[Genuine Realist]

I've been using some simple math: if we have 4% of the world's population, and 20% of it's Covid deaths, then it seems reasonable to say we have five times (20/4) more Covid deaths than we would have had with rest-of-the-world level of national response. One fifth of our 210K Covid deaths would be 42K. I blame Trump for 210K-42K, so 168K.



Of course I realize that's over simplification. And it's cheating to give what seems like an exact number, 168K, for what is a collection of estimates and assumptions that could really be better stated as "about 150K" or "more than 100K."

I think it is much more than an "oversimplification". It requires that all of the world is homogeneous, all peoples are the same, all countries are identical in every way ... Clearly not true. It also requires that EVERYTHING involving Covid-19 deaths is driven and controlled solely by the POTUS, which is also clearly not true.

One could in fact argue that the USA should have advantages in fighting Covid-19 over other nations, because we have a stronger economy, more scientists etc. I think there is plenty to blame Trump for, but let's not go into areas that require assumptions that we know are incorrect.

Trump should be promoting confidence in the good faith and ultimate success of Western medical science. But there's no question there have been a fair number of stops and starts, and some governmental overkill. The mask-and-six-feet regimen seems to work, but it took some time to get there. I notice emphasis on fomites has fallen off, not many gloves any longer, though lots of hand sanitizer.

The bottom line is that this is a federation of States, which authority (by design) spread out over a vast number of States and entities. Biden in his recent town meeting on NBC emphasized his intention to rely on the good sense and judgment of the 50 governors. As a matter of practical fact, that's pretty much what has happened since March.

The point? It's tough to make much sense of the national statistics of the US. Too much diversity. New York, Michigan, and California have completely different responses to the pandemic.

[Genuine Realist]

I've been using some simple math: if we have 4% of the world's population, and 20% of it's Covid deaths, then it seems reasonable to say we have five times (20/4) more Covid deaths than we would have had with rest-of-the-world level of national response. One fifth of our 210K Covid deaths would be 42K. I blame Trump for 210K-42K, so 168K.



Of course I realize that's over simplification. And it's cheating to give what seems like an exact number, 168K, for what is a collection of estimates and assumptions that could really be better stated as "about 150K" or "more than 100K."

I think it is much more than an "oversimplification". It requires that all of the world is homogeneous, all peoples are the same, all countries are identical in every way ... Clearly not true. It also requires that EVERYTHING involving Covid-19 deaths is driven and controlled solely by the POTUS, which is also clearly not true.

One could in fact argue that the USA should have advantages in fighting Covid-19 over other nations, because we have a stronger economy, more scientists etc. I think there is plenty to blame Trump for, but let's not go into areas that require assumptions that we know are incorrect.

Trump should be promoting confidence in the good faith and ultimate success of Western medical science. But there's no question there have been a fair number of stops and starts, and some governmental overkill. The mask-and-six-feet regimen seems to work, but it took some time to get there. I notice emphasis on fomites has fallen off, not many gloves any longer, though lots of hand sanitizer.

The bottom line is that this is a federation of States, which authority (by design) spread out over a vast number of States and entities. Biden in his recent town meeting on NBC emphasized his intention to rely on the good sense and judgment of the 50 governors. As a matter of practical fact, that's pretty much what has happened since March.

The point? It's tough to make much sense of the national statistics of the US. Too much diversity. New York, Michigan, and California have completely different responses to the pandemic.