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Trump Chief of Staff: We Can't Control Coronavirus

Mark Meadows, Donald Trump's Chief of Staff, made quite the admission Sunday when he said during an interview that the U.S. can't control the coronavirus.

The numbers are getting grimmer by the day: Yesterday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. hit 8,575,000. Deaths now exceed 224,000.

Several states are running out of hospital rooms. More than 41,000 people are currently hospitalized for COVID-19.

Donald Trump has run this country into the ground with his ineffectiveness and lack of ability to prepare for and meet emergencies. If he is re-elected, Americans have only themselves to blame.

We get the government we elect. VOTE!

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  • Display: Sort:
    You can't control a virus. (1.50 / 2) (#8)
    by itscookin on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 11:08:34 AM EST
    There are too many variables. You can try to contain it. You can create a vaccine that limits the number of people it can infect. You can create treatments to mitigate the damage it can cause. But you can't control it. "Control" is a science word with a specitic meaning. We need to learn to live with the corona virus in our midst just as we live with many other viruses. We can't banish it unless it runs out of hosts. To suggest electing Joe Biden will allow us to "control" the virus is like electing Obama gave everyone a pony.

    Tell us. Do you wear a mask and (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by oculus on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 08:25:57 PM EST
    socially distance?

    Parent
    If that would control the virus.... (1.25 / 4) (#15)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 06:23:52 AM EST
    huge swaths of the country and world would be disease free.

    Pandemics are never controlled. They end with herd immunity.

    It is quite the revelation to see the so-called Party of Science™ put its faith in "solutions" for which no peer reviewed scientific evidence exists. The opinion of the high priest is not science.

    Parent

    ROTFLMAO (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 09:15:06 AM EST
    the Jesse Helms jokers that spent decades telling us science doesn't matter and smoking doesn't cause cancer absolutely should be lecturing people on science---NOT.

    Children will be children after all and conservatives believe it's my body my choice unless it's women or people of color making that statement. Ugh, conservatives are just so gross.

    Parent

    do not spread falsehoods about (5.00 / 5) (#17)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 12:48:06 PM EST
    "herd immunity" here. Last warning Abdul.

    Parent
    A good vaccine (none / 0) (#18)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 01:23:57 PM EST

    Can hasten the day that what I won't mention arrives.

    Parent
    A good vaccine (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 02:18:15 PM EST
    will probably be 50% effective.  The flu vaccine is 40% effective.  This year.

    This stuff about a vaccine being some kind of a silver bullet is nonsense.  

    A vaccine will absolutely not eliminate the need for masks and social distancing

    You guys need to try to get yer minds around that

    Parent

    Antibodies fall rapidly after infection... (none / 0) (#22)
    by desertswine on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 06:09:25 PM EST
    "Immunity is waning quite rapidly, we're only three months after our first [round of tests] and we're already showing a 26% decline in antibodies," said Prof Helen Ward, one of the researchers.

    "On the balance of evidence, I would say it would look as if immunity declines away at the same rate as antibodies decline away, and that this is an indication of waning immunity.

    One of the researchers, Prof Graham Cooke, said: "The big picture is after the first wave, the great majority of the country didn't have evidence of protective immunity.

    Bad news for the "herd immunity" people.

    BBC

    Parent

    To be fair, it's only "bad news" (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Peter G on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 06:52:54 PM EST
    if you believe in science.

    Parent
    The ignorance ... (none / 0) (#33)
    by Yman on Fri Oct 30, 2020 at 08:14:56 AM EST
    ... among the wingnuts is just astounding.

    Parent
    I saw that interview live (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 06:53:00 AM EST
    It was a total train wreck from start to end.  I don't usually watch interviews.  Especially of people like Meadows.  But it was so bad I couldn't stop.  He came right out of the gate trying to yell over Tapper and blather on.  

    Tapper,  not my favorite bobble head, tried to inject some sanity but it was hopeless.

