Follow recommendations and we'll be OK

I have to think that every American wants a president who would assure us in these nightmare times, speak the truth regardless of consequences and be conscious of the potential of volatility in our fractured society. Instead we have one who twists and misrepresents facts to suit his narrative and eggs on the fringe element.

He said on March 6 "anybody who wants a test can get one." False. On March 13 he told us "[There will be] 1.4 million tests on board next week and 5 million within a month," After more than a month, the CDC still reported there had been just over 350,000 tests administered. It goes on and on.

Now without widespread testing, he's being an instigator for Tea Party-style "AstroTurf" protests over stay-at-home orders. His tweet about Virginia, "LIBERATE VIRGINIA and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege." seems to urge armed resistance to efforts designed to save lives. Even if he didn't mean that, it was, plainly put, asinine.

Wear masks when you are out. Follow recommendations for hand washing and disinfecting. The alternative is overloaded hospitals where life and death decisions will be forced on caregivers. The mortality rate for COVID-19 is around 3% in Illinois so don't take risks. Support food banks and local business. With enough testing, antibody testing and contact tracing, we will get through this regardless of foolish blathering.

David Troland

Arlington Heights