Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Tweet Little Lies

[oped]

Only After the Largest HIV outbreak in what a decade?   

[swamp]

Feb 26, 2020 19:19:14 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Feb 26, 2020 14:00:33 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Trump administration to cut funds from health programs to pay for coronavirus response

The Trump administration will pay for the coronavirus response in part by cutting funds from other health programs, including one that pays for heating and cooling assistance for the poor.

Of the $136 million the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to transfer from other health programs to bolster the coronavirus response, $37 million will come from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, according to a notice sent to Congress Tuesday night by the agency and obtained by The Hill.

HHS will make several other transfers, including $63 million from the National Institutes of Health and $4.9 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which funds mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention.

The Aging and Disability Services Programs will lose $4.2 million.

HHS does not need congressional approval to transfer the funds.

“It is not an easy decision to transfer funds from other HHS programs, but it provides needed resources to continue the Department’s robust and multi-layered public health preparedness and response efforts,” an HHS spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.

Complete article here: Trump administration to cut funds from health programs to pay for coronavirus response

Cutting funds from health programs? Why not cut them from an already bloated military?

stop being sensible. 

[Gardening Grandma]

Feb 27, 2020 10:44:53 GMT -5 mollyanna58 said:

To be fair to Pence, he did approve a needle exchange.  It took a while, but he did go against his own beliefs to take necessary action.

"A while" was two months.  How many people died because he took two months  to take necessary action?
How many people will die unnecessarily because he puts his personal religious views first?


"In recent interviews, local, state and federal health officials said Mr. Pence initially held firm. So as they struggled to contain the spread of H.I.V., the officials embarked on a behind-the-scenes effort over several weeks to persuade him to change his mind, using political pressure, research and pleas for help from this remote, poor community.

On March 23, more than two months after the outbreak was detected, Mr. Pence said he was going to go home and pray on it. He spoke to the sheriff the next night.

Two days later, he issued an executive order allowing syringes to be distributed in Scott County.

www.nytimes.com/2016/08/08/us/politics/mike-pence-needle-exchanges-indiana.html

[Tennesseer]

From a 08/07/2016 article:

How Pence's slow walk on needle exchange helped propel Indiana's health crisis
The GOP vice presidential nominee's response to Indiana’s opioid scourge offers a window into his approach to handling a crisis.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a pledge last month, along with most of the nation’s governors, to combat the opioid crisis, calling it “one of the deadliest drug epidemics in our nation’s history.” But when confronted with a spiraling HIV outbreak in his home state as a result of opioid addicts sharing contaminated needles, Pence dragged his feet before agreeing to lift a ban on programs that distribute sterile needles.

Indiana became a national flash point for the opioid epidemic last year when nearly 200 people in rural Scott County became infected with HIV primarily as a result of injecting Opana, a powerful prescription opioid, using dirty needles. Those needles spawned one of the biggest outbreaks of HIV in decades, with more than 20 new cases being diagnosed every week at the height of the outbreak last year.

Public health experts from around the country advised immediately lifting the state’s ban on needle exchange programs as a way to stop the spread of the disease — an approach that has proved effective in other places.

The governor resisted, but, under enormous pressure, he eventually agreed to a partial lifting of the ban. But critics say the statewide compromise has been ineffective because it offered little financial help to cash-strapped counties and permitted only “limited and accountable" exchange programs, as Pence described it.

The GOP vice-presidential nominee's response to Indiana’s opioid scourge offers a window into his approach to handling a crisis, showing someone deeply wedded to conventional conservative ideas but also a pragmatist who gave ground in an emergency. That approach helped quell the crisis in Scott County but did little for other communities struggling with clusters of hepatitis C and HIV infections from addicts sharing dirty needles. Public health experts also worry about additional HIV outbreaks without more effective prevention policies.

Complete article here:   How Pence's slow walk on needle exchange helped propel Indiana's health crisis

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2020 13:16:01 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Feb 26, 2020 12:59:34 GMT -5 @x said:

pulmonarymd

I expect Trump to politically be Trump. 

