So what exactly should he do differently that would cause less deaths and eradicate the virus more quickly while not sending the US into an economic depression?
Pete, I