COVID-19  is a respiratory virus that was first reported on December 30 by Wuhan China health officials. In the last three months, the virus has become a global pandemic and has forced major nations into quarantine to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus and America is currently one of them. With such a hysteria causing event, one would think that Donald Trump and the Trump administration would quit the petty tweeting and step up to the plate. However, Americans might just have the most ill-fit administration leading us through this pandemic possible.

Because the Coronavirus is so unknown and unpredictable, Americans need stability and consistency from their President and others we look to for guidance. However, Donald Trump has consistently contradicted the words of his staff and other government officials, causing confusion which only further panics Americans. Perhaps the biggest example of this is the blatant lies concerning the shortage in testing kits to detect the Corona virus.

In separate trips to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention President Trump has claimed that, “Everyone who needs a test can get one,” creating a false sense of security for Americans. Later that week, that security was ripped away when Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar shared that tests can only be given if it prescribed by a health official. Essentially, “Our healthcare system is not set up in a way that will allow everyone who needs a test to be tested,” according to Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the National Institute of Health, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

President Trump has also flat out lied, claiming some of the companies said that a vaccine would be ready in three to four months. The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, later clarified that a year to a year and a half would be a more accurate timetable. Again, giving false hope only for it be ripped away. These are irresponsible statements for anyone to make, but the fact that he is our President who is meant to lead Americans through a scary time but is instead giving false promises is baffling.

This kind of behavior is dangerous. If enough Americans believe the words of the President they will also become unconcerned about the pandemic and not follow any precautions put in place. Today, in a press conference Trump admitted that he was optimistic and believed in the American people. I can appreciate the encouragement he thinks we need, but not in the face of such uncertain times and with so much contradictory statements between him and his administration. Yes, I agree that we shouldn’t promote hysteria, but if you want people to stay safe you have to tell them as much of the truth that they need to know, and then believe and hope they take precaution anyways.

In multiple interviews Trump is insensitive and almost uncaring about the national emergency that he declared. Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, said in a the latest interview that Trump is, “Consistently late,” referring to the late and limited supplying of ventilators to hospitals. Rather than ensure they’d send equipment during this state of National emergency, Trump said, “For years they bought them, now all of a sudden they want to come to the federal government.” They want to come to the federal government because its a National Emergency, not because they’re looking for handouts.

As of now we are seeing a shortage of ventilators, COVID-19 testing kits, and a long process for the development of a vaccine. As I mentioned before, the American healthcare system is not set up in a way that is functioning correctly, and our government is not set up in a way to properly handle the Coronavirus. Essentially, they are failing us, and the petty tweets are doing nothing to help.