The CDC is operating normally.

I'm sure you're aware of the following, so it is for others here. 




Excerpt; 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary

This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance.

Updated February 25, 2020

Background

CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which has now been detected in 37 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern

external icon

” (PHEIC). On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-1


More at the following.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

And that is exactly the problem. Truth is the most important factor in dealing with these situations, and the government should be working from the same playbook. Going off script and contradicting experts will cause problems, and if things get bad enough, panic. There are times when statesmanship and deferring to experts matters, something he fails to appreciate. The hope is that this is an infection that either turns out to be less severe than feared, or that the transmission can be contained. Not looking good so far.

Yes, needs to look good.

[pulmonarymd]

Feb 27, 2020 13:34:21 GMT -5 @x said:

Feb 26, 2020 13:16:01 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

And that is exactly the problem. Truth is the most important factor in dealing with these situations, and the government should be working from the same playbook. Going off script and contradicting experts will cause problems, and if things get bad enough, panic. There are times when statesmanship and deferring to experts matters, something he fails to appreciate. The hope is that this is an infection that either turns out to be less severe than feared, or that the transmission can be contained. Not looking good so far.

Yes, needs to look good.

No, the situation does not look good. It is not a statement on the response, but that is subpar. Speaking off the cuff, as Trump does, is not the way to handle a crisis such as this. Claiming it will all be over in April, when little is known about the virus is not good. Claiming we are a few months from a vaccine in front of a congressional hearing is out and out lying. Then, saying oops, we meant Ebola, does not inspire confidence. Putting Pence in charge is a questionable move at best. so yes, I don’t think any of this looks good, but from where I sit and my medical knowledge, it’s amateur hour.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Feb 27, 2020 16:04:14 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Feb 27, 2020 13:34:21 GMT -5 @x said:

Yes, needs to look good.

No, the situation does not look good. It is not a statement on the response, but that is subpar. Speaking off the cuff, as Trump does, is not the way to handle a crisis such as this. Claiming it will all be over in April, when little is known about the virus is not good. Claiming we are a few months from a vaccine in front of a congressional hearing is out and out lying. Then, saying oops, we meant Ebola, does not inspire confidence. Putting Pence in charge is a questionable move at best. so yes, I don’t think any of this looks good, but from where I sit and my medical knowledge, it’s amateur hour.

What makes you so much smarter than Trump?  He's a stable genius!   You're just some ivory tower Never Trumper with a medical degree. 

[pulmonarymd]

Feb 27, 2020 16:13:33 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Feb 27, 2020 16:04:14 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

No, the situation does not look good. It is not a statement on the response, but that is subpar. Speaking off the cuff, as Trump does, is not the way to handle a crisis such as this. Claiming it will all be over in April, when little is known about the virus is not good. Claiming we are a few months from a vaccine in front of a congressional hearing is out and out lying. Then, saying oops, we meant Ebola, does not inspire confidence. Putting Pence in charge is a questionable move at best. so yes, I don’t think any of this looks good, but from where I sit and my medical knowledge, it’s amateur hour.

What makes you so much smarter than Trump?  He's a stable genius!   You're just some ivory tower Never Trumper with a medical degree. 

. LOL. I have thingees on
my wall in my office that tell me I’m an expert. I paid for them and everything too!

[Tennesseer]

This make me feel real safe and secure. 


Pence Will Control All Coronavirus Messaging From Health Officials

Government health officials and scientists will have to coordinate statements with the vice president’s office, one of three people designated as the administration’s primary coronavirus official.

WASHINGTON — The White House moved on Thursday to tighten control of coronavirus messaging by government health officials and scientists, directing them to coordinate all statements and public appearance with the office of Vice President Mike Pence, according to several officials familiar with the new approach.

