Perfectly coordinated

Trump isn’t going to like this.

The government’s top infectious disease expert on Sunday said that the coronavirus outbreak is getting worse and warned elderly and sick people to think twice before traveling or circulating in crowds.

The remarks from Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, signaled a change in tone from health officials representing the Trump administration, making it clear that the outbreak is past the point where it can be prevented from spreading or easily tracked. That contrasted with the more measured language from some Trump officials including Vice President Mike Pence.

“Measured” is a flattering word for it. I would call it recklessly minimizing.

“If you get infected, the risk of getting into trouble is considerable, so it’s our responsibility to protect the vulnerable,” Fauci said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “When I say protect, I mean right now, not wait until things get worse, say ‘no large crowds, no long trips, and above all, don’t get on a cruise ship.'”

The cruise industry is going to take a wallop. I see 10 or more a week going in and out here from April through October. I bet that’s going to change.

Former Trump FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb predicted the coming weeks will “change the complexion in this country,” adding that lockdowns of certain states or cities “are going to need to happen” or health systems will get exhausted and fatalities will rise quickly.

What’s a lockdown? What does it mean to lock down a city or state? Telling people who can to stay home, I suppose, but I wonder what else. Seattle and environs will be first on the list.

The Associated Press reported late Saturday that the White House overruled a CDC warning that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines. Trump administration officials denied the report.

Trump administration officials lie a lot.

Current and former administration officials have said President Donald Trump’s eagerness to downplay bad news has undercut his own administration’s efforts to contain the outbreak.

No shit.

He’s still doing it, too.

I hope he catches it.

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