    That clip didn't want to play for me so I don't know if it's included but at one point near the end Tapper says "we are being told you are getting the hook from the Whitehouse but I would have you for the whole hour"

    It was easy to see why he got the hook.

    It's something.  These people, even tho they act stupid are not as stupid as they act.  They have to know what they are saying is lies and what they are doing will cause people to die.  

    The strategy eludes me.  These events are causing outbreaks every where he goes.  This is being reported.  Trump and Meadows telling the cult "you won't hear a word about it after November 3rd", really?  They must know that's BS.  Do they not care that will be shown to be an evil lie on Nov 4th and beyond?

    The obvious goal is leave the biggest possible mess for Biden/Harris to clean up.  But it's hard to not conclude they are trying to kill their supporters.

    As far as a strategy I guess it has the benefit of never having been tried.

    Trump's strategy, (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 10:44:16 AM EST
    such as it is, appears to be that of herd immunity---the advocacy of Dr. Scott Atlas, a neuroradiologist who has Trump's ear of late.

    It is easy to see why herd immunity appeals to Trump--- he does not have to do anything.   True, many people will have to get the infection (about 60 percent of the population of about 320 million). Of those infected at least one percent will die (two million) and many more may suffer long lasting to permanent organ damage, the extent to which is not entirely known. And, of course, there is still so much to learn about the virus, including the nature and extent of immunity subsequent to recovery.

    Parent

    I get that I guess (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 10:48:40 AM EST
    But telling them it will disappear from the news the day after the election?  This is a major thing.  Many believe this.

    Do they think they will forget.  Do they care.

    Parent

    OTOH (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 10:51:36 AM EST
    They haven't noticed there is no wall.  So....

    Parent
    I'm normally a big proponent (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by MO Blue on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 11:25:22 AM EST
    of letting irresponsible people experience the consequences of their actions. Unfortunately, responsible, dedicated healthcare workers will have to risk their lives providing these idiots with care. To bad that we can't have Dr . Atlas be the only person designated to provide healthcare to them.

    Parent
    I am all for having people who don't want to (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by vml68 on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 12:03:35 PM EST
    wear a mask or those who insist on gathering in large groups with no social distancing, sign a form that waives their right to medical attention should they get infected with the coronavirus.
    They can self medicate at home, go to their local quack, or pray, their choice. No hospitals and no doctors/nurses involved.

    Parent
    My wife routinely (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 01:26:32 PM EST
    offer Clorox injections to maskless folks at the grocery store. So far, no takers.

    Parent
    Masks (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by BGinCA on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 02:40:11 PM EST
    Cloth masks provide some protection from infection, but their primary efficacy is in preventing infected persons from spreading the virus to others. The question is not 'its my right to get covid-19 if I want.' One has an obligation, enforceable by the state, not to spread the virus. We don't allow typhoid carriers to work with the public. Nor do we allow drunks to claim that they have a right to drive.

    Parent
    Seat belts (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 02:49:43 PM EST
    When you congregate (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 28, 2020 at 11:24:57 AM EST
    in large crowds of maskless people you are risking getting the virus not just risking spreading it yourself.

    Parent
    There is no (none / 0) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 09:01:00 AM EST
    strategy other than the same one conservatives have had for years and that is to bully, lie and threaten. It's been working for them for decades so they are perplexed as to why it is not working now. This reminds me in some ways of the War in Iraq. No matter how much George W. Bush tried to lie about how good things were and threaten anybody who pointed out things were not that way it ended up not working just like it's not working now.

    Parent
    I guess there's two ways to look at this (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 08:57:20 AM EST
    At least.

    In violation of the law, the FBI won't deliver a legally required report on domestic terrorism before an election that many security veterans fear may spark some level of violence.

    You could assume they are doing it because the talk of white supremacist violence would be bad for Trump.   But the FBI has not seemed that eager to help Trump.   They, and especially Wray, are one of his favorite whipping boys.  He has released a statement saying he intends to fire Wray, and others, right after the election.