President Trump announced Wednesday evening that Mr. Pence would coordinate the government’s response to the public health threat even as he played down the immediate danger from the virus that is spreading rapidly across the globe. Mr. Pence was scheduled to lead a meeting of the government’s coronavirus task force on Thursday.

Officials insist the goal is not to control the content of what subject-matter experts and other officials are saying, but to make sure their efforts are being coordinated, after days of confusion with various administration officials showing up on television. And they say they are not focused on specific news releases rather with a streamlined effort around television appearances.

Pence Will Control All Coronavirus Messaging From Health Officials

[pulmonarymd]

Feb 27, 2020 16:44:31 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

This make me feel real safe and secure. 


Pence Will Control All Coronavirus Messaging From Health Officials

Government health officials and scientists will have to coordinate statements with the vice president’s office, one of three people designated as the administration’s primary coronavirus official.

WASHINGTON — The White House moved on Thursday to tighten control of coronavirus messaging by government health officials and scientists, directing them to coordinate all statements and public appearance with the office of Vice President Mike Pence, according to several officials familiar with the new approach.

President Trump announced Wednesday evening that Mr. Pence would coordinate the government’s response to the public health threat even as he played down the immediate danger from the virus that is spreading rapidly across the globe. Mr. Pence was scheduled to lead a meeting of the government’s coronavirus task force on Thursday.

Officials insist the goal is not to control the content of what subject-matter experts and other officials are saying, but to make sure their efforts are being coordinated, after days of confusion with various administration officials showing up on television. And they say they are not focused on specific news releases rather with a streamlined effort around television appearances.

Pence Will Control All Coronavirus Messaging From Health Officials

Well that’s going to inspire confidence

[djAdvocate]

Feb 27, 2020 11:23:26 GMT -5 swamp said:

Feb 26, 2020 19:19:14 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Cutting funds from health programs? Why not cut them from an already bloated military?

stop being sensible. 

well, from Trumps perspective, healthcare is cheap, and there is lots of money to be made off the military.

so....yeah.

let them eat cake!

[Tennesseer]

New York Times article so will be behind a pay wall for some.

U.S. Health Workers Responding to Coronavirus Lacked Training and Protective Gear, Whistle-Blower Says
Team members were not properly trained, lacked necessary gear and moved freely around and off military bases where Americans were quarantined, a complaint says.

WASHINGTON — Federal health employees interacted with Americans quarantined for possible exposure to the coronavirus without proper medical training or protective gear, then scattered into the general population, according to a government whistle-blower.

In a portion of a complaint filing obtained by The New York Times that has been submitted to the Office of the Special Counsel, the whistle-blower, described as a senior leader at the health agency, said the team was “improperly deployed” to two military bases in California to assist the processing of Americans who had been evacuated from coronavirus hot zones in China and elsewhere.

The staff members were sent to Travis Air Force Base and March Air Reserve Base and were ordered to enter quarantined areas, including a hangar where coronavirus evacuees were being received. They were not provided training in safety protocols until five days later, the person said.

Without proper training or equipment, some of the exposed staff members moved freely around and off the bases, with at least one person staying in a nearby hotel and leaving California on a commercial flight. Many were unaware of the need to test their temperature three times a day.

Complete article here: U.S. Health Workers Responding to Coronavirus Lacked Training and Protective Gear, Whistle-Blower Says

[djAdvocate]

Feb 27, 2020 16:04:14 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Feb 27, 2020 13:34:21 GMT -5 @x said:

Yes, needs to look good.

No, the situation does not look good. It is not a statement on the response, but that is subpar. Speaking off the cuff, as Trump does, is not the way to handle a crisis such as this. Claiming it will all be over in April, when little is known about the virus is not good. Claiming we are a few months from a vaccine in front of a congressional hearing is out and out lying. Then, saying oops, we meant Ebola, does not inspire confidence. Putting Pence in charge is a questionable move at best. so yes, I don’t think any of this looks good, but from where I sit and my medical knowledge, it’s amateur hour.

this is an era of intentionally stupid governing.

I kinda preferred the accidental kind.

