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Analysis: Will Pandemic Make Trump Rethink National Security? Analysis: Will Pandemic Make Trump Rethink National Security?
(about 8 hours later)
WASHINGTON — President Trump insists that choosing when to reopen the economy is “the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make,” and, in the short term, he is undoubtedly right. It is a perilous balance of public safety versus economic revival that would test any president, even one not consumed by a looming election.WASHINGTON — President Trump insists that choosing when to reopen the economy is “the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make,” and, in the short term, he is undoubtedly right. It is a perilous balance of public safety versus economic revival that would test any president, even one not consumed by a looming election.
But behind it is an even broader challenge: Whether an avowedly “America First” president who has always measured national strength by the size of the Pentagon budget, the number of ships in the Navy and improving the nuclear arsenal has now seen a peril that would lead him to drastically shift how he thinks about the nation’s security.But behind it is an even broader challenge: Whether an avowedly “America First” president who has always measured national strength by the size of the Pentagon budget, the number of ships in the Navy and improving the nuclear arsenal has now seen a peril that would lead him to drastically shift how he thinks about the nation’s security.
Another president might see this as the moment to gather nations together in a collective fight against a virus that leaps borders at astounding speed.Another president might see this as the moment to gather nations together in a collective fight against a virus that leaps borders at astounding speed.
But, so far, Mr. Trump has shown little interest in collective action, apart from episodic telephone calls with allies. His announcement on Tuesday that he would withhold American funding from the World Health Organization — for making the same mistakes he did, underreacting to the coronavirus outbreak and praising Chinese “transparency” — suggests that, if anything, he is again determined to go it alone.But, so far, Mr. Trump has shown little interest in collective action, apart from episodic telephone calls with allies. His announcement on Tuesday that he would withhold American funding from the World Health Organization — for making the same mistakes he did, underreacting to the coronavirus outbreak and praising Chinese “transparency” — suggests that, if anything, he is again determined to go it alone.
The Cuban missile crisis forced President John F. Kennedy to reorient the United States toward arms control. The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks forced President George W. Bush to ramp up America’s counterterrorism efforts abroad and expand defensive measures at home. The question now is whether the coronavirus could change the priorities of the national security world. Certainly, in his regular news conferences, Mr. Trump has shown no evidence that he is thinking about the long-range implications.The Cuban missile crisis forced President John F. Kennedy to reorient the United States toward arms control. The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks forced President George W. Bush to ramp up America’s counterterrorism efforts abroad and expand defensive measures at home. The question now is whether the coronavirus could change the priorities of the national security world. Certainly, in his regular news conferences, Mr. Trump has shown no evidence that he is thinking about the long-range implications.
“President Trump has an aggressively narrow interpretation of national security,” said Kori Schake, the director of foreign and defense policy at the American Enterprise Institute.“President Trump has an aggressively narrow interpretation of national security,” said Kori Schake, the director of foreign and defense policy at the American Enterprise Institute.
“It’s been all about border exclusion and military strikes,” said Ms. Schake, who was the deputy director of policy planning in the Pentagon under President Bush. “And this global pandemic shows the weaknesses of that pinched version,” she added, because it excluded threats that did not come from an enemy directing a weapon at the United States.“It’s been all about border exclusion and military strikes,” said Ms. Schake, who was the deputy director of policy planning in the Pentagon under President Bush. “And this global pandemic shows the weaknesses of that pinched version,” she added, because it excluded threats that did not come from an enemy directing a weapon at the United States.
Every year since Mr. Trump took office, the administration tried to reduce or zero out the kind of “soft” security programs that would have better prepared the country for the pandemic that now consumes every Washington policymaker, according to former members of the president’s national security staff. The detailed examination of the Trump administration’s halting response published in The New York Times over the weekend — revealing a decision-making system bedeviled by delays, missed signals and little planning for what would happen if containment of the virus failed — also disclosed the cost of that neglect.Every year since Mr. Trump took office, the administration tried to reduce or zero out the kind of “soft” security programs that would have better prepared the country for the pandemic that now consumes every Washington policymaker, according to former members of the president’s national security staff. The detailed examination of the Trump administration’s halting response published in The New York Times over the weekend — revealing a decision-making system bedeviled by delays, missed signals and little planning for what would happen if containment of the virus failed — also disclosed the cost of that neglect.
Stockpiles of masks and ventilators, depleted during the Obama administration, were never filled. Exercises like “Crimson Contagion,” which simulated a flu pandemic, were conducted but the lessons never bubbled up to senior leadership. Mr. Trump never spent the time or resources on those issues that he devoted to building a wall along the southwestern border or devising a game plan to pressure Iran. It is impossible to find a Trump speech dwelling at length on issues of public health, much less describing the subject as a risk to national security.Stockpiles of masks and ventilators, depleted during the Obama administration, were never filled. Exercises like “Crimson Contagion,” which simulated a flu pandemic, were conducted but the lessons never bubbled up to senior leadership. Mr. Trump never spent the time or resources on those issues that he devoted to building a wall along the southwestern border or devising a game plan to pressure Iran. It is impossible to find a Trump speech dwelling at length on issues of public health, much less describing the subject as a risk to national security.
