Even as more people in his orbit test positive for the coronavirus, Trump relentlessly downplays the pandemic and his erratic behavior since his release from the hospital is cause for further alarm as the nation spins from crisis to crisis.
Disastrously, his early denial of the virus––that it was a hoax––and his subsequent reluctance to enact the precautionary steps from his medical advisers, leaves the lives of thousands in jeopardy. If the wearing of masks, social distancing, and other preventive measures are not taken immediately, several experts on the virus predict dire outcomes.
The pandemic is at the core of a circle of national concerns, not the least of which is Trump’s lack of vision and policies that places more Americans at risk, to say nothing of those in his circle of aides and advisers. Each day another individual who attended the Rose Garden event for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett tests positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, Trump has promised to participate in next week’s second debate and it’s to be seen if new regulations are in place by then to curtail his interruptions that made a mockery of the first debate.
In addition, the transparency promised by the Trump administration becomes more opaque by the moment and even those familiar with his condition are not sure what to make of his behavior that may be connected with the various treatments he has received.
More troubling to the nation’s citizens is absence of any relief from the government, a stimulus bill that is stalled in limbo and Trump’s intent to play on the issues that divide the country.
Hanging in the balance too, as Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence get ready to debate on Wednesday, Oct. 8 is the confirmation process for Judge Barrett. Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee—Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Thom Tillis (R-NC)––have tested positive for the virus after participating in the Rose Garden event. Still, Sen. McConnell plans to proceed with the process and the Democratic members are sure to do all they can to deny her appointment.
With more than 210,000 deaths from the virus here in the U.S., millions on the verge of total economic collapse, and an administration in tatters and turmoil, it seems the only relief in sight is the election a month from now, and there’s no guarantee that will solve all our problems.