By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host
My sister in law, recently, told my wife that President Trump has been slow to respond to the coronavirus. I don’t fault my sister in law, she is a product of what she hears from the mainstream media. For her, and you, I wish to set the record straight, and show you how flawed the “Trump did not respond fast enough to the coronavirus” claim truly is.
Below
I list some of the liberal left’s claims, and in bold the Trump
administration’s actions so that you can get your bearings. Most of Trump’s actions I notated as they happened. For Trump’s timeline regarding the coronavirus you may also go HERE.
I list some of the liberal left’s claims, and in bold the Trump
administration’s actions so that you can get your bearings. Most of Trump’s actions I notated as they happened. For Trump’s timeline regarding the coronavirus you may also go HERE.
·
January 6, 2020,
CDC warns Americans to take precautions if traveling to China.
January 6, 2020,
CDC warns Americans to take precautions if traveling to China.
·
January
8, 2020, New York Times, Sui-Lee Wee and Donald G. McNeil Jr.
January
8, 2020, New York Times, Sui-Lee Wee and Donald G. McNeil Jr.
o
There
is no evidence that the new virus is readily spread by humans.
There
is no evidence that the new virus is readily spread by humans.
§ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/health/china-pneumonia-outbreak-virus.html
·
January 8, 2020,
CDC issues an alert about the coronavirus.
January 8, 2020,
CDC issues an alert about the coronavirus.
·
January
14, 2020, Tweet by the World Health Organization (WHO)
January
14, 2020, Tweet by the World Health Organization (WHO)
o
Preliminary
investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear
evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCOV)
identified in #Wuhan, #China
Preliminary
investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear
evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCOV)
identified in #Wuhan, #China
·
January
15, 2020, Democrats were not concerned about the coronavirus, and instead were
more preoccupied with Nancy Pelosi signing the Articles of Impeachment, and
handing out the souvenir pens she used to sign it.
January
15, 2020, Democrats were not concerned about the coronavirus, and instead were
more preoccupied with Nancy Pelosi signing the Articles of Impeachment, and
handing out the souvenir pens she used to sign it.
·
January 20, 2020,
CDC activates its Emergency Operations Center.
January 20, 2020,
CDC activates its Emergency Operations Center.
·
January 21,
2020, CDC reports the first confirmed case of the new novel coronavirus
reported in the United States.
January 21,
2020, CDC reports the first confirmed case of the new novel coronavirus
reported in the United States.
·
January
21, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci (while President Trump utilized him, Fauci’s
connections to the Clintons and Obamas are unmistaken) told Newsmax’s Greg
Kelly…
January
21, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci (while President Trump utilized him, Fauci’s
connections to the Clintons and Obamas are unmistaken) told Newsmax’s Greg
Kelly…
o
This
is not a major threat to the people of the United States and this is not
something that the citizens of the United States should be worried about right
now.
This
is not a major threat to the people of the United States and this is not
something that the citizens of the United States should be worried about right
now.
·
January 23,
2020, State Department orders the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel
and their family members from Wuhan. CDC
raises travel notice for China to level 3.
January 23,
2020, State Department orders the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel
and their family members from Wuhan. CDC
raises travel notice for China to level 3.
·
January
26, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci during an interview with radio show host John
Catsimatidis said…
January
26, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci during an interview with radio show host John
Catsimatidis said…
o
It’s
a very, very low risk to the United States.
It’s
a very, very low risk to the United States.
·
January
28, 2020, Dan Vergano in an article on BuzzFeed.com wrote
January
28, 2020, Dan Vergano in an article on BuzzFeed.com wrote
o
Don’t
worry about the coronavirus. Worry about
the flu.
Don’t
worry about the coronavirus. Worry about
the flu.
·
January 29,
2020, President Trump announces the formation of the President’s Coronavirus
Task Force.
January 29,
2020, President Trump announces the formation of the President’s Coronavirus
Task Force.