[weltschmerz]

Holy crap!


Don Jr.: Not at all. I mean, we've seen -- like you said, we've seen this play out for four years. Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump, they will. Anything he does in a positive sense, like you heard from the reporter that was just suspended from ABC, they will not give him credit for. The playbook is old at this point.

But for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here, and kills millions of people so that they could end Donald Trump's streak of winning, is a new level of sickness. You know, I don't know if this is coronavirus or Trump derangement syndrome, but these people are infected badly.


OK, so. The President's eldest son, who has made no secret of his interest in running for office and maybe even president in the future, is suggesting that Democrats are rooting for coronavirus to come to the United States and kill "millions of people" solely so that they might have a better chance of winning in November.


www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/politics/donald-trump-jr-coronavirus-democrats/index.html

[weltschmerz]

Feb 27, 2020 21:11:01 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Feb 27, 2020 16:04:14 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

No, the situation does not look good. It is not a statement on the response, but that is subpar. Speaking off the cuff, as Trump does, is not the way to handle a crisis such as this. Claiming it will all be over in April, when little is known about the virus is not good. Claiming we are a few months from a vaccine in front of a congressional hearing is out and out lying. Then, saying oops, we meant Ebola, does not inspire confidence. Putting Pence in charge is a questionable move at best. so yes, I don’t think any of this looks good, but from where I sit and my medical knowledge, it’s amateur hour.

this is an era of intentionally stupid governing.

I kinda preferred the accidental kind.

Yep, it's a kakistocracy.

[Gardening Grandma]

Feb 28, 2020 15:11:03 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Holy crap!


Don Jr.: Not at all. I mean, we've seen -- like you said, we've seen this play out for four years. Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump, they will. Anything he does in a positive sense, like you heard from the reporter that was just suspended from ABC, they will not give him credit for. The playbook is old at this point.

But for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here, and kills millions of people so that they could end Donald Trump's streak of winning, is a new level of sickness. You know, I don't know if this is coronavirus or Trump derangement syndrome, but these people are infected badly.


OK, so. The President's eldest son, who has made no secret of his interest in running for office and maybe even president in the future, is suggesting that Democrats are rooting for coronavirus to come to the United States and kill "millions of people" solely so that they might have a better chance of winning in November.


www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/politics/donald-trump-jr-coronavirus-democrats/index.html

Because that is what Republicans would do - .  Remember Rush saying "i hope he fails" referring to Obama..

[Icelandic Woman]

Feb 28, 2020 15:11:03 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Holy crap!


Don Jr.: Not at all. I mean, we've seen -- like you said, we've seen this play out for four years. Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump, they will. Anything he does in a positive sense, like you heard from the reporter that was just suspended from ABC, they will not give him credit for. The playbook is old at this point.

But for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here, and kills millions of people so that they could end Donald Trump's streak of winning, is a new level of sickness. You know, I don't know if this is coronavirus or Trump derangement syndrome, but these people are infected badly.


OK, so. The President's eldest son, who has made no secret of his interest in running for office and maybe even president in the future, is suggesting that Democrats are rooting for coronavirus to come to the United States and kill "millions of people" solely so that they might have a better chance of winning in November.


www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/politics/donald-trump-jr-coronavirus-democrats/index.html

His cult members could literally be dying from the virus and they would blame Democrats for keeping The Impeached One from saving them since they believe he is The Chosen One.

Love the thread title BTW!

[weltschmerz]

Feb 28, 2020 15:54:43 GMT -5 Icelandic Woman said:

Feb 28, 2020 15:11:03 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Holy crap!


Don Jr.: Not at all. I mean, we've seen -- like you said, we've seen this play out for four years. Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump, they will. Anything he does in a positive sense, like you heard from the reporter that was just suspended from ABC, they will not give him credit for. The playbook is old at this point.

But for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here, and kills millions of people so that they could end Donald Trump's streak of winning, is a new level of sickness. You know, I don't know if this is coronavirus or Trump derangement syndrome, but these people are infected badly.


