It’s easy to think that that the entire Trump administration is filled with bumbling idiots. That they are stumbling from one day to the next, really just lucky to still be alive. That they can’t formulate a plan for the pandemic. And even if they had one, they would have no idea how to implement it.
But that is not true.
The truth is, Trump has a plan. Trump has a plan for making workplaces safer. He has a plan for testing. He has a plan for contract tracing. He has a plan to keep people as safe as possible during this pandemic.
Here’s the thing—This plan is not for you.
What’s more, the plan has already been successfully implemented. The foundation of this plan are two key elements — frequent testing and contact tracing. Elements recommended by virtually all public health officials, but which Trump, in front of the cameras, tells the American people we don’t need. Trump’s plan has likely already saved lives. Specifically Donald Trump’s and Mike Pence’s lives.
But they won’t save your life, because ; Too costly; All the bother; It would take a lot of effort. Let’s face it, in Donald Trump’s eyes, you are just not worth it. No American is worth it, except for Trumps friends and family. But he is absolutely not going to consider applying this plan to the general population.
Testing and Tracing are not for you.
Recent stories of Trump staffers testing positive are not failures. Failure would be not testing and instead, exposing Trump multiple times through numerous contacts to the virus, with Trump ending up hospitalized like Boris Johnson. Positive test results are successes. Yes, the people may be interfacing with Trump and Pence, and that’s unfortunate — but they were quickly caught and quarantined, limiting Trump’s exposure as much as possible.
Trump is not sheltering in place. He’s going to mask factories, but not wearing masks. He’s meeting people at the White House in the oval office. He’s flying across country. And he’s safe because they have a plan for testing and contact tracing that is so robust that Trump can go about his day with much less concern. Of course it also helps to fly on a plane that isn’t crowded and in which everyone on board has been tested on an ongoing basis.
When ask how regular people should feel about going back to work, Trump says they should be “warriors.” Congratulations, you've just been drafted in Trump’s Wartime forces. Cadet Bone-spurs thinks you should go into the thick of battle with no body armor, no helmet, no weapons, no cover. Just go out there and fight for his economy and do it NOW! If enough of people go into battle — sure some will die — but those who make it through will have the joy of being part of Trump’s much needed economic revival. Much needed because he has an election to win and to do so, he’s willing to make your sacrifice.
Trump has a plan. A plan most medical experts agree is the best plan possible. It’s just not a plan you will ever enjoy.
Chris Hayes puts it clearly...