·
January
30, 2020, Tweet by Vox
January
30, 2020, Tweet by Vox
o
Is
this going to be a deadly pandemic? No.
Is
this going to be a deadly pandemic? No.
·
January 31,
2020, HHS Secretary Azar declares a U.S. public health emergency for
COVID-19. Trump signed an executive
order (proclamation) barring entry into the United States of most foreign
nationals who traveled to China within the past 14 days.
January 31,
2020, HHS Secretary Azar declares a U.S. public health emergency for
COVID-19. Trump signed an executive
order (proclamation) barring entry into the United States of most foreign
nationals who traveled to China within the past 14 days.
·
January
31, 2020, Headline in the Washington Post
January
31, 2020, Headline in the Washington Post
o
How
Our Brains Make Coronavirus Seem Scarier Than It Is
How
Our Brains Make Coronavirus Seem Scarier Than It Is
o
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/01/31/how-our-brains-make-coronavirus-seem-scarier-than-it-is/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/01/31/how-our-brains-make-coronavirus-seem-scarier-than-it-is/
·
January
31, 2020, CNN’s Jessie Yeung wrote an article with the headline: As the
coronavirus spreads, fear is fueling racism and xenophobia.
January
31, 2020, CNN’s Jessie Yeung wrote an article with the headline: As the
coronavirus spreads, fear is fueling racism and xenophobia.
o
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/asia/wuhan-coronavirus-racism-fear-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/asia/wuhan-coronavirus-racism-fear-intl-hnk/index.html
·
February 2,
2020, State Department issues a travel advisory for China.
February 2,
2020, State Department issues a travel advisory for China.
·
February
2, 2020, New York City Health Commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, released a
statement that was picked up by national media outlets.
February
2, 2020, New York City Health Commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, released a
statement that was picked up by national media outlets.
o
“The
risk to New Yorkers for the coronavirus is low, and that our preparedness as a
city is very high. There is no reason
not to take the subway, not to take the bus, not to go out to your favorite
restaurant.”
“The
risk to New Yorkers for the coronavirus is low, and that our preparedness as a
city is very high. There is no reason
not to take the subway, not to take the bus, not to go out to your favorite
restaurant.”
·
February
3, 2020, Headline in the Washington Post: Why We Should Be Wary of an
Aggressive Government Response to Coronavirus
February
3, 2020, Headline in the Washington Post: Why We Should Be Wary of an
Aggressive Government Response to Coronavirus
o
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/03/why-we-should-be-wary-an-aggressive-government-response-coronavirus/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/03/why-we-should-be-wary-an-aggressive-government-response-coronavirus/
·
February 4,
2020, FDA issues Emergency Use Authorization for CDC’s in vitro diagnostic
tests.
February 4,
2020, FDA issues Emergency Use Authorization for CDC’s in vitro diagnostic
tests.
·
February 4,
2020, While President Trump mentions the coronavirus in his State of the Union
Address, the Democrats were criticizing the President for being a xenophobe and
racist regarding his actions associated with the pandemic. At the end of the President’s speech, House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up the House of Representatives copy of the speech
for all of America to see (in plain view of the cameras). It was found out later that destruction of
official congressional documents without proper authorization and protocol is a
felony, but no retribution befell the Democrat leader.
February 4,
2020, While President Trump mentions the coronavirus in his State of the Union
Address, the Democrats were criticizing the President for being a xenophobe and
racist regarding his actions associated with the pandemic. At the end of the President’s speech, House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up the House of Representatives copy of the speech
for all of America to see (in plain view of the cameras). It was found out later that destruction of
official congressional documents without proper authorization and protocol is a
felony, but no retribution befell the Democrat leader.
·
February
5, 2020, Headline in the New York Times, in response to President Trump’s
travel ban from China.
February
5, 2020, Headline in the New York Times, in response to President Trump’s
travel ban from China.
o
Who
Says It’s Not Safe to Travel to China?
Who
Says It’s Not Safe to Travel to China?