In fact, until the coronavirus struck, the administration’s public discussion of biological threats was usually cast in terms of defending against deliberate attacks, not in terms of Chinese wet markets or college students returning from spring break. A strategy developed in 2017 and 2018 explored the full range of biological dangers. But by the time it was published in fall 2018, its key authors, Thomas P. Bossert, who was the White House homeland security adviser, and Rear Adm. R. Timothy Ziemer, who held responsibilities for health and biodefense, had been forced out by the new national security adviser, John R. Bolton.In fact, until the coronavirus struck, the administration’s public discussion of biological threats was usually cast in terms of defending against deliberate attacks, not in terms of Chinese wet markets or college students returning from spring break. A strategy developed in 2017 and 2018 explored the full range of biological dangers. But by the time it was published in fall 2018, its key authors, Thomas P. Bossert, who was the White House homeland security adviser, and Rear Adm. R. Timothy Ziemer, who held responsibilities for health and biodefense, had been forced out by the new national security adviser, John R. Bolton.
Introducing the strategy in September 2018, Mr. Bolton said it was, “we think, critical, for our defense purposes, looking at the range of weapons of mass destruction that the United States and our friends and allies face.” His briefing focused on how biological weapons are “particularly attractive to terrorist groups that want to try and cause great damage to us here at home.”Introducing the strategy in September 2018, Mr. Bolton said it was, “we think, critical, for our defense purposes, looking at the range of weapons of mass destruction that the United States and our friends and allies face.” His briefing focused on how biological weapons are “particularly attractive to terrorist groups that want to try and cause great damage to us here at home.”
He left all discussion of combating naturally occurring viruses to the Health and Human Services secretary, Alex M. Azar II, who would run a cabinet-level “steering committee” on managing such threats. It turned out to be a classic Washington solution — a bureaucratic structure that had all the right buzz words and none of the resources or authority to fill the gaping holes in the system that one government report after another, across three administrations, had warned about.He left all discussion of combating naturally occurring viruses to the Health and Human Services secretary, Alex M. Azar II, who would run a cabinet-level “steering committee” on managing such threats. It turned out to be a classic Washington solution — a bureaucratic structure that had all the right buzz words and none of the resources or authority to fill the gaping holes in the system that one government report after another, across three administrations, had warned about.
“What happened is what often happens,” Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state, said on Tuesday in a briefing sponsored by the Hoover Institution. “There’s a curve where we get mobilized and then we forget.” She added, “After this is over, we need to look at whether we need some more permanent structure on the pandemic side,” akin to the creation of the National Counterterrorism Center after Sept. 11, which built partnerships and networks across the government and around the globe.“What happened is what often happens,” Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state, said on Tuesday in a briefing sponsored by the Hoover Institution. “There’s a curve where we get mobilized and then we forget.” She added, “After this is over, we need to look at whether we need some more permanent structure on the pandemic side,” akin to the creation of the National Counterterrorism Center after Sept. 11, which built partnerships and networks across the government and around the globe.
It is easy to understand why: For three decades, there has been a well-funded defense lobbying establishment for spending billions setting up a land- and space-based sensor system to detect adversary missile launches, and comparatively little push to build a global surveillance system for emerging viruses. Even if there was, countries around the world often have an interest in denying the facts — the essential problem Mr. Trump and his aides complain about when they, accurately, blame China for sharing far too little data about what was happening in Wuhan, where the virus was first detected.It is easy to understand why: For three decades, there has been a well-funded defense lobbying establishment for spending billions setting up a land- and space-based sensor system to detect adversary missile launches, and comparatively little push to build a global surveillance system for emerging viruses. Even if there was, countries around the world often have an interest in denying the facts — the essential problem Mr. Trump and his aides complain about when they, accurately, blame China for sharing far too little data about what was happening in Wuhan, where the virus was first detected.
The resulting chaos is evident in reading the email exchanges of the “Red Dawn” group of elite infectious disease experts and government health officials, who from January to March were grappling in the dark to understand what kind of threat was headed to American shores, and where it would land.The resulting chaos is evident in reading the email exchanges of the “Red Dawn” group of elite infectious disease experts and government health officials, who from January to March were grappling in the dark to understand what kind of threat was headed to American shores, and where it would land.
Their warnings read a bit like the private messages to President Franklin D. Roosevelt from Joseph C. Grew, the American ambassador to Japan, in the years leading to Pearl Harbor. Both sensed what was coming but failed to figure out how to stop it. Such warnings became part of the congressional inquiry into Pearl Harbor — which contributed to the National Security Act in 1947 that created the Defense Department and, over time, the C.I.A.Their warnings read a bit like the private messages to President Franklin D. Roosevelt from Joseph C. Grew, the American ambassador to Japan, in the years leading to Pearl Harbor. Both sensed what was coming but failed to figure out how to stop it. Such warnings became part of the congressional inquiry into Pearl Harbor — which contributed to the National Security Act in 1947 that created the Defense Department and, over time, the C.I.A.
