3 ms·

How A Pandemic Might Play Out Under Trump (2016)

37 points by Edmond 7y ago

phenkdo 7y ago
Very prescient and prophetic article
soared 7y ago
Interesting title, but not much beyond that. The author kind of just follows typical Trump bashing “he’ll lie to the public, be bad at international politics, try to start a trade war” etc. almost entirely not what’s happening, not that the reality is significantly better. Some interesting thoughts on Ebola and fake news though. It seems like there hasn’t been (as far as I’ve seen) much fake news like there was with Ebola. Instead we have people downplaying the severity, which might still be counted as fake news.
- iron0013 7y ago
  Did we read the same article? The author discusses three main ways that trump could fail in the face of a pandemic: 1) he could spread misinformation about the disease and its prevention and treatment, 2) he could shut down travel from affected countries, vocally stoking xenophobia as he does so, and 3) he could fail to empower and financially support disease research and prevention programs and government organizations. On those three points trump has certainly performed as poorly as the author anticipated he might—-and in some ways even worse than the author imagined.
  - oliverx0 7y ago
    He announced that he would remove red-tape and fund research specifically to fight the cornovavirus. Just watch his speech. On the other 2 points you seem to be right though.
  - tathougies 7y ago
    This is ridiculous. > he could shut down travel from affected countries This is a good thing, and something that does in fact save lives. It is the international equivalent of social distancing. It is good that we have a president willing to take this step. This need not be political, and I would hope any president, regardless of party, would be willing to do this relatively easy thing to save american lives. > 3) he could fail to empower and financially support disease research and prevention programs and government organizations The FDA regulations that ensured that COVID tests weren't sent to market are not unique to the trump administration. With regards to misinformation... Trump announced in his speech that his administration is encouraging people to engage in social distancing. He put forth a quarantine order. They are considering issuing guidance to close schools. He also used his executive authority (which of course does not include funding) to provide funds to small business -- those most at risk of collapse. These are all measures that work.
    - jgwil2 7y ago
      You are conveniently ignoring the past month he spent downplaying its seriousness.

37 points by Edmond 7y ago

Very prescient and prophetic article

Interesting title, but not much beyond that. The author kind of just follows typical Trump bashing “he’ll lie to the public, be bad at international politics, try to start a trade war” etc. almost entirely not what’s happening, not that the reality is significantly better. Some interesting thoughts on Ebola and fake news though. It seems like there hasn’t been (as far as I’ve seen) much fake news like there was with Ebola. Instead we have people downplaying the severity, which might still be counted as fake news.

iron0013 7y ago
Did we read the same article? The author discusses three main ways that trump could fail in the face of a pandemic: 1) he could spread misinformation about the disease and its prevention and treatment, 2) he could shut down travel from affected countries, vocally stoking xenophobia as he does so, and 3) he could fail to empower and financially support disease research and prevention programs and government organizations. On those three points trump has certainly performed as poorly as the author anticipated he might—-and in some ways even worse than the author imagined.
- oliverx0 7y ago
  He announced that he would remove red-tape and fund research specifically to fight the cornovavirus. Just watch his speech. On the other 2 points you seem to be right though.
- tathougies 7y ago
  This is ridiculous. > he could shut down travel from affected countries This is a good thing, and something that does in fact save lives. It is the international equivalent of social distancing. It is good that we have a president willing to take this step. This need not be political, and I would hope any president, regardless of party, would be willing to do this relatively easy thing to save american lives. > 3) he could fail to empower and financially support disease research and prevention programs and government organizations The FDA regulations that ensured that COVID tests weren't sent to market are not unique to the trump administration. With regards to misinformation... Trump announced in his speech that his administration is encouraging people to engage in social distancing. He put forth a quarantine order. They are considering issuing guidance to close schools. He also used his executive authority (which of course does not include funding) to provide funds to small business -- those most at risk of collapse. These are all measures that work.
  - jgwil2 7y ago
    You are conveniently ignoring the past month he spent downplaying its seriousness.