§ “The coronavirus
travel ban is unjust and doesn’t work anyway.”
travel ban is unjust and doesn’t work anyway.”
·
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/opinion/china-travel-coronavirus.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/opinion/china-travel-coronavirus.html
·
February
24, 2020, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi conducts political stunt hugging Asians in
San Francisco’s Chinatown, encouraging everyone to socially-undistance.
February
24, 2020, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi conducts political stunt hugging Asians in
San Francisco’s Chinatown, encouraging everyone to socially-undistance.
·
February 24,
2020, White House requests from Congress $1.25 billion in new funding to help with
coronavirus response.
February 24,
2020, White House requests from Congress $1.25 billion in new funding to help with
coronavirus response.
·
February
24, 2020, Some of the Democrats were beginning to shift gears, realizing that
politically it was to their advantage to use the coronavirus to attack
President Trump. After denying that the
coronavirus could be a serious threat for months, after the White House
requested new funding to help with the coronavirus response, Senator Chuck
Schumer of New York said the emergency request was “too little too late.” The New York Times in their article regarding
the request called Trump’s handling of the virus a “lackadaisical response.”
February
24, 2020, Some of the Democrats were beginning to shift gears, realizing that
politically it was to their advantage to use the coronavirus to attack
President Trump. After denying that the
coronavirus could be a serious threat for months, after the White House
requested new funding to help with the coronavirus response, Senator Chuck
Schumer of New York said the emergency request was “too little too late.” The New York Times in their article regarding
the request called Trump’s handling of the virus a “lackadaisical response.”
o
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-response.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-response.html
·
February 26,
2020, Vice President Mike Pence named to lead the government’s response to the
coronavirus.
February 26,
2020, Vice President Mike Pence named to lead the government’s response to the
coronavirus.
·
February
26, 2020, Headline in New York Times
February
26, 2020, Headline in New York Times
o
“Let’s
Call It Trumpvirus”
“Let’s
Call It Trumpvirus”
o
Sub-headline:
“If you’re feeling awful, you know who to blame.”
Sub-headline:
“If you’re feeling awful, you know who to blame.”
§ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/opinion/coronavirus-trump.html
·
February 27,
2020, Dr. Birx was announced as being the new White House coronavirus response
coordinator.
February 27,
2020, Dr. Birx was announced as being the new White House coronavirus response
coordinator.
·
February
27, 2020, Tweet by Ginia Bellafante of the New York Times
February
27, 2020, Tweet by Ginia Bellafante of the New York Times
o
I
fundamentally don’t understand the panic: incidence of the disease is declining
in China. Virus is not deadly in vast
majority of cases. Production and so on
will slow down and will obviously rebound.
I
fundamentally don’t understand the panic: incidence of the disease is declining
in China. Virus is not deadly in vast
majority of cases. Production and so on
will slow down and will obviously rebound.
·
February 29,
2020, Travel restrictions extended to Iran, South Korea, and Italy.
February 29,
2020, Travel restrictions extended to Iran, South Korea, and Italy.
·
February 29,
2020, A new FDA policy established to expand coronavirus testing.
February 29,
2020, A new FDA policy established to expand coronavirus testing.
·
**** February
29, 2020 **** Key moment: Public Officials began to suspect that the novel
coronavirus was beginning to infect Americans through “community spread”. Due to this knowledge, the concept of “social
distancing” and “Shelter-in-place” policies began to take shape more rapidly.
**** February
29, 2020 **** Key moment: Public Officials began to suspect that the novel
coronavirus was beginning to infect Americans through “community spread”. Due to this knowledge, the concept of “social
distancing” and “Shelter-in-place” policies began to take shape more rapidly.
·
February
29, 2020, Dr. Fauci on The Today Show, “There’s no need to change anything
you’re doing on a day by day basis.
