Letter to the editor: Trump's swift action saved lives

It’s tough facing daily pandemic questions armed only with spotty data. It’s even tougher when biased media seek to influence rather than inform the public. Has President Trump made mistakes discussing the severity of coronavirus? Sure, just as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio did when they minimized its impact. All misspoke based on incomplete data.

But as data accumulates, Trump adapts. Despite his insufferable need to self-congratulate, Trump’s daily virus briefings are invaluable to citizens looking for light in a black hole. Democratic mouthpieces CNN and MSNBC harm America by not showing the briefings. Why? Because Trump’s unwavering focus on this unprecedented threat reassures November voters?

Thank God the man acted so fast in late January to restrict travel from China and then declare coronavirus a national health emergency on March 13. While Democrats ignored virus briefings during impeachment and Joe Biden called the travel ban xenophobic, Trump saved lives.

Without the president’s swift action, covid-19’s death count would be higher than it is today. The decision bought time to begin addressing flaws in our pandemic protocols before the inevitable outbreaks erupted. As they have, Trump’s team of medical and scientific experts diligently gathers data to support subsequent decisions. Somewhat more reassuring is watching a strong-willed president back away from personal preferences in favor of expert opinions.

But sadly, even experts and their “models” can be wrong when faced with the unknown. A tricky but increasingly unavoidable reality looms: Get back to work and school alongside the virus, while practicing lessons learned and protecting those most at risk.

Robert Szypulski

Penn Township, Westmoreland County