In recent weeks, Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, who served as the manager for impeachment, has talked about a similar investigation run by the House Intelligence Committee, which he oversees. Mr. Trump, who has made no secret of how he despises Mr. Schiff, immediately dismissed the idea. But some kind of investigation seems inevitable, and when it happens, the big question may be whether America First accelerated this crisis, making it harder to manage — and in coming months, harder to introduce treatments and vaccines.In recent weeks, Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, who served as the manager for impeachment, has talked about a similar investigation run by the House Intelligence Committee, which he oversees. Mr. Trump, who has made no secret of how he despises Mr. Schiff, immediately dismissed the idea. But some kind of investigation seems inevitable, and when it happens, the big question may be whether America First accelerated this crisis, making it harder to manage — and in coming months, harder to introduce treatments and vaccines.
“Most global crises, even severe ones, do not fundamentally change — and rarely reverse — the course of world politics,” Philip H. Gordon and Jeremy Shapiro recently wrote in “War on the Rocks,” a national security and foreign policy site. “Crises more often serve as accelerators, highlighting existing fissures and widening them. Just as patients with underlying conditions are more vulnerable to the disease, pre-existing geopolitical fault lines will likely be exposed by the coronavirus crisis.”“Most global crises, even severe ones, do not fundamentally change — and rarely reverse — the course of world politics,” Philip H. Gordon and Jeremy Shapiro recently wrote in “War on the Rocks,” a national security and foreign policy site. “Crises more often serve as accelerators, highlighting existing fissures and widening them. Just as patients with underlying conditions are more vulnerable to the disease, pre-existing geopolitical fault lines will likely be exposed by the coronavirus crisis.”
It is already happening.It is already happening.
The decision to withhold American contributions that account for about a sixth of the World Health Organization’s budget arises from his argument that international institutions stack the deck against the United States. In this case, he is clearly right to examine why the W.H.O.’s early warning radar failed, and whether it is too much in the thrall of China, which has often wielded large influence over the organization (mostly on the question of excluding Taiwan from membership).The decision to withhold American contributions that account for about a sixth of the World Health Organization’s budget arises from his argument that international institutions stack the deck against the United States. In this case, he is clearly right to examine why the W.H.O.’s early warning radar failed, and whether it is too much in the thrall of China, which has often wielded large influence over the organization (mostly on the question of excluding Taiwan from membership).
Updated June 16, 2020Updated June 16, 2020
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
But withdrawing funds only opens the way for China to take a larger role.But withdrawing funds only opens the way for China to take a larger role.
“This is like defunding the fire department in the middle of a fire,” R. Nicholas Burns, the former under secretary of state for policy and now head of the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard, wrote after Mr. Trump’s announcement.“This is like defunding the fire department in the middle of a fire,” R. Nicholas Burns, the former under secretary of state for policy and now head of the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard, wrote after Mr. Trump’s announcement.
Mr. Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, has already pointed toward another change in the offing: ending American dependence on global supply chains, especially for pharmaceuticals and critical medical equipment. Here the America First instinct may be more understandable. If the United States would never let itself be dependent on China for weapons, why would it let it be dependent for N95 masks? Or critical drugs and ventilators?Mr. Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, has already pointed toward another change in the offing: ending American dependence on global supply chains, especially for pharmaceuticals and critical medical equipment. Here the America First instinct may be more understandable. If the United States would never let itself be dependent on China for weapons, why would it let it be dependent for N95 masks? Or critical drugs and ventilators?
It will almost certainly be a race to develop a vaccine — in China, Europe and the United States. That will test how nations navigate the tension between treating their populations first or rolling out a cure for the world, on the theory that in a world where viruses do not need visas, no one will be secure until everyone is secure.It will almost certainly be a race to develop a vaccine — in China, Europe and the United States. That will test how nations navigate the tension between treating their populations first or rolling out a cure for the world, on the theory that in a world where viruses do not need visas, no one will be secure until everyone is secure.
There are already signs that Mr. Trump’s instinct — and that of other world leaders — is to take care of domestic populations first. That most likely explains why he sought to get a German company to move its vaccine research to American soil.There are already signs that Mr. Trump’s instinct — and that of other world leaders — is to take care of domestic populations first. That most likely explains why he sought to get a German company to move its vaccine research to American soil.
But there is no assurance that the United States will win the vaccine race. And that may make a strong case for investing in a multinational research effort, with pre-established understandings about how the results, and manufacturing capacity, will be shared.But there is no assurance that the United States will win the vaccine race. And that may make a strong case for investing in a multinational research effort, with pre-established understandings about how the results, and manufacturing capacity, will be shared.
If there is a lesson from the past three months, it is that no wall can keep out a virus, and what happens in Wuhan and Lombardy, Italy, will make it to New York and Washington.If there is a lesson from the past three months, it is that no wall can keep out a virus, and what happens in Wuhan and Lombardy, Italy, will make it to New York and Washington.