happy to have and appreciated the guidance because he planned to have the new administration use it if ever faced with the need, so he thought.

IOW, the White House had an instruction manual to follow - probably few countries had - but never took it out of the proverbial drawer and totally pissed away the first mover advantage the U.S. had. Who the hell knows why the manual was ignored, but anyone who thinks the White House hasn't failed spectacularly really needs to read this:

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/25...cil-149285 

No, the virus couldn't have been completely stopped, but had recommendations that were available and produced by people who knew WTF they were doing actually been followed, which includes responding quickly and in a coordinated fashion, we wouldn't be facing the catastraf*ck on the scale we are now.  

Highlighting failures and blaming people are two sides of the same coin. This post isn't an effort to blame anyone as much as it is to highlight the value of having the best people in charge, and the importance of holding those who screw up accountable. Because without accountability, there will be nothing but more disaster ahead.

This is why a few senators, especially the two GOP senators, sold stock when they heard the pandemic was becoming global.   They knew, more than the rest of us, how little of our traditional global pandemic playbook would likely be applied by 45 and his "team".

It is what it is.  We can all hold out hope that April and May warmth will slow the virus down.

The UN and fellow NATO leaders laughed at POTUS-45 in the past.   I doubt they will laugh at him the next time they see him.   Anger and pity maybe, but hard to laugh at someone that clearly failed at his #1 task, doing everything he could to keep his citizens healthy and safe.

[Farm93]

The United States was probably one of the top 2-3 most prepared countries to deal with a pandemic. There was a 60+ page pandemic response manual prepared for the White House. When the transition from 44 to 45 happened, someone who was since fired or otherwise removed from a position of influence to use it, was really happy to have and appreciated the guidance because he planned to have the new administration use it if ever faced with the need, so he thought.

IOW, the White House had an instruction manual to follow - probably few countries had - but never took it out of the proverbial drawer and totally pissed away the first mover advantage the U.S. had. Who the hell knows why the manual was ignored, but anyone who thinks the White House hasn't failed spectacularly really needs to read this:

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/25...cil-149285 

No, the virus couldn't have been completely stopped, but had recommendations that were available and produced by people who knew WTF they were doing actually been followed, which includes responding quickly and in a coordinated fashion, we wouldn't be facing the catastraf*ck on the scale we are now.  

Highlighting failures and blaming people are two sides of the same coin. This post isn't an effort to blame anyone as much as it is to highlight the value of having the best people in charge, and the importance of holding those who screw up accountable. Because without accountability, there will be nothing but more disaster ahead.

This is why a few senators, especially the two GOP senators, sold stock when they heard the pandemic was becoming global.   They knew, more than the rest of us, how little of our traditional global pandemic playbook would likely be applied by 45 and his "team".

It is what it is.  We can all hold out hope that April and May warmth will slow the virus down.

The UN and fellow NATO leaders laughed at POTUS-45 in the past.   I doubt they will laugh at him the next time they see him.   Anger and pity maybe, but hard to laugh at someone that clearly failed at his #1 task, doing everything he could to keep his citizens healthy and safe.