A new op-ed in the Bangor Daily News from Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra argues that President Trump is directly responsible for the current public health and economic crisis spiraling out of control.

Instead of taking advice from experts, Trump failed to take the appropriate steps to slow the coronavirus in the early stages of the outbreak. He wasted precious time making false statements that confused the public. And, as the virus continues to spread, Trump’s chaotic leadership and lack of preparation has made America less safe.

Bangor Daily News: Trump’s failed, chaotic leadership is making us less safe

By: Kathleen Marra, Chair, Maine Democratic Party

April 2, 2020

 

Key Points:

  • Hospitals nationwide are overwhelmed. Nurses and doctors are facing shortages of basic medical equipment. And millions have lost their jobs, including more than 45,000 Mainers.​​​​​​​
  • As the oldest state in the nation, nearly half of Mainers are considered “high-risk” for developing serious illness from the coronavirus that would require hospitalization and the use of ventilators for breathing.
  • Yet despite the severe shortage, Trump refused to invoke the Defense Production Act for weeks, a measure that would accelerate the manufacture of critical medical supplies like ventilators and personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.
  • While Trump ignored classified briefings from his own intelligence officials in January warning him about the outbreak, other countries that took the coronavirus seriously are seeing results from their preparedness.
  • South Korea, for example, was able to test 287,000 people in the eight weeks following its first confirmed case. Despite Trump claiming that “anyone who wants a test can get a test,” the United States only tested 55,000 in that same time frame.
  • In Maine, a shortage of testing supplies resulting from a nationwide shortage has led to confusion among Mainers who want to get tested but can’t.
  • Trump also ignored early warnings about the coming shortage of protective gloves and masks for health care workers.
  • Maine received only 5 percent of the specialized protective masks it requested from the federal government, forcing state officials to undertake their own search nationwide and overseas for protective gear.
  • Refusing to take responsibility for his lack of preparation, Trump is blaming shortages on governors, saying the federal government isn’t responsible for helping states obtain medical supplies or tests.
  • President Trump’s failed leadership and mismanagement of this public health crisis has been nothing short of dangerous. More Americans are sick and dying, our hospitals don’t have what they need, and Maine families are suffering economically.
  • We deserve a trusted leader, one who is guided by experts and prioritizes the safety and economic security of Americans. And right now, we aren’t getting that from the White House.

 

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