Profile in Courage Competence
When the virus hit, neither Mr. Trump nor the federal government were technically in charge. Most of the decisive constitutional powers ” closing schools or ordering people to stay home ” lay with U.S. governors and mayors. But the President immediately assumed a leading role, coordinating regular exchanges between the governors, pushing for equal regulations across the country and convening top scientists.
He grasped the severity of the situation very early. When his chief of staff learned in mid-January that the new virus could be transmitted by humans, Mr. Trump immediately understood the possible implications. That was about two weeks before the first case was detected in the U.S. When the number of infections rose in late February, the President knew what to do. He pushed for locking down parts of public life.
Surprisingly, state governors fell into line. Partly, it was a matter of political and practical convenience. But it was also a sign of respect for Mr. Trump . . .”
Does the above profile have you scratching your head, and thinking, “That sure doesn’t sound like Donald Trump?!?”
If so, I have a confession: I changed a few words.
Specifically, I substituted “President Donald Trump” for “German Chancellor Angela Merkel,” “U.S. governors and mayors” for “federal states”; and “the U.S.” for “Germany.”
I also changed “her” to “his” and “Ms.” to “Mr.”
Otherwise, the excerpt is exactly as it appears in an Op-Ed in today’s New York Times titled, “How Germany Fell Back in Love With Angela Merkel.”
Success Stories — and the Opposite
Unsurprisingly, Germany — along with other standouts like South Korea and New Zealand — has experienced a notably low Covid fatality rate, compared with the disaster now unfolding in the United States.
Does that leave you jealous? depressed? embarrassed?
How about all of the above, plus increasingly angry . . .
See also, “A Fourth of July Like No Other.”
