Monday, April 6, 2020
How Bill de Blasio Failed New York City
Much has been wanting about Trump’s response to the outbreak. But de
Blasio’s fulminations against Trump are clearly meant to divert from his
own failures of leadership. De Blasio equivocated on obvious measures
like closing schools. He could not even bring himself to close the
city’s playgrounds. When these were finally shuttered, it was by decree
of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. De Blasio went along with the plan
reluctantly—“I respect that,” he said of the decision—like a child being
dragged to the dentist by his determined dad. On WYNC on Friday,
he said researchers had only discovered “in the last 48 hours” that
asymptomatic people can spread the disease. If Trump made the same
preposterous claim, there would be howling calls for impeachment,
renewed questions about his state of mind. Public-health professionals
have known for months how the coronavirus spreads and who can do the
spreading. If de Blasio didn't know, the fault is fully his own.
ZAKA head: Ultra-Orthodox ‘completely confused’ by virus, looking for leadership
https://www.timesofisrael.com/zaka-head-ultra-orthodox-completely-confused-by-virus-looking-for-leadership/
The head of the ZAKA voluntary emergency organization, which has been
helping implement restrictions in ultra-Orthodox communities in order
to halt the spread of the coronavirus, said Sunday that there is vast
confusion among Israel’s Haredim about the pandemic, and a growing sense
of disappointment among the community that their leadership has failed
them.
After Trump Bans All N95 Mask Exports, Canadians Remind U.S. That They Helped Americans After 9/11
https://time.com/5816072/canada-n95-mask-ban-reaction/
Canadians across the country expressed hurt and disappointment that
their neighbor and longstanding ally is blocking shipments of the masks
from the United States to ensure they are available in the U.S. during
the coronavirus pandemic. Canadian health care workers — like those in
the U.S. — are in dire need of the masks that provide more protection
against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Black hat hackers: 6 things to know for April 6
https://www.timesofisrael.com/black-hat-hackers-6-things-to-know-for-april-6/
Netanyahu reportedly waffles on expanding closures to additional Haredi towns and neighborhoods as ultra-Orthodox ministers accuse him of singling out their community
Jared Kushner's spine-chilling new role
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/03/opinions/jared-kushners-spine-chilling-new-role-ghitis/index.html
Kushner's translucent presence -- his
affect, bereft of even the slightest hint of empathy, in perfect
synchrony with his callous words -- was a spectacle suitable for our
nightmarish times.
Now we know why Trump has put him in charge of so many intractable problems. Kushner is afflicted by a superabundance of unwarranted self-confidence. He is an introverted Trump; arrogance without flamboyance.
Kushner chastised
governors, with citizens literally gasping for air, for asking the
federal government to help find life-saving ventilators. "Don't ask us
for things when you don't know what you have in your own state. Just
because you're scared, you ask your medical professionals and they don't
know," he reprimanded.
\
Coronavirus patient arrested on bus to Jerusalem
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278320
Police arrested a coronavirus patient on a public bus on his way to Jerusalem Sunday.
The
incident began when police received information from the patient's
family, and a check by the police about his whereabouts revealed that
the patient was most likely on a public bus making his way on Route 1,
toward Jerusalem.
'He's a total disgrace': Trump defends firing U.S. intel watchdog
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-inspectorgeneral/hes-a-total-disgrace-trump-defends-firing-us-intel-watchdog-idUSKBN21M0KK
Atkinson’s firing prompted concerns among some Congressional Republicans and criticism from Democrats.
U.S. Senator Richard Burr, who chairs the Senate Intelligence
Committee, praised Atkinson, while noting Trump has the authority to
fire him.
“Like any political appointee, the inspector general
serves at the behest of the Executive,” Burr, a Republican from North
Carolina, said in a statement on Saturday. “However, in order to be
effective, the IG must be allowed to conduct his or her work independent
of internal or external pressure.”
U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, demanded a better explanation for Atkinson’s firing.
“Congress
has been crystal clear that written reasons must be given when IGs are
removed for a lack of confidence,” he said. “More details are needed
from the administration.”
Trump's coronavirus mismanagement again undercuts his CEO image
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/05/politics/president-management-covid-2020/index.html
In
his closing argument before the 2016 election, Donald Trump pointed
voters toward his "under budget and ahead of schedule" new Washington
hotel: "A metaphor for what we can accomplish for this country."
Trump
pitched himself as a successful businessman and an executive, even
though his actual record included a string of spectacular bankruptcies
and lawsuits -- including an effort during the 2008 financial crisis to sidestep
a $40 million debt to Deutsche Bank by invoking a "force majeure"
clause likening the economic catastrophe to riots or floods. Rather
than pay what he owed, he sued the bank claiming harm to his finances
and reputation, eventually settling out of court.
He has insisted the virus "snuck up on
us," faulting China for failing to give "earlier notice." Earlier, when
minimizing the risks posed by the disease, he said China's "very hard" work would protect Americans.
He
has blamed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for years in
which it "did nothing" to upgrade testing systems. Earlier, at CDC
headquarters, he called testing "perfect" and available to all.
As the damage has grown, so have Trump's attempts to absolve himself.
"I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our fault," he said, explaining his desire to keep a cruise ship with infected Americans offshore.
"I don't take responsibility at all," he said of the administration's testing woes.
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