Right now the risk is still low, but this could change. I’ve said that many times even on this
program. You’ve got to watch out because
although the risk is low now, you don’t need to change anything you’re
doing. When you start to see community
spread, this could change and force you to become much more attentive to doing
things that would protect you from spread.”
February
29, 2020, Dr. Fauci on The Today Show, “There’s no need to change anything
you’re doing on a day by day basis.
Right now the risk is still low, but this could change. I’ve said that many times even on this
program. You’ve got to watch out because
although the risk is low now, you don’t need to change anything you’re
doing. When you start to see community
spread, this could change and force you to become much more attentive to doing
things that would protect you from spread.”
·
March
2, 2020, In a Tweet by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
March
2, 2020, In a Tweet by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
o
Since
I’m encouraging New Yorkers to go on with their lives + get out on the town
despite Coronavirus, I thought I would offer some suggestions. Here’s the first: thru Thurs 3/5 go see “The
Traitor” @FilmLinc. If “The Wire” was a true story + set in Italy, it would be
this film.
Since
I’m encouraging New Yorkers to go on with their lives + get out on the town
despite Coronavirus, I thought I would offer some suggestions. Here’s the first: thru Thurs 3/5 go see “The
Traitor” @FilmLinc. If “The Wire” was a true story + set in Italy, it would be
this film.
·
March
2, 2020, Quote by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
March
2, 2020, Quote by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
o
“…when
you’re saying what happened in other countries vs. what happened here, we don’t
even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.”
“…when
you’re saying what happened in other countries vs. what happened here, we don’t
even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.”
·
March 2, 2020,
President Trump discussed the coronavirus with the drug industry, pressing them
to help in containing the coronavirus.
March 2, 2020,
President Trump discussed the coronavirus with the drug industry, pressing them
to help in containing the coronavirus.
·
March
4, 2020, Parroting BuzzFeed from two months earlier, CNN’s Anderson Cooper told
viewers to “Be more concerned about the flu” than coronavirus.
March
4, 2020, Parroting BuzzFeed from two months earlier, CNN’s Anderson Cooper told
viewers to “Be more concerned about the flu” than coronavirus.
o
“Half
of Americans do not get a flu shot, and the flu right now is far deadlier, so
if you’re freaked out at all about the coronavirus, you should be more
concerned about the flu, and you can actually do something about it, get a flu
shot.”
“Half
of Americans do not get a flu shot, and the flu right now is far deadlier, so
if you’re freaked out at all about the coronavirus, you should be more
concerned about the flu, and you can actually do something about it, get a flu
shot.”
·
March
8, 2020, CNN’s Chris Cillizza asks, “Is coronavirus Donald Trump’s Katrina?”
March
8, 2020, CNN’s Chris Cillizza asks, “Is coronavirus Donald Trump’s Katrina?”
·
March
9, 2020, Washington Post’s Brian Klaas writes, “The coronavirus is Trump’s
Chernobyl.”
March
9, 2020, Washington Post’s Brian Klaas writes, “The coronavirus is Trump’s
Chernobyl.”
o
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/09/coronavirus-is-trumps-chernobyl/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/09/coronavirus-is-trumps-chernobyl/
·
March
9, 2020, Dr. Fauci states that “if you are a healthy young person … go on a
cruise ship … an individual who has an underlying condition … I would recommend
strongly that they do not go on a cruise ship.”
March
9, 2020, Dr. Fauci states that “if you are a healthy young person … go on a
cruise ship … an individual who has an underlying condition … I would recommend
strongly that they do not go on a cruise ship.”
o
https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2020/03/09/fauci-says-cruising-is-ok-if-you-are-healthy/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2020/03/09/fauci-says-cruising-is-ok-if-you-are-healthy/
·
March
12, 2020, The Atlantic’s Tom McTague writes, “Trump’s European Travel Ban
Doesn’t Make Sense.”
