Shutterstock
In a tweet just before midnight on Sunday, President Trump stated that the “cure should not be worse than the disease,” suggesting that the period of social distancing in the US is wearing thin on the president.
Trump, who is famously preoccupied with stock market numbers and economic performance, is anxiously watching stocks fall and unemployment numbers soar as the preventative methods to stop the virus keep Americans at home.
In all caps Sunday night, Trump tweeted,
“WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!”
Trump was referring to the original proposal that at least 15 days of social distancing and isolation would be instrumental in slowing the spread of the virus.
Medical professionals, like Dr. Fauci of the White House coronavirus task force, have said at least two more weeks would be ideal to help stem the virus’s spread. Others have recommended even stricter behavioral changes, including full-blown quarantine efforts and lockdowns on affected areas.
Meanwhile, Trump is happily plugging away on one of his cellphones, tweeting about the “cure” being worse than the disease. But social distancing has already greatly slowed the progress of the novel coronavirus. The 15-day period Trump referenced will end on Monday, March 30. By that point, more data about the spread of the virus will likely be available.
According to insiders, many in Trump’s administration are frustrated. They’re irritated with the methods medical professionals suggest to deal with the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The White House seems to hold that there must be a way to address the spread of the virus without causing the economy to buckle. The stock market is falling under the pressure of so many people being away from work.
Stock market numbers continue to plummet while unemployment soars. The Senate is scrambling to draft a relief bill for the country. This is while millions of Americans are stuck at home. They are without jobs and without a reliable source of income. Many worry about paying their rent or other bills.
As Trump considers lifting the social distancing requirements early, many wonder if the potential threat of further community spread of the coronavirus is worth jump-starting the economy. Some have even accused Trump of putting the markets over individual human lives.
Some observers have pointed to Hong Kong. There, they saw declining case numbers until they suddenly lifted their strictest measures. And the cases once again surged.
