As things stand right now, the coronavirus story is less of a story than the government’s response, or non-response. Last night, in what could have been one of the most consequential Oval Office addresses since 9-11, Donald Trump relied upon a speech that was barely coherent, bereft of strategy, and lacking the uplifting emotional message needed to rally the American spirit, that spirit that can get through any challenge. Unsurprising that the speech failed, it was written by two dullards, Stephen Miller and Jared Kushner.

The smart people at Davos Switzerland, the annual forum in which the world’s rich celebrate their wealth with others of similar wealth and pretend to be serious people with serious ideas, did actually put on a smart discussion this last January. The coronavirus and the possibility that it could become a global pandemic was discussed by experts who also had ideas as to how to mitigate the most disastrous impacts.

Donald Trump, Steve Mnuchin, Jared Kushner and Princess Ivanka all attended the Davos forum on the United States expense account. All were invited to attend the coronavirus talk. None went, I suppose they had better things to do:

Trump at Davos, which had a WHO Experts Coronavirus Forum he didn’t bother to attend, nor did Mnuchin, Ivanka and Jared. pic.twitter.com/fxtzZv3MzG

— BevMarie (@evenbev) March 6, 2020

Yes, I believe that on January 22 it sure did seem totally under control. The failure in this administration (and many others) was to appreciate that one must think 6 weeks to 2 months ahead of time to determine the impact of one’s plans.

Trump has always been woefully incompetent at thinking ahead 6 weeks to 2 months down the road.

The picture above is infuriating, it makes one want to go back in time and shake him by the shoulders and scream – think 2 months from now! Other than shut down flights from China, an act that is something he likes to do anyway, shut borders, I cannot think of anything else that he’s done proactively to fight the virus that wasn’t forced upon him.

Perhaps had he attended the forum in Davos, had any of them attended the Davos forum, they might have learned that they needed to prepare 3 months ahead of time, and done something proactive. We paid for their trip, but they couldn’t be bothered.

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Peace, y’all

Jason

[email protected] and on Twitter @MiciakZoom