Surprising lack of awareness

When asked about the COVID-19 crisis, Jeanne Ives said: "Fortunately, the Trump Administration's response to this has been terrific." and "We all have our own personal responsibility to ... stay healthy."

That was on March 7. The U.S. had 446 confirmed cases. As I write this just four weeks later, over a million people have been infected globally and there have been over 50,000 deaths worldwide. The U.S. has over 275,000 confirmed cases, more than anywhere else on the planet.

U.S. hospitals are facing critical shortages of tests, PPE, ventilators and hospital beds which will result in untold numbers of preventable deaths. Trump does not think a national, coordinated response is needed. Turns out that the Army briefed Trump in February and the Pentagon warned him earlier than that. Not only did Trump not prepare, but he weakened the ability for the U.S. to respond aggressively to mitigate the impact.

This is a surprisingly causal perspective from Ives who, as an Army veteran and West Point graduate, should have been more informed and alarmed. I don't want her representing the 6th District.

Sandra Alexander

Glen Ellyn