It did not have to be this bad

I was talking to a friend from Australia on Friday. He told me the city of Melbourne is now back on total lockdown after a regional coronavirus outbreak. He asked how the pandemic is going over here. I said, “not great.” I said the U.S. hit almost 1,500 deaths on Wednesday - our highest daily death count since May. He seemed surprised.

I googled “Australia covid deaths.” The entire country - a nation of 25 million people - has 375 deaths. Not in one day - in total. 375. We have lost 167,000 souls and counting. Even after adjusting for population size, America’s death rate from COVID-19 is 34 times worse than Australia’s. 34 times worse.

It did not have to be this bad. Leadership matters. On February 22nd, Donald Trump said, “We have it totally under control.” On March 16th, he said of his response to the virus, “I’d give it a 10,” out of 10. On April 24th, he suggested injecting disinfectant and ultraviolet light into the body as a potential cure. On May 26th, he mocked a reporter for wearing a mask in public.

This November, voters should hold Trump accountable for his negligent, failed leadership. Since January, Joe Biden’s message on the pandemic has been simple: Listen to scientists. Listen to doctors. Fix the pandemic first, and the economy will follow.

I call on my all my friends and neighbors to support this decent, competent, empathetic leader. Trump’s negligence has been catastrophic. America deserves better.

Chris Jordan

Spokane