From no lockdown to 'reviving economy': 5 ways Trump botched US response to Coronavirus

Leing number of global positive cases of Coronavirus, United States has become new epicenter of pandemic surpassing China, Italy, and Iran. With over 102,396 cases (10 AM IST), Donald Trump ministration faced momentous criticism for failing to contain outbreak. 

From downplaying Coronavirus threat to disregarding intelligence reports and calling to revive ecomy amid a health crisis here is how Donald Trump ministration jeopardised COVID-19 crisis: 

Rejects need for ventilators 

US President Donald Trump on Thursday rebuffed need for new ventilators by New York Goverr to treat patients affected by COVID-19. biggest cluster by far has been in New York, which has become home to almost half cases, overwhelming hospital system.

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Two days ago, Trump told Fox News, "I have a feeling that a lot of numbers that are being said in some areas are just bigger than y’re going to be." "I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You kw you go into major hospitals sometimes, y’ll have two ventilators. And w all of a sudden y’re saying can we order 30,000 ventilators?" he ded.

"Look, it’s a very b situation. We haven’t seen anything like it, but end result is we’ve got to get back to work, and I think we can start by opening up certain parts of country," Donald Trump ded on Thursday. A day later, US became country with highest cases in world. 

'Chinese virus' jibe 

Group of Seven (G7) countries failed to reach an agreement recently on ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, due to skirmishes over name of virus. US State Department insisted on using 'Wuhan virus' in joint statement, which was rejected by group, thus resulting in separate statements. G7 includes US, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Cana, and Japan.

US President has repeatedly branded Coronavirus as a 'Chinese virus', furr justified branding of pandemic. Asked why he keeps calling Coronavirus as 'Chinese virus' when scientists say disease doesn't respect borders and is t caused by ethnicity, Trump told reporters at White House that he doesn't consider it a racist remark. “It’s t racist at all," Trump said, ding that he calls it “Chinese virus” because he wants to be accurate. 

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Downplayed Coronavirus 

Playing down severity of Coronavirus, Donald Trump often put up a straight-face and claimed it was "under control" and that "it's going to be just fine" despite soaring numbers in China. Following first case of Coronavirus in January in country, Donald Trump trivialised issue by stating that it was just "one person coming from China," country which was epicenter of virus. 

Late in January, when countries including United States, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and ors confirmed cases of Coronavirus, Donald Trump said, "We have very little problem in this country," after five cases. A similar tone was maintained until March 5, even when virus h mand to creep into diverse parts of world, including Italy and Iran.  US President was also accused of prioritising ecomy revival over human life after Trump anunced that he wanted US market back to rmal functioning level by Easter. "This cure is worse than problem," US President h said. 

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domestic travel ban 

Countries including India, China, Iran immediately halted domestic inter-city travel in wake of Coronavirus outbreak. However, despite topping charts with most positive cases, United States has still enabled travel within country.

US President has t anunced any travel restrictions domestically. While asked people to avoid "discretionary travel" for next 2 weeks, however, said that domestic ban on travel is still under consideration. US although has imposed a ban on various international travels. "We’re t really. We hope we don’t have to. We think that hopefully, we won’t have to do that. But it’s certainly something we talk about every day. We haven’t me that decision," Donald Trump said. 

Intelligence failure 

Washington Post h claimed that US intelligence community h warned US President and Congress about glaring threat of Coronavirus, early in January, however, Trump ministration evidently overlooked warning. Purportedly intel reports on pandemic started funneling in since early-January, however, y were disregarded throughout January and February. Trump, however, downplaying impending crisis h even said 'warm wear would neutralise threat'. claim has been dismissed by World Health Organisation. 

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