    Another possibility might be they don't want the terrorists to know what the know or what they are planning or watching.

    Of all the things that could go wrong for some reason I have more faith in the FBI than other institutions.  I think they hate Trump and probably are not interested in helping him.

    But it's just one more weird thing.

    For sure. (1.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 01:29:19 PM EST

    But the FBI has not seemed that eager to help Trump.  

    The FBI's role in the Russia collusion hoax pretty well cements that observation.  

    Parent

    The Zombie Lie Remains Undead (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Oct 28, 2020 at 05:46:16 PM EST
    The FBI's role in the Russia collusion hoax

    If you have information that that contradicts the Mueller Report and the Senate Intel Committee report, where did you get it and why did you protect the Deep State by concealing it from the multiple investigations?

    Parent

    The Mueller report found no collusion. (1.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Oct 29, 2020 at 07:20:54 AM EST

    IOW it was a hoax.

    Parent
    This is a lie (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 29, 2020 at 07:31:01 AM EST
    Yes, a lie. (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 29, 2020 at 04:18:51 PM EST
    And, irresponsible to promulgate it.  The term collusion under federal law and the differences and distinctions between  it and conspiracy are fully discussed in part one of the Mueller Report.  Also, the difficulty in the investigation of conspiracy by Trump et. al., owing to the obstruction of justice is presented quite clearly in part two of the Report as crimes.

    In their efforts, such as they are, to defend and protect their messiah, a. more creative excuse should be conjured up.  Perhaps, admit the conspiracy but claim the good businessman put one over on Putin by setting the stage for a hotel deal the Russkies could not turn down just as soon as Trump, Vanky and Jared are able to return to that Moscow deal. Whatever the rationalization, the right wingers will gobble it up.

    Parent

    You clearly have not read said report. (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by oculus on Thu Oct 29, 2020 at 04:37:48 PM EST
    I did. (1.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Oct 30, 2020 at 07:15:16 AM EST
    Must have missed that section. Care to point it out?

    Parent
    Try reading more slowly (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Yman on Fri Oct 30, 2020 at 08:20:34 AM EST
    The Mueller Report specifically did NOT address whether the campaign colluded with Russia.  They merely addressed whether they could prove a criminal conspiracy.  If you can't tell the difference, my 13-year-old can help you.

    Parent
    Start on (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 30, 2020 at 11:52:09 AM EST
    page 166 where Mueller starts discussing the meetings with Russian Intelligence. I mean dude get out of the conservative propaganda bubble and start thinking for yourself. Giuliani was even meeting with Russian agents as of December of 2019. Perhaps you can explain to me why conservatives see Putin as someone to admire?

    Parent
    The same Putin who recently ordered (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2020 at 03:08:51 PM EST
    a national masking.   Take that, Donnie boy.

    Parent
    However (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 29, 2020 at 07:34:30 AM EST
    You should enjoy Muellers vagueness as much and as long as you can because the next investigation into Russian and the Trump campaign, there WILL be a next investigation, will probably be much less vague.

    Parent
    IMO (none / 0) (#4)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 26, 2020 at 09:01:55 AM EST
    they learned from the Comey disaster that it is simply best to keep your mouth shut until after the election.

    Parent
    Detroit News (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 29, 2020 at 11:12:30 AM EST
    FBI Arrests White Supremacist Leader In Michigan

    October 29, 2020 at 12:11 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 18 Comments

    "Federal agents on Thursday arrested two men, including the self-proclaimed leader of the Base, a violent, white supremacist group, as part of a continuing crackdown on extremism in Michigan three weeks after the FBI said it thwarted a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer," the Detroit News reports.

    link

    Parent

    Surrender (none / 0) (#21)
    by FlJoe on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at 02:31:27 PM EST
    yesterday, declare victory today
    The White House's science policy office on Tuesday ranked "ending the Covid-19 pandemic" atop the list of President Donald Trump's top first-term accomplishments, even as the country registers record amounts of infections and hospitals fill up again.
    I'm so confused.