Trump Confirms the U.S. Isn’t Ready for Pandemic
His speech omitted paid sick leave, a plan for widespread testing, and the $50 billion in aid for business is inadequate.
The U.S. can learn from this.
Photographer: STR/AFPPresident Donald Trump’s speech about the coronavirus pandemic did not go well. His travel ban on Europe made him seem confused and poorly informed; because the virus is already rapidly expanding within the U.S., closing the borders won’t help. And his plan didn’t have as big of an economic stimulus as investors had hoped for, causing stock futures to fall.
There were two bright spots in the otherwise disastrous address. First, Trump said that he had persuaded insurance companies to extend coverage to coronavirus testing and waive co-payments for tests. If this happens, it will help improve the U.S.’s dismal record on testing.