March
12, 2020, The Atlantic’s Tom McTague writes, “Trump’s European Travel Ban
Doesn’t Make Sense.”
o
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/03/donald-trump-coronavirus-europe-britain-schengen-travel/607876/
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/03/donald-trump-coronavirus-europe-britain-schengen-travel/607876/
·
March
12, 2020, CNN Blasted for declaring calling the coronavirus the “Wuhan Virus”
is racist.
March
12, 2020, CNN Blasted for declaring calling the coronavirus the “Wuhan Virus”
is racist.
o
https://www.foxnews.com/media/cnn-china-wuhan-coronavirus
https://www.foxnews.com/media/cnn-china-wuhan-coronavirus
·
March
13, TIME Magazine’s W.J. Hennigan writes, “Trump’s State of Emergency is an
Admission of Failure by the U.S. Government”
March
13, TIME Magazine’s W.J. Hennigan writes, “Trump’s State of Emergency is an
Admission of Failure by the U.S. Government”
o
https://time.com/5802795/emergency-coronavirus-pandemic/
https://time.com/5802795/emergency-coronavirus-pandemic/
·
March
19, 2020, CNN’s Alice Hill states, “Trump’s complete failure of imagination is
costing America lives and treasure.”
March
19, 2020, CNN’s Alice Hill states, “Trump’s complete failure of imagination is
costing America lives and treasure.”
o
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/opinions/donald-trump-pandemic-failure-imagination-hill/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/opinions/donald-trump-pandemic-failure-imagination-hill/index.html
·
April
1, 2020, The Hill reports that the Boston Globe Editorial Board says Trump has
“Blood on his Hands” over the coronavirus.
April
1, 2020, The Hill reports that the Boston Globe Editorial Board says Trump has
“Blood on his Hands” over the coronavirus.
o
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/490539-boston-globe-editorial-board-says-trump-has-blood-on-his-hands-over
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/490539-boston-globe-editorial-board-says-trump-has-blood-on-his-hands-over
·
April
1, 2020, Reporter Rebecca Panico writes that four New Jersey cities have set up
border patrols to enforce coronavirus restrictions.
April
1, 2020, Reporter Rebecca Panico writes that four New Jersey cities have set up
border patrols to enforce coronavirus restrictions.
o
“Police
in Newark, Orange, East Orange and Irvington will stop drivers to ask where
they’re going. Drivers will face summonses if they are violating the governor’s
order, which bans travel for all New Jersey residents except for necessary
purposes like grocery shopping, doctor visits or for essential work.”
“Police
in Newark, Orange, East Orange and Irvington will stop drivers to ask where
they’re going. Drivers will face summonses if they are violating the governor’s
order, which bans travel for all New Jersey residents except for necessary
purposes like grocery shopping, doctor visits or for essential work.”
§ https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/04/cops-in-4-nj-cities-are-pulling-over-drivers-to-enforce-coronavirus-restrictions.html
·
April
8, 2020, Mediaite reports that MSNBC national affairs analyst John Heilemann
says “tens of thousands of people will die because of Trump’s coronavirus
incompetence.”
April
8, 2020, Mediaite reports that MSNBC national affairs analyst John Heilemann
says “tens of thousands of people will die because of Trump’s coronavirus
incompetence.”
o
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/msnbc-analyst-says-tens-of-thousands-of-people-will-die-because-of-trumps-coronavirus-incompetence/
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/msnbc-analyst-says-tens-of-thousands-of-people-will-die-because-of-trumps-coronavirus-incompetence/
·
April
11, 2020, The New York Times, headline; He could have seen what was coming:
Behind Trump’s Failure on the Virus
April
11, 2020, The New York Times, headline; He could have seen what was coming:
Behind Trump’s Failure on the Virus
o
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-response.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-response.html
Did you notice how the Democrats went from no concern to accusing Trump of a slow response? President Trump was on target the whole time, and the liberal left didn’t care until they realized they would be able to be deceptive and use it as a political weapon against Trump.
— Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Additional Resource: https://thefederalist.com/2020/05/04/the-media-is-blatantly-lying-about-trumps-coronavirus-response/
