Virus thread, the political one.

[BBB]

From the Guardian...

"McEnany claims US is 'a leader' in coronavirus fight despite rise in many states

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany shockingly claimed that foreign leaders consider America to be a leader in the fight against coronavirus.

“I think the world is looking at us as a leader in Covid-19,” McEnany said during the White House briefing.

In reality, the US has failed to lower the number of new infections, and the spread of coronavirus is on the rise in dozens of states.

The European Union also declined to include the US on a list of approved countries for nonessential travel as the EU starts to open its borders."

Ah...no Kayleigh they don't. It would seem the only requirement to be press secretary for trump is to leave your integrity at the door.

[Scott G.]

From the Guardian...

"McEnany claims US is 'a leader' in coronavirus fight despite rise in many states

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany shockingly claimed that foreign leaders consider America to be a leader in the fight against coronavirus.[snip]

Bolsanaro and Obrador are following the lead of Potus., alpha males typically ignore illness till they're near death.

[Sbti]

And Castrating Iowa Senator Ernst said that two Ebola deaths under Obama was "failed leadership." When asked a few times if over 130,000 COVID-19 deaths under tRump was also failed leadership, she says no, "the president is stepping forward."

[Mark Kelly]

“I think the world is looking at us as a leader in Covid-19,” McEnany said during the White House briefing.

Perhaps she meant a leading example of how not to deal with this.

On the other hand the USA does indeed lead the world in total cases, total deaths, new cases per day and currently ranks third in new deaths per day (down from first a couple of months ago), so she might have meant that.

Or she could just be lying though her teeth.

[claritycycler]

.....Or she could just be lying through her teeth.

This, it's a prerequisite for all orange man admins.

[Sbti]

This, it's a prerequisite for all orange man admins.

O ye of little faith!

On her first day on the job:
“I will never lie to you, you have my word on that,” she said.

And she always has "that symbol" around her neck, so there!

[j44ke]

Beware the glow on the horizon, it is not the sun.

[BBB]

Sanders and the latest iteration lie through their teeth and seem to do so without batting an eyelid. At least the first bloke looked uncomfortable lying through his teeth.

132,000 dead. Not exactly a good track record.

[guido]

Opinion | How America Lost the War on Covid-19 - The New York Times

"When did America start losing its war against the coronavirus? How did we find ourselves international pariahs, not even allowed to travel to Europe?

I’d suggest that the turning point was way back on April 17, the day that Donald Trump tweeted “LIBERATE MINNESOTA,” followed by “LIBERATE MICHIGAN” and “LIBERATE VIRGINIA.” In so doing, he effectively declared White House support for protesters demanding an end to the lockdowns governors had instituted to bring Covid-19 under control.

As it happens, the Democratic governors Trump was targeting in those tweets stood firm. But Republican governors in Arizona, Florida, Texas and elsewhere soon lifted stay-at-home orders and ended many restrictions on business operations. They also, following Trump’s lead, refused to require that people wear masks, and Texas and Arizona denied local governments the right to impose such requirements. They waved away warnings from health experts that premature and careless reopening could lead to a new wave of infections.

And the virus came.

The initial outbreak of Covid-19, centered on New York, should have taught us to be wary. Rising rates of infection can seem like a minor concern at first, especially if you don’t have adequate testing, until they explode with terrifying speed."

[vertical_doug]

Sanders and the latest iteration lie through their teeth and seem to do so without batting an eyelid. At least the first bloke looked uncomfortable lying through his teeth.

132,000 dead. Not exactly a good track record.

Yes, Mcenany is all crocodile smile.

[EDS]

I find the fact that the opening of schools in the fall has turned into a political issue very troubling. I have young kids and I know they would benefit greatly from being in school with their peers educationally, socially and mentally. I also know parents would benefit greatly from having kids in school. I have concerns that despite that benefit, reopening safely in the fall will not be possible. The recent decisions in Florida do not seem like they are based in science or fact.

The ICE policy about requiring foreign students to only attend in person classes seems despicable on every level.

[Chik]

The ICE policy about requiring foreign students to only attend in person classes seems despicable on every level.

Actually, it appears the USG will cancel visas for foreign students enrolled at universities / schools that are offering classes online and will not approve visa applications for new students unless the university will be holding in-person classes. It's appalling at the most basic level, but what's bemusing is the fact that most international students are not on financial aid, which means that schools will be missing out on students paying full price if they are not allowed to enter or continue their studies. That would surely hurt the schools in the near term and also in the long term given that the pissed off kids and parents will not be making contributions to the schools' endowment. A bit of an own-goal...

[pmac]

That would surely hurt the schools in the near term and also in the long term given that the pissed off kids and parents will not be making contributions to the schools' endowment. A bit of an own-goal...

Only an own-goal if a well-educated population is considered to be a positive. Not sure I'd like to think that hurting the higher ed system is part of an actual plan, but with this group you never know.

[Matthew Strongin]

Well, a day after our County Mayor took the brave stand to close restaurants and gyms again, you know, those places where people congregate without masks or social distancing, he has rolled it back to closing inside dining at restaurants and requiring masks at gyms (they were already required). Excellent. We're now as bad (worse?) than NYC at the peak of their outbreak and our government is compromising on safety measures to keep people happy.

[Tom]

And in other news, Bolsinaro came down with Covid-19.

[caleb]

At least the first bloke looked uncomfortable lying through his teeth.

Note, we are now anchoring our moral expectations for truthfulness to Sean Spicer.

I've always had a soft spot for the Mad Hatter. Best to just embrace the free association and run with it.

[theflashunc]

God this virus thrives on aggressive stupidity.

[Mark Walberg]

Here in the Dallas area, masks are again required.
However, no masks needed if you are voting or going to church !!!
AND, they are fighting tooth and nail to prevent voting by mail.

[BBB]

A mess. Not quite an all encompassing everyone lies and dies trumpian orange mess, but a mess all the same...

Australia: New Coronavirus Lockdown Melbourne Amid Sex, Lies, Quarantine Hotel Scandal

[Toddykins]

Yes, Mcenany is all crocodile smile.

Credit where it is due - Mcenany is far better at this than all of her predecessors.