Coronavirus (COVID-19) Discussion Thread

[Raven]

EricHiggin said:

JWeinCom said:

Again, you're avoiding the point by asking a series of abstract questions bearing pretty much no relevance to the actual topic.

The risks inherent in studying the unknown are not comparable with suggesting something that is patently idiotic in light of what we actually do know.  And while there is nothing wrong with asking questions, there is something very wrong when someone who is in a position of authority in the situation hasn't educated himself enough to know what he is suggesting is a terrible idea. 

Who asked the questions that led to nuclear findings? Who made suggestions based on those? What is something immensely destructive we have today that could end the world multiple times over? What started and led to that?

If the scientists knew what nuclear findings would lead to, would they will have asked the questions and made the suggestions? Did they have any authority? Were they not educated enough, even as they learned?

Does anyone know everything and do some hold back what should have been said or asked, which leads to negative consequences for others?

Torillian said:

This isn't about an ideal world where there are always experts around that can give concrete answers to dumb questions. The people that have the concrete answers were there, they just didn't want to annoy the baby-in-chief. And when the dumb question is being broadcast to the entire country that's not good. From what I've read Trump is now saying he was being sarcastic (or at least the administration is) and based on how he ran out before questions during yesterday's press briefing it doesn't seem like he wants to clear up any misunderstandings. So again this all fits with the model I have:

1. Trump is dumb and he gets easily annoyed when told he said something dumb.

2. Trump has been vindictive in the past with his firings so those around him don't want to speak up even when he says something mind numbingly stupid. 

And no administration is ideal either, which is what this is supposed to be about, correct?

Trump has his issues like all leaders have. Trump seems to be vindictive at times, but sometimes people keep quiet to stop themselves from looking worse for their own good. Nobodies perfect.

You don't seem to have any response other than "But what about [insert falsely equivalized topic]?". People who have had some basis in the fields that they studied in regards to physics, medicine, biology, etc. were the ones asking these questions that you're referring to, NOT a businessman who has no type of professional or even unprofessional experience in any of these fields and therefore has no basis to make these types of suggestions aloud in a press briefing that millions of people across the country are watching. For better or worse, there are people that listen to the President because he is our leader and has a duty to serve the people. The job of a leader should be to provide clear and concise information in time of crisis, correct? I don't care what others may have done or said or not said before him, the point is he is the one in charge now, in a crisis happening now. If he is unable to perform in that regard by not letting the experts in these fields ask the questions instead of him, and stick to providing accurate and vetted information in a way that helps to reassure public confidence, then that is solely on him and no one else.