It seems nothing will stop Trump from moving ahead with his dangerous Fourth of July events
FROM THE start of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, President Trump has stubbornly and stupidly refused to follow the advice of health professionals. He wont wear a mask. He has mocked those who cover their faces. He has thumbed his nose at social distancing and other prudent guidelines as he insists on holding large, indoor political rallies. Now, as much of the country wisely cancels or scales back Fourth of July celebrations to protect peoples health, Mr. Trump is plowing full steam ahead with not just one but two massive events.
On July 3, Mr. Trump will be at Mount Rushmore for a celebration and fireworks display, and on the Fourth he will be back in Washington to host events that will include multiple flyovers by military aircraft and a 35-minute fireworks display over the Mall. Most localities have scrapped their traditional festivities, coming up with imaginative replacements such as virtual fireworks or on-screen festivals as they urge people to stay home and stay safe. But nothing not health experts concerns about large gatherings, not alarming spikes in recent days in virus case levels, not pleas from worried D.C. and Washington-area officials gives pause to Mr. Trump about going ahead with these potentially dangerous events. The American people have shown tremendous courage and spirit in the fight against this global pandemic just as our forefathers did in the fight to secure our independence, and both deserve celebration on Americas birthday this year, a White House spokesman emailed us Wednesday when we questioned the wisdom of having thousands of people gather on the Mall.
Local officials have banned gatherings larger than 50 people in a bid to stop the infections spread, and together the officials and people of Maryland, Virginia and the District have made progress in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. That makes all the more infuriating Mr. Trumps insistence on importing to the region the heedlessness he has encouraged elsewhere. Local edicts dont apply to federal land, so Mr. Trump can pretty much do what he wants, even if it is against the advice and wishes of health experts, local officials and park professionals. Despite the White House spin about Americans deserving a celebration, this is not about them but about the presidents desire to be at the center of a grand setting.
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) is urging people to stay home and keep their celebrations small and safe. Its good advice. There will be many more Fourths to enjoy the fireworks for those who live to see those days. We hope people in South Dakota as well as the District heed Ms. Bowsers sound advice.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/it-seems-nothing-will-stop-trump-from-moving-ahead-with-his-dangerous-fourth-of-july-events/2020/07/01/ff3adc8e-bbc1-11ea-80b9-40ece9a701dc_story.html
soothsayer
(38,601 posts)empedocles
(15,751 posts)lunasun
(21,646 posts)Donnie just put together 2020 in the middle of a fucking pandemic ? Who will be up there with him @mt Rushmore ?
DC Mall wtf ?
3Hotdogs
(12,406 posts)terminated last year.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)About 7,500 other spectators will be there with trump having won an online ticket lottery sponsored by South Dakota's state tourism dept
Per the govenor these visitors will not be told to don face masks or to practice social distancing at the event