US Administration at the Center of COVID-19 Outbreak: Extremely Sloppy Crisis Management

Published in Hokkaido Shimbun
(Japan) on 13 October 2020
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Dorothy Phoenix. Edited by Helaine Schweitzer.
President Donald Trump was hospitalized for COVID-19, but with the presidential election approaching next month on Nov. 3, he apparently intends to resume campaign activities in full force, holding rallies and giving speeches.

While Trump insists that he "feel[s] perfect," he has refused to provide details about his condition. Instead, he has perpetuated this appearance of unfounded optimism. Perhaps he is aiming to cover up the failure of his measures to fight COVID-19.

Anyone can become infected with COVID-19. No one should be blamed for that fact. However, it is clear that Trump has taken a halfhearted approach to measures such as social distancing and wearing a mask.

In the U.S., there have been more than 7 million cases of COVID-19, with casualties surpassing 200,000, the worst numbers in the world. Trump is acting too irresponsibly for a president, as he continues to make claims that are only advantageous for him, without proper investigation or reflection as to whether they are appropriate.

Even after testing positive, Trump continues to downplay the severity of COVID-19, repeatedly saying he is "immune."

He will probably appeal to his supporters. However, according to a televised CNN public opinion poll, the number of people who disapprove of his response has climbed to 60%. One could say that his presidential qualifications are once again being called into question.

Even more grave is the fact that the White House, the center of Trump's administration, has experienced a mass COVID-19 outbreak.

An event celebrating the naming of a new nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court featured a large crowd, many of whom did not wear masks. After the event, in rapid succession, the president's advisers, the press secretary and others tested positive for COVID-19. Top U.S. military personnel who may have come into close contact with people who were infected went into quarantine.

If the government becomes paralyzed due to a crisis, national security may be jeopardized, and the effect on both domestic and international fronts could be dire.

Ever since the COVID-19 crisis began, Trump has belittled the risks, refusing to listen to scientific experts. No one has acknowledged the need for skilled crisis management, and the response has been very sloppy.

The second presidential debate, which was scheduled for this week against the Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden, has been canceled.

Taking Trump's health into consideration, an alternative plan was to hold a virtual debate via video broadcast, but Trump refused to participate unless the event could be face-to-face.

During the first debate, both candidates engaged in combative personal attacks from start to finish, and the debate was not focused on policy. However, there are myriad challenges that must be addressed, starting with COVID-19 countermeasures, and including other issues, such as restoring the economy, diplomacy and national security.

Only one debate remains. We would like for at least this last debate to be civil and productive.*

*Editor’s note: The final presidential debate took place on Oct. 22.


米政権中枢感染 危機管理、極めてずさん

新型コロナウイルスに感染して入院したトランプ米大統領が、来月3日の大統領選に向け、集会や演説などの選挙活動を本格的に再開させる意向を示している。

 「完全復活」を訴えたいのだろうが、病状についての詳しい説明を拒んできた。代わりにこれまで同様、根拠の乏しい楽観論を振りまいている。対策の失敗を覆い隠す狙いがあるのではないか。

 コロナには誰もが感染しうる。それ自体は責められない。とはいえ、トランプ氏が社会的な距離の確保やマスク着用に消極的だったことは明らかである。

 米国の感染者は700万人以上、死者は20万人を超え、世界最悪である。その対応への検証や反省もないまま、自らに都合の良いことだけを言いつのるのは、大統領としてあまりに無責任だ。

 トランプ氏は感染後も、コロナの危険性を過小評価する発言を重ね「私には免疫ができたようだ」といった発言を連発している。

 自らの支持層にはアピールできるのだろう。だが、CNNテレビの世論調査で、トランプ氏のコロナ対応を評価しないと答えた人は60%に上る。大統領としての資質が改めて問われる状況と言える。

 さらに深刻なのは、政権中枢のホワイトハウスで集団感染が発生したことだ。

 連邦最高裁判事の指名行事で、多くの人がマスクを着用せず密集状態だった。その後、大統領の顧問や報道官らの感染が次々と確認された。米軍制服組トップらが濃厚接触の可能性で隔離に入った。

 統治機構がマヒすれば安全保障上の問題さえ起きかねず、国内外に及ぼす影響は重大である。

 そもそもトランプ氏は、コロナ感染が拡大した当初から科学者の助言を聞かず感染リスクを軽視してきた。危機管理の認識が甘く、あまりにずさんだ。

 今週予定されていた民主党のバイデン前副大統領との2回目の候補者討論会は中止になった。

 トランプ氏の健康を考慮して映像中継によるバーチャル形式での開催に変更する予定だったが、トランプ氏が対面式でなければ参加しないと拒否したためだ。

 第1回の討論会は双方の激しい非難合戦に終始し、政策論争にならなかった。だが、コロナ対策をはじめ経済の立て直しや外交・安全保障など論じるべき課題は山積している。

 討論会はあと1回残っている。せめて最後ぐらいはまともな論戦にしてもらいたい。
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