We need leader who understands crisis

I've been watching daily briefings from Gov. Cuomo of New York, and it's become apparent that he is the Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower of the COVID-19 crisis. Cuomo has taken unquestionable responsibility and control for directing New York's war effort against the coronavirus.

His press briefings are inspirational - no-nonsense dissemination of the latest facts and statistics, outlining specific actions that are being taken throughout the state and reiterating the need for all New Yorkers to act responsibly to mitigate virus spread.

Compare Cuomo's leadership to that of Trump. Due to arrogance, ignorance and total incompetence, Trump placed the country two months behind the curve in reacting to an imminent threat. On Jan. 22, he said that it was totally under control. On Feb. 2, he said that we had pretty much shut it down. On Feb. 27, he said that it was going to disappear like a miracle. On Feb. 28, he said that the coronavirus was a "hoax." On March 2, he said that vaccines would be available relatively soon. On March 13, he said, "I don't take responsibility at all." Then on March 17, he said, "This is a pandemic. I thought that it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic."

Right now, our nation needs a leader who is capable of uniting the country in an all-out war effort to combat a threat the likes of which we have never experienced in our lifetimes.

Instead we have someone who thinks he can tweet his way to victory with insults and derogatory name-calling. Trump is the Herbert Hoover of the 21st Century and ironically at the start of the Great Depression, FDR was governor of New York. Any doubt about who was a true leader back then and now?

Stan Rozycki

Hawthorn Woods