Something must be really wrong when a highly respected medical journal in the US, the New England Journal of Medicine, weighs in on American politics and calls on its high-browed readers to vote Trump out of office. It’s the first time in its 208th-year history since the magazine was first published in 1812 that the prestigious journal has become political and urged Americans to deny the incumbent president his reelection.
In a scathing editorial signed by all its editors, the publication scorched the current administration: “When it comes to the response to the largest public health crisis of our time, our current political leaders have demonstrated that they are dangerously incompetent. We should not abet them and enable the deaths of thousands more Americans by allowing them to keep their jobs.” By far, this is the most serious indictment of Trump’s incompetent handling of the pandemic, which is characterized by his predilection to prioritize politics over science. In condemning Trump’s policies vis-a-vis the coronavirus, the Journal’s Editor-In-Chief has stressed that “there have been many mistakes made that were not only foolish but reckless.” While The New England Journal of Medicine has not openly endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden, other venerable medical publications like the 175- year-old Scientific American has breached its policy by coming out in favor of Biden. Earlier this year, another esteemed publication, The Lancet, has urged the Americans “to make Trump a one-term president.”
Trump’s own handling of his personal health crisis when he was declared positive for Covid-19 has been questionable, to say the least. He and his doctors would not even state when he was last tested negative of the virus before he tweeted in the early hours of Friday, October 2, that he was tested positive for the coronavirus. This date is material to determine if Trump has been moving around and recklessly meeting people despite knowing that he was already contagious. Trump had taken part in over a dozen public events and mingled with thousands of supporters and donors who attended his campaign rallies and fundraisings until Thursday evening. Photos of the various events where Trump was personally present on the week he was tested infected with the disease showed that the attendees were neither maintaining physical distancing nor wearing masks, just like the President who disdains putting on one. Now his camp has admitted that Trump actually was not taking Covid-19 tests every day despite their earlier claim that the President has been undertaking the test daily. This debunks the myth that Trump has been rigorously practicing strict testing protocol not only for his own but also for the safety of others who may come in contact with him. Based on the number of White House officials and political allies who attended Trump’s public functions and caught the virus, Trump was a super spreader of the disease, and an irresponsible one at that. His utter lack of transparency is almost duplicitous without regard to other’s safety. For instance, when was the last time Trump tested negative before October 2? Why can’t he and his doctors answer such a simple question? His lack of transparency adds apprehension to the American people. How sick is Trump? His doctors have provided little information, if not inconsistent details, of his medical condition. Upon his return to the White House following his release from the Walter Reed Hospital, he immediately removed his mask, and triumphantly declared: “Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it. You’re going to beat it.” His reprehensible conduct is reckless and deadly. There is no candor, just obfuscation and they do very little to calm the apprehension of the ordinary Americans. A president who is not upright and honest has no business staying a minute longer in office. Maybe the American voters should listen to the editors of the prestigious publications in the US.
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At least in the Philippines, our government officials obey the health protocols and guidelines issued by the IATF-IED. Even President Duterte strictly observes the rules issued by the Task Force. In public functions and meetings that he attends, it is commendable to see him following social distancing and wearing a mask. It likewise pleases us to read the authorities enforce the law even against their fellow government officials to prevent the spread of the virus. The incidents involving Governor Daniel Fernando of Bulacan, Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan and Senator Koko Pimentel are notable cases in point. Furthermore, the Philippines has the longest and strictest lockdown imposed anywhere in the world. It is no wonder that in the latest Pulse Asia survey, 84 percent of the respondents have approved our government’s handling of the coronavirus. However, the real test of the pudding is when we see the incidence of the coronavirus flattens and when our economy recovers.
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St. Peter backs up Speaker Alan Cayetano but the Lord supports Rep. Allan Velasco. Who do you think will prevail?