Today's watch word: patchwork. Used by both Dr. Tom Inglesby of Johns Hopkins and by infectious disease doctor Dr. Nahid Bhadelia to describe the United States' response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It stands to reason that there is concern about some states re-opening their economies too quickly because there hasn't been a coordinated national approach to combating the virus. All the states are in different stages, showing varying statistics, hence 'patchwork.'
Listening to state health officials from Alabama and Michigan respectively, they are taking different approaches according to the statistics and situation on the ground, as it were. However, they are basing their respective recommendations on facts and leave it to the governor to act equipped with an informed opinion. "It's not personal" is how Dr. Joneigh Khaldun from Michigan described it when discussing outside political pressure. Dr. Harris from Alabama explained it's present but that doesn't change the facts he presents.
However, Mr. Todd also asked Dr. Harris about Georgia with its aggressive reopening of their economy in lieu of statistics that show it's not safe to do so. Dr. Harris did express concern understandably but said that Alabama was prepared. The point here is that this is exactly where Administration and Federal response leadership is needed. The Trump Administration gutted the CDC (Center for Disease Control) which is the agency that would track and trace on a national level so that a state like Alabama could better understand what's happening in neighboring states.
But the federal response on several levels has failed. Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report explained that some politicians rise to the moment, which is why many governors' approval rating are so high. She also said that Donald Trump has risen to the moment like every other in his presidency with polarization and divisiveness.
Dr. Nahid Bhadelia explained that the Covid-19 virus acts to have the immune system attack itself. The growing partisan response, amplified shamefully by the president, is the virus that has been spreading across the country and the result is our democracy attacking itself. This is the consequence of Donald Trump's unfit leadership.
In the face of 1 million-plus infections and over 66,000 Americans dead in 2 months, the president said this week that the administration has done a 'spectacular' job, to use his word and his son-in-law described the administration's work as an 'American Success Story.' At this point, the only astute question to ask is, "What planet are these individuals living on?"
That brings us to today's operative percentage - 10 percent. Douglas Holtz-Eakin that in the months of April through June we'll see a 10% decline in national income; twelve percent is Great Depression era numbers. He also called the trillions of dollars CARES Act a band-aid. Dr. Bhadelia also explained that in areas where positive tests are over 10%, it's an indication that there is too little testing. All of this is on the federal government so it's ridiculous to equal what is actually happening with words like 'spectacular' and 'success.'
The potential answer to this lack of presidential leadership is in one fmr. Vice-President Joe Biden who has had to answer questions this week about a sexually assault allegation made by former Senate staffer Tara Reade. It's too soon to even judge and the only consensus that has come out of this so far is that there are no good players here. Mr. Biden, on Friday, flatly denied the allegation saying that it never happened, putting himself on the record and requesting full transparency. Given what we know and what has been said, Ms. Walter explained that this is a fight over who to believe and hypocrisy, with a slavering of the latter all over. Republicans are pointing out the hypocrisy on the part of the Democrats as Justice Brett Cavanaugh wasn't given the benefit of the doubt so why should Mr. Biden when it seems his accuser is more credible. But that's hypocrisy on the Republicans as well as there is no mention of the president's many accusers.
Frankly, at this moment we're just going to see how this one plays out because the current situation is allowing for putting any hope in any one person's hands, not even 10 percent.
Panel: Kasie Hunt, NBC News; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, American Action Forum, fmr. Budget Director; Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, NBC Medical Contributor
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