What did we learn yesterday?
Anything?
Yes, one thing: Trump’s press conferences on COVID are a horror show.
Forget Mike “Thoughts and Prayers” Pence being placed in charge of a complex viral pandemic threatening to explode into a full-blown public health crisis. Nevermind that jaw-dropper of an executive decision by the Trump Administration.
Let’s examine this purely from a public relations and information management standpoint.
Did anyone watching and listening yesterday gain a better understanding of COVID-19?
Were any of the symptoms of the virus addressed by the speakers?
Were any instructions given on what people should do if they suspect an outbreak of the virus?
Where was the leadership?
Why didn’t a medical professional take a few minutes to talk straight to the American public about what this virus is all about? Sure, I can go to Google on my own and search the word “Coronovirus” and hundreds of articles and videos will pop up — many hits with confusing information and conflicting data. Most of what we see online is written by non-medical people. Some of the things to be found on the Internet with a “Coronavirus” search are flat out lies, tainted by political and financial interests. It’s tantamount to DIS-information.
Instead, what we expect from our government leaders — regardless of party or partisanship — are FACTS and UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION. Is that really too much to ask?
Donald Trump should not be expected to know nor understand the complexities of viruses. I have no issues with him standing on stage and letting people in science handle the matter. That would have been the smart thing to do.
Instead, Trump spent nearly 15 minutes rambling, lying, and even went so far as to claim “We’re Number 1!” in some meaningless health poll, as though fighting a global pandemic is akin to beating the Alabama Crimson Tide in a college football game.
It was embarrassing. But it was also what we’ve come to expect from a President who is a perpetual embarrassment.
Instead of being subject to a labyrinth of lies fabricated to cheerlead the tanking stock market, I, as an American citizen who knows little about science and medicine, would have liked some answers from those in charge. I’d like to have been informed…..
- How does the virus spread?
- What can we do to prevent it?
- What happens if we fear someone we know has it?
- How is the government prepared to deal with it?
We didn’t get any answers yesterday. Only more questions.
But gee, it’s sure great to know “We”re Number 1!”