In this case the President has weaponized the virus as a political issue. A sizeable number of people in the country don't believe that it's a serious issue and

In this case the President has weaponized the virus as a political issue. A sizeable number of people in the country don't believe that it's a serious issue and won't until their local hospitals are literally overrun. Maybe even not then. I believe you are seriously underestimating the effect of chaff being thrown into the air over this issue on a number of fronts. It makes it much, much harder to have people follow public health advice or put pressure on lawmakers to pass the necessary appropriations that will be required to address the situation.