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Trump’s Leadership in the Coronavirus Crisis Trump’s Leadership in the Coronavirus Crisis
(about 3 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Trump Shifts Image: Leader for ‘Wartime’” (news analysis, front page, March 23):Re “Trump Shifts Image: Leader for ‘Wartime’” (news analysis, front page, March 23):
Memo to President Trump: If you think you’re a wartime president, you’re losing the war. The country needs leadership, not lies. The troops (physicians, nurses, first responders, many others) desperately need personal protective equipment. Patients need ventilators. The economy needs help for those at the bottom — not companies, their executives and their shareholders.Memo to President Trump: If you think you’re a wartime president, you’re losing the war. The country needs leadership, not lies. The troops (physicians, nurses, first responders, many others) desperately need personal protective equipment. Patients need ventilators. The economy needs help for those at the bottom — not companies, their executives and their shareholders.
Why did you wait so long to acknowledge that there was a problem? What will you do to help us? We need more than meaningless words.Why did you wait so long to acknowledge that there was a problem? What will you do to help us? We need more than meaningless words.
Daniel FinkBeverly Hills, Calif.The writer is an internist.Daniel FinkBeverly Hills, Calif.The writer is an internist.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “A Race to Deliver Critical Supplies to Medical Teams” (front page, March 22):Re “A Race to Deliver Critical Supplies to Medical Teams” (front page, March 22):
You report that President Trump resists use of the Defense Production Act because of his inclination “not to interfere with market forces.” You reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York State was paying $4 for masks that normally sell for 80 cents. Were the president to use the act, he could end this price gouging immediately. You reported that President Trump resists use of the Defense Production Act because of his inclination “not to interfere with market forces.” You also reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York State was paying $4 for masks that normally sell for 80 cents. Were the president to use the act, prices could not be bid up, and production increases could be mandated.
It is clear that for Mr. Trump and his allies, this pandemic is a business opportunity. The rest of us will pay the overcharges, some of us will get sick and perhaps some will die because of a lack of supplies. It is clear that for Mr. Trump and his allies, this pandemic is a business opportunity. The rest of us will pay high prices, some of us will get sick and perhaps some will die because of a lack of supplies.
Richard LeighNew YorkRichard LeighNew York
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Trump Is Faced With Crisis Too Big for Big Talk” (front page, March 22):Re “Trump Is Faced With Crisis Too Big for Big Talk” (front page, March 22):
Donald Trump’s despicable attack on a reporter, Peter Alexander, one of the most gentlemanly, articulate and evenhanded personages in today’s media, reaches a new low in the utter vacuum of leadership displayed by this White House.Donald Trump’s despicable attack on a reporter, Peter Alexander, one of the most gentlemanly, articulate and evenhanded personages in today’s media, reaches a new low in the utter vacuum of leadership displayed by this White House.
As later described by Mr. Alexander himself, the question that provoked Mr. Trump — asking what he would say to fearful Americans — was, indeed, a “softball,” one that any elected official would have used to calm a frightened population. Not Mr. Trump, a man so desperately in over his head that he reflexively resorts to insulting anyone who is not a total sycophant.As later described by Mr. Alexander himself, the question that provoked Mr. Trump — asking what he would say to fearful Americans — was, indeed, a “softball,” one that any elected official would have used to calm a frightened population. Not Mr. Trump, a man so desperately in over his head that he reflexively resorts to insulting anyone who is not a total sycophant.
Thankfully, we have a cadre of real leaders exemplified by Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, to name but a few.Thankfully, we have a cadre of real leaders exemplified by Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, to name but a few.
MacKenzie AllenSanta Fe, N.M.MacKenzie AllenSanta Fe, N.M.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
We echo the increasingly loud and frequent calls for television networks to stop carrying White House daily briefings live. They disseminate lies and fairy tales and in no way help citizens cope with the dangers and unknowns of the pandemic. “Briefings” can be dissected in news articles and televised newscasts, but do more harm than good in being presented in their entirety.We echo the increasingly loud and frequent calls for television networks to stop carrying White House daily briefings live. They disseminate lies and fairy tales and in no way help citizens cope with the dangers and unknowns of the pandemic. “Briefings” can be dissected in news articles and televised newscasts, but do more harm than good in being presented in their entirety.
Judith BarnardMichael FainChicagoJudith BarnardMichael FainChicago
To the Editor:To the Editor:
In these difficult times, it’s comforting to have someone who calmly appears on television daily with his administration experts to help him provide status reports, facts, realistic future projections and challenges met and still to be met. He offers hope where there is some to realistically be expected, and wisdom. He is honest about the situation we face. He occasionally scolds those who are not following C.D.C. guidelines and putting others at risk. In other words, he is being a leader.In these difficult times, it’s comforting to have someone who calmly appears on television daily with his administration experts to help him provide status reports, facts, realistic future projections and challenges met and still to be met. He offers hope where there is some to realistically be expected, and wisdom. He is honest about the situation we face. He occasionally scolds those who are not following C.D.C. guidelines and putting others at risk. In other words, he is being a leader.
Thank you, Gov. Andrew Cuomo.Thank you, Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Kim HemphillSouth Riding, Va.Kim HemphillSouth Riding, Va.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Please Fox News, help our country conquer the coronavirus. Your organization has a direct line to the president’s ear and mind. You have an enormous impact on his actions. You can help him report facts accurately, move resources to help those citizens who are most in need and stop the president from disparaging health officials and scientific reports. Yes, Fox, you can play a major role in conquering this virus!Please Fox News, help our country conquer the coronavirus. Your organization has a direct line to the president’s ear and mind. You have an enormous impact on his actions. You can help him report facts accurately, move resources to help those citizens who are most in need and stop the president from disparaging health officials and scientific reports. Yes, Fox, you can play a major role in conquering this virus!
Jon MeyersonBeverly MeyersonSarasota, Fla.Jon MeyersonBeverly MeyersonSarasota, Fla.