# ...from the President of the United States: WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 23, 2020, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078 "2020-03-23T05:48:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/41 "2020-03-23T16:37:05Z")
Well, it’s even worse than I thought. According to Peter Alexander, as far as Trump is concerned, we are already 7 or 8 days into those 15 days, so his decision is coming maybe about next Monday or so. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/42 "2020-03-23T17:00:20Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Speaking objectively and concretely, Trump is arguing that the problem itself (millions of people getting infected and dying) cannot be worse than the cure (a stock market that makes Trump look bad). > [@SayTwo](#): > > That’s what you think it means, a bad stock market? Gosh, what a narrow (and telling) perspective. Actually, **HMS** isn’t far off. What’s the worst thing Trump believes can happen to him? _Anything_ which makes him look bad, including a bear market. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/43 "2020-03-23T17:19:23Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > And that’s the thing. By tomorrow, Trump will say something totally different. Then on Thursday or Friday he will deny saying either thing. > > It’s impossible to discern what the American plan is. Even granting that every country is thinking on its feet to some extent, there is a lot of value in reassuring the public by NOT appearing like an insane moron. Some reporter should once again ask Trump to reassure the public, just to see him go off (again) on an insane insulting rant against a reporter. They should all ask him that over and over and over until he has an attack and falls gibbering to the floor. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/44 "2020-03-23T17:35:45Z")
I really think the Dems should impeach him over this. Just because they’ve already done it once, so what? He’s a clear and present danger to millions of Americans. Of course the Senate wouldn’t remove him. But at least they’d be confronted with the responsibility for thousands, perhaps millions, of deaths. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/45 "2020-03-23T17:41:37Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > WTF is that even supposed to mean, “which way to go”? At the end of two weeks he’ll decide whether or not to make the cure worse than the disease? It means that he’s giving the illegal alien Chinese virus until the end of the week to vacate the premises. If it hasn’t by then, he’ll send in ICE to arrest and deport it. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/46 "2020-03-23T17:48:30Z")
In a few days he’ll deny he ever said it and his cultist base will go along. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/47 "2020-03-23T17:50:27Z")
I have a feeling that this presidency has underlying health conditions, which likely won’t survive COVID-19. We will see once the general election starts. Until then, hopefully local government leaders will handle things well enough. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/48 "2020-03-23T17:52:09Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Some reporter should once again ask Trump to reassure the public, just to see him go off (again) on an insane insulting rant against a reporter. > > They should all ask him that over and over and over until he has an attack and falls gibbering to the floor. Heck, what was that outburst he had yesterday about “nobody thanks me?” He seems to be ever more touchy about it. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/49 "2020-03-23T17:56:14Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Heck, what was that outburst he had yesterday about “nobody thanks me?” He seems to be ever more touchy about it. I think he’s pissed off that he has to stand behind a podium every day and pretend to be on top of this, instead of out playing golf. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/50 "2020-03-23T18:01:44Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > This is the culmination of decades of believing in the “cult of the individual.” Of believing you can just “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” There is no leadership at the top, and those at the top are happy to see the country burn. I’m so, so sorry. So many Americans are about to die. You forgot about the bit of “starving the beast” - defunding and shrinking government until it is “small enough to drown in a bathtub”. There is a crowd that decades ago set out to dismantle the Federal government and they’re the guys in charge now - they won, they succeeded. If it wasn’t so damn sad I’d laugh because so many of their stupid followers will die gasping for their last breath in the corridor of an overwhelmed hospital wondering how things got so bad so quick. I can’t though - they’re going to take a lot of other people with them. