[oldalum]

Do you honestly think there is nothing else the administration could have done differently that might have put us in a better position now?

I know you're not asking me, but one thing I would identify (among others) is this: SiP was (and still is) the most effective tool we had/have to reduce transmission of the virus in the population. It took a lot of analysis, confidence, consultation with epidemiology experts, etc. for the SF Bay Area health officers to institute it on March 16, followed soon by Newsom for all of California. It also took a receptive populace and political support and courage. If the Trump administration had right away vigorously endorsed and encouraged this step nationwide, particularly by Trump himself, I suspect other health officers and politicians around the country might have acted similarly sooner, and each day of delay represented a significant increase in cases. To me that was (and is) a significant failure that likely caused significant harm, and that is on Trump and his fellow minimizing inner circle of advisors whom he is responsible for. In this respect and others, what Trump says is important. It's not just that we can ignore his often-ridiculous babble and focus on how he and his administration walks (although there are significant problems with that too).

[oldalum]

Do you honestly think there is nothing else the administration could have done differently that might have put us in a better position now?

I know you're not asking me, but one thing I would identify (among others) is this: SiP was (and still is) the most effective tool we had/have to reduce transmission of the virus in the population. It took a lot of analysis, confidence, consultation with epidemiology experts, etc. for the SF Bay Area health officers to institute it on March 16, followed soon by Newsom for all of California. It also took a receptive populace and political support and courage. If the Trump administration had right away vigorously endorsed and encouraged this step nationwide, particularly by Trump himself, I suspect other health officers and politicians around the country might have acted similarly sooner, and each day of delay represented a significant increase in cases. To me that was (and is) a significant failure that likely caused significant harm, and that is on Trump and his fellow minimizing inner circle of advisors whom he is responsible for. In this respect and others, what Trump says is important. It's not just that we can ignore his often-ridiculous babble and focus on how he and his administration walks (although there are significant problems with that too).