From Hoax to Emergency!
Donald Trump has been making light of the coronavirus threat for weeks, but has now been forced to eat his own foolish words and declare a national emergency in America.
From 'Hoax to Emergency', you might say, with apologies to one of the big Oscar winning movies from Holywood's golden age.
Presidential Ignoramus (21/02/20)
Every time Donald Trump opens his mouth he confirms that a complete ignoramus is charge of the White House.
So don't be put off by Trump's latest dumb outburst because Parasite is well worth a visit unlike the faded glory of Sunset Boulevard and Gone with the Wind.
Donald Trump as Mayor Vaughn (13/03/20)
Trump's lack of leadership over coronavirus reminds me of the Mayor of Amity Island in 'Jaws' who gets a well-deserved dressing-down from the scientist character played by Richard Dreyfuss with the memorable line:
"You are going to ignore this particular problem until it swims up and bites you in the ass!"
For weeks now Trump has been playing down the threat, lashing out, blaming others and describing the virus a 'hoax' - instead of getting down to the serious business of protecting the American people in co-operation with other countries around the world.
The man is a buffoon and a dangerous one at that, as America and Americans are about to discover.
Trump - Mad As A Brush (12/03/20)
Having played down the seriousness and potential impact of coronavirus for weeks Donald Trump has now veered over to the opposite extreme by banning all travel from Europe to the US.
Not all of Europe though because the Trump ban only applies to the EU's Schengen border-free area - so the UK and Ireland, for example, are exempt for the time being.
The BBC reports Trump as saying the suspension would also apply to cargo coming from Europe into the US, but Trump later tweeted to say that trade would "in no way be affected".
So having called coronavirus a 'hoax' and variously blamed the media and his political opponents for whipping up a 'fake news' story - Trump is now laying the blame on Europe.
US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping travel restrictions on 26 European countries in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The measures apply to travellers from countries which are members of the Schengen border-free travel area.
The UK, Ireland and other non-Schengen countries are unaffected. Exemptions are also being made for US citizens.
In an address to the nation President Trump said the "strong but necessary" actions would help protect Americans.
The new rules go into effect on Friday at midnight EDT and mark a major escalation from the US president, who has been accused of inaction over coronavirus.
There are 1,135 confirmed cases of the virus across the US, with 38 deaths so far.
In other developments:
- Chinese health authorities have said that the peak of the outbreak in China is over. The virus first emerged in the city of Wuhan
- The worst-hit country outside of China, Italy, imposed further restrictions, closing nearly all shops, bars, hairdressers, restaurants and cafes until 25 March
- The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak was a pandemic. This is defined as a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time
- In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel, warned that up to 70% of the country's population - some 58 million people - could contract the coronavirus
- India suspended most visas for foreigners until 15 April
- The UK is expected to switch to tactics aimed at delaying the spread of the virus rather than containing it
- Greece reported its coronavirus death, a 66-year-old returning from a pilgrimage in the Middle East
What else did the US president say?
"This is the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history," he said.
Justifying the travel restrictions, he accused the EU of failing to take "the same precautions" as the US in fighting the virus.
His speech said all travel from Europe would be suspended but a presidential proclamation later said it would only apply to anyone who had been in the EU's Schengen border-free areain the 14 days before their arrival in the US.
Mr Trump also said the suspension would also apply to cargo coming from Europe into the US. He later tweeted to say that trade would "in no way be affected".
Media caption - Coronavirus outbreak has officially become pandemic says WHO
The speech included plans to provide billions of dollars in loans to small businesses and the president urged Congress to free up more funds.
President Trump said for most Americans the risk was "very, very low" adding "no nation is more prepared or more resilient than the United States".
Reacting to his speech, senior Democrats said it was "alarming"that President Trump did not address a shortage of coronavirus testing kits in the US.
"We have a public health crisis in this country and the best way to help keep the American people safe and ensure their economic security is for the president to focus on fighting the spread of the coronavirus itself," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.
On the travel ban, Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University, tweeted: "most of Europe is as safe as US. This will have no impact on US ... germs don't respect borders".
The EU said it was assessing the situation, with European Council President Charles Michel saying "economic disruption must be avoided".
"This is the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history," he said.
Justifying the travel restrictions, he accused the EU of failing to take "the same precautions" as the US in fighting the virus.
His speech said all travel from Europe would be suspended but a presidential proclamation later said it would only apply to anyone who had been in the EU's Schengen border-free areain the 14 days before their arrival in the US.
Mr Trump also said the suspension would also apply to cargo coming from Europe into the US. He later tweeted to say that trade would "in no way be affected".
Media caption - Coronavirus outbreak has officially become pandemic says WHO
The speech included plans to provide billions of dollars in loans to small businesses and the president urged Congress to free up more funds.
President Trump said for most Americans the risk was "very, very low" adding "no nation is more prepared or more resilient than the United States".
Reacting to his speech, senior Democrats said it was "alarming"that President Trump did not address a shortage of coronavirus testing kits in the US.
"We have a public health crisis in this country and the best way to help keep the American people safe and ensure their economic security is for the president to focus on fighting the spread of the coronavirus itself," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.
On the travel ban, Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University, tweeted: "most of Europe is as safe as US. This will have no impact on US ... germs don't respect borders".
The EU said it was assessing the situation, with European Council President Charles Michel saying "economic disruption must be avoided".
How badly has the US been hit?
Concern over the outbreak rose after a number of new cases were confirmed earlier this month.
Containment efforts have begun in earnest. Troops have been deployed to New Rochelle, just north of New York City, where one outbreak is believed to have originated.
The National Guard will deliver food to some individuals who have been told to self-isolate there.
Concern over the outbreak rose after a number of new cases were confirmed earlier this month.
Containment efforts have begun in earnest. Troops have been deployed to New Rochelle, just north of New York City, where one outbreak is believed to have originated.
The National Guard will deliver food to some individuals who have been told to self-isolate there.
Stable Genius, My Arse! (11/03/20)
Donald Trump has been playing down the seriousness and potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak for weeks now.
Yet Trump came away from a recent meeting at America's Center for Disease Control proudly boasting that medics and scientists are impressed by his understanding of the disease claiming:
Yet Trump came away from a recent meeting at America's Center for Disease Control proudly boasting that medics and scientists are impressed by his understanding of the disease claiming:
Stable, Humble Genius (22/03/19)
I wonder if Randy Rainbow might add a new verse to his great 'A Very Stable Genius' song mocking Donald Trump.