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/51 "2020-03-23T18:10:13Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > IF we had competent leadership something like that statement could be acceptable. Public health actions SHOULD be adjusted based on changing information. Ramp up or down in response to quality data assuming you have it and qualified experts are analyzing it and advising on the nationally coordinated adjustments. > > Unfortunately that is not what we have. True. And he’s right that in theory we could take actions in the name of a cure that would be worse than the disease. That’s why we’ve accepted the increased risk caused by keeping grocery stores and pharmacies and the businesses that supply them open, because the likely outcome of shutting down the food supply chain WOULD be worse than the disease. But Trump wont be capable of striking the proper balance because still doesn’t understand the dynamics of exponential growth and he’s too stupid to grasp it. I could probably negotiate a good deal with him by offering to work for a dollar the first day if he doubled my pay every day for a month. HE JUST DOESN’T GET IT. I called this a few days ago, even though I’m not going to hunt down the post. It was based on seeing Pence constantly showing that 15 Days to Slow The Spread pamphlet. He didn’t talk about it that much but he always held it in camera view. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/52 "2020-03-23T18:17:57Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I think he’s pissed off that he has to stand behind a podium every day and pretend to be on top of this, instead of out playing golf. I think his _rallies_ are what he really misses, all those adoring crowds of Trumpists who believe he’s wonderful. Someone pointed out the other day that the daily pressers started up just after the rallies had to be canceled. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/53 "2020-03-23T18:22:25Z")
Young folks typically hate the idea of getting old. Trump has a plan for that. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/54 "2020-03-23T18:23:56Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I think he’s pissed off that he has to stand behind a podium every day and pretend to be on top of this, instead of out playing golf. Is this the most days in a row that he has spent in the White House? ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/55 "2020-03-23T18:25:10Z")
> **[Trump says things will be 'bad' but is itching to scale back social distancing...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/politics/trump-coronavirus-15-days-social-distancing/index.html)** > > President Donald Trump signaled Monday he is aware things may get worse before they get better as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic. But nonetheless he is itching to ease federal guidelines that have shuttered businesses and kept workers... Trump is tired of social isolation. He seems to think the stock market is a better indicator of his chances for re-election than the welfare of Americans during a deadly virus outbreak. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/56 "2020-03-23T18:38:32Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I think he’s pissed off that he has to stand behind a podium every day and pretend to be on top of this, instead of out playing golf. It has been 2 weeks since he played… ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/57 "2020-03-23T18:46:59Z")
From the right wing Facebook posts I’ve seen, the faithful have not abandoned their Dear Leader. One bemoaned that the money that Democrats spent on impeachment should have been spent on helping Americans. That drew a comment that she stole the money from Social Security to pay for impeachment. Another meme said that the drunken bitch who tore up the State of the Union Address refused to aid Americans. Nice and subtle. The base doesn’t care what he says or what he does. He could very well say in 15 days “Fuck it, crisis is over, everybody get back to work. If people die, tough titties. We have to get the stock market back up” The base would happily lap it up just as fast as they would lap it up if he took a dump in their kitchen. Now poor little Mitch is whining that the Democrats wouldn’t swallow his bill that would have given the administration $500 billion to distribute to corporations as it sees fit with no oversight. Seriously, these clowns are running the circus. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/58 "2020-03-23T18:56:17Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > It has been 2 weeks since he played… Jeez, no wonder he’s getting so antsy. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/59 "2020-03-23T18:59:29Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > That’s what you think it means, a bad stock market? Gosh, what a narrow (and telling) perspective. It sounds like you have better information than I do. Would you care to share it? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/60 "2020-03-23T19:02:42Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > [https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/politics/trump-coronavirus-15-days-social-distancing/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/politics/trump-coronavirus-15-days-social-distancing/index.html) > > Trump is tired of social isolation. > > He seems to think the stock market is a better indicator of his chances for re-election than the welfare of Americans during a deadly virus outbreak. What’s happening here is obvious. Trump doesn’t want to focus on the crisis any more. His attention span is less than that of my 3 year old grandson. Everyday he has to stand up there and say something, and he’s getting tired of it. This is the one agenda he can’t control. He can’t turn coverage to anything else. If he tells everyone they can come out now he can turn his attention to something else - that what he must be thinking. We all knew he was not up to the job but this is proving it. The best thing Trump could do for the country at this point is to fall over dead of a stroke or heart attack. Pence may be an asshole, but he can focus on something for more than a week. Or two days. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078.md?page=4)