OK, so. The President's eldest son, who has made no secret of his interest in running for office and maybe even president in the future, is suggesting that Democrats are rooting for coronavirus to come to the United States and kill "millions of people" solely so that they might have a better chance of winning in November.


www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/politics/donald-trump-jr-coronavirus-democrats/index.html

His cult members could literally be dying from the virus and they would blame Democrats for keeping The Impeached One from saving them since they believe he is The Chosen One.

Love the thread title BTW!

Thank you. 

....and Trump people are idiots.

[dondub]

Feb 28, 2020 15:11:03 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Holy crap!


Don Jr.: Not at all. I mean, we've seen -- like you said, we've seen this play out for four years. Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump, they will. Anything he does in a positive sense, like you heard from the reporter that was just suspended from ABC, they will not give him credit for. The playbook is old at this point.

But for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here, and kills millions of people so that they could end Donald Trump's streak of winning, is a new level of sickness. You know, I don't know if this is coronavirus or Trump derangement syndrome, but these people are infected badly.


OK, so. The President's eldest son, who has made no secret of his interest in running for office and maybe even president in the future, is suggesting that Democrats are rooting for coronavirus to come to the United States and kill "millions of people" solely so that they might have a better chance of winning in November.


www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/politics/donald-trump-jr-coronavirus-democrats/index.html

Why do I want to punch his smarmy face in? Oh help me resist, MLK.

[Tennesseer]

Mrs. Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian

MAKEUP TIP: Match your liquid foundation to your skin tone, not your shoes.

[billisonboard]

Why?

President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's headquarters in Atlanta this week as the US grapples with the novel coronavirus, an administration official told CNN on Sunday. link

Mr. President, they are kinda busy right now.

[pulmonarymd]

Mar 1, 2020 13:33:13 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Why?

President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's headquarters in Atlanta this week as the US grapples with the novel coronavirus, an administration official told CNN on Sunday. link

Mr. President, they are kinda busy right now.

Maybe he’ll learn something. Nah, who am I kidding

[Gardening Grandma]

Mar 1, 2020 13:33:13 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Why?

President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's headquarters in Atlanta this week as the US grapples with the novel coronavirus, an administration official told CNN on Sunday. link

Mr. President, they are kinda busy right now.

He’s going to interrupt them so he can get a photo op trying to look like he’s taking this seriously

[Tiny]

Mar 1, 2020 13:33:13 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Why?

President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's headquarters in Atlanta this week as the US grapples with the novel coronavirus, an administration official told CNN on Sunday. link

Mr. President, they are kinda busy right now.

Photo opportunity?    That way, in the future(maybe the near future) the pics can be used to write what kind of narrative is needed.     

Remember how Trump seems to admire/idolize Dictators and Authoritarian Government?    That adding the "correct narrative" to a photo is out of that kind of political play book.    

For some reason Trump (and/or his handlers) seem to think it's important for Trump to look like he's a credible leader in times of difficulties -- so I expect they will keep setting up these kinds of things.   This might be a good way to get Trump reading a couple of lines to help bolster the idea that our President actually cares about Americans.     I'm sure we've had plenty of incapable leaders during other times of difficulties.  At least their handlers were able to help them not make themselves look like a complete fool.  

(FWIW:  I have no idea how Trump instills confidence in anyone... when he gives a speech (and free forms it) it's kinda incomprehensible (I get it... you can then hear what you want to hear)  and when he reads a prepared text, he goes at it like someone who's still learning to read - two or three words at a time with no attention paid to punctuation or intent of the words/sentences.       

[Tennesseer]

Mar 1, 2020 13:33:13 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Why?

President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's headquarters in Atlanta this week as the US grapples with the novel coronavirus, an administration official told CNN on Sunday. link

Mr. President, they are kinda busy right now.

Maybe because Boris Johnson visited a lab already? trump doesn't want someone else appearing to be concerned about the virus?



link