The grand story of the day comes from Arizona, where a man has just died after taking chloroquine for the coronavirus. What makes this story so spectacular is the fact this is a drug that the Occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue had named as a potential cure for Covid-19 or the Cornona Virus. The story can be found at:
https://www.todayonline.com/world/arizona-man-dies-after-taking-chloroquine-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR1botqvAE9LQrEcW1_N9qnaK5JFv1xsb9mihM-eeIWEI5lUMT5AZYv1xs8
What can one say about this situation? The obvious is that this is a very sad situation that a man had to die. The other obvious point is that the Trump administration with its obvious disregard for experts and expertise has clearly screwed up the management of the crisis. The Trump leads with his mouth and twitter fingers rather than his brains. Either he is blissfully unaware of how his words are being received or he simply doesn’t care. Neither are virtues that you’d want in the most powerful person on the planet and it would be nice if the Trump actually pretended to be contrite.
However, this is one of those unfortunate circumstances where we have to look at the role of the victim’s actions in his own demise. While the President had named the drug in question as a potential cure, the nations top expert on infectious diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci played down the President’s hype and stated very clearly that the therapy needed to be tested to ensure it was safe for consumption.
I have to hand it to Donald Trump for being able to inspire an almost cult like devotion from his supporters. The so called Trumpers have shown an amazing ability to stick with their guy no matter what you say and prove about their hero. Most things are described as a “hoax” by one of the groups that the Occupant has chosen to demonise. As his spokesperson so aptly said – there are “Alternative Facts.”
However, there are certain situations when one needs to be able to discern reality. Being sick should be one of them. Does it really matter if the crowd at Trumps rallies are bigger and better than anyone else’s? Well, no, even if the debate does make for good comedy.
However, it’s a different story when you’ve been struck down by an unknown virus of sorts and you’re looking for a cure. In this situation, who would you listen to? You have a qualified professional with a proven track record saying one thing and you have someone who has never looked at any book (other than the one he paid someone else to write) let alone a medical book.
Surely, this is one of those moments where you should listen to someone whose been trained in the field related to your particular problem.
I don’t blame people for being desperate and I do believe that miracles can happen. However, I’m incline to remember a Malay taxi driver who complained that his community did approve of planning for the future. He said,” Ya, they complain that I don’t believe in God and it’s a sin. However, I always reply – didn’t God give you a brain?” The Saudis shut down Umrah pilgrimages, even if it’s a source of revenue for them. The Catholic Church in Singapore banned Sunday mass. This was using the God given brains instead of expecting the Almighty to provide a rescue when the obvious is ignored.
Trump, like most cult leaders, should hold responsibility for his actions. However, you also need to expect the recipients of the messages these guys give out to use their brains and to process facts. When a doctor says something is medically unsound and unproven, its not because he has a political bias but because he knowns what he’s talking about. You are free to ignore the doctor’s advice but if you get screwed for not following advice, whose fault is it?
https://www.todayonline.com/world/arizona-man-dies-after-taking-chloroquine-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR1botqvAE9LQrEcW1_N9qnaK5JFv1xsb9mihM-eeIWEI5lUMT5AZYv1xs8
What can one say about this situation? The obvious is that this is a very sad situation that a man had to die. The other obvious point is that the Trump administration with its obvious disregard for experts and expertise has clearly screwed up the management of the crisis. The Trump leads with his mouth and twitter fingers rather than his brains. Either he is blissfully unaware of how his words are being received or he simply doesn’t care. Neither are virtues that you’d want in the most powerful person on the planet and it would be nice if the Trump actually pretended to be contrite.
However, this is one of those unfortunate circumstances where we have to look at the role of the victim’s actions in his own demise. While the President had named the drug in question as a potential cure, the nations top expert on infectious diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci played down the President’s hype and stated very clearly that the therapy needed to be tested to ensure it was safe for consumption.
I have to hand it to Donald Trump for being able to inspire an almost cult like devotion from his supporters. The so called Trumpers have shown an amazing ability to stick with their guy no matter what you say and prove about their hero. Most things are described as a “hoax” by one of the groups that the Occupant has chosen to demonise. As his spokesperson so aptly said – there are “Alternative Facts.”
However, there are certain situations when one needs to be able to discern reality. Being sick should be one of them. Does it really matter if the crowd at Trumps rallies are bigger and better than anyone else’s? Well, no, even if the debate does make for good comedy.
However, it’s a different story when you’ve been struck down by an unknown virus of sorts and you’re looking for a cure. In this situation, who would you listen to? You have a qualified professional with a proven track record saying one thing and you have someone who has never looked at any book (other than the one he paid someone else to write) let alone a medical book.
Surely, this is one of those moments where you should listen to someone whose been trained in the field related to your particular problem.
I don’t blame people for being desperate and I do believe that miracles can happen. However, I’m incline to remember a Malay taxi driver who complained that his community did approve of planning for the future. He said,” Ya, they complain that I don’t believe in God and it’s a sin. However, I always reply – didn’t God give you a brain?” The Saudis shut down Umrah pilgrimages, even if it’s a source of revenue for them. The Catholic Church in Singapore banned Sunday mass. This was using the God given brains instead of expecting the Almighty to provide a rescue when the obvious is ignored.
Trump, like most cult leaders, should hold responsibility for his actions. However, you also need to expect the recipients of the messages these guys give out to use their brains and to process facts. When a doctor says something is medically unsound and unproven, its not because he has a political bias but because he knowns what he’s talking about. You are free to ignore the doctor’s advice but if you get screwed for not following advice, whose fault is it?
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