Letter to the editor: Trump acts, Dems obstruct

Your Letters section carries a lot of pro/con claims regarding the Trump administration’s response to the covid-19 pandemic. Here is a summary of what I see as the differences between Trump’s and the Democrats’ actions.

The first case of covid-19 was announced Dec. 31. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi toyed with the articles of impeachment until Jan. 10, delaying the impeachment trial until Jan. 16. It ran to Feb. 5. Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer asked federal officials to declare a public health emergency Jan. 26.

Trump created the Coronavirus Task Force by Jan. 29, and imposed travel restrictions on China Jan. 31. Some Dems, including Joe Biden, called Trump a racist and xenophobe, and accused him of fear-mongering.

The Senate acquitted Trump Feb. 5. On March 11, Trump expanded the travel restrictions to European nations and worked with the Fed to get interest rates reduced to 0% by March 15. He declared a national emergency March 13 and worked with Congress to create two major economic relief packages in March.

The Dems delayed passage of covid-19 relief legislation by arguing over funding for non-coronavirus related items, such as environmental regulations, and making abortion providers eligible for aid under the bill..

Trump organized FEMA to work with private industries to convert production facilities to make medical supplies. In late March, he moved a Navy hospital ship to New York City.

At the beginning of April, Pelosi and Adam Schiff called for creation of a House select committee and a bipartisan commission to investigate Trump administration’s response to the pandemic response.

Obviously, Trump takes action, Dems obstruct; what’s new?

Bob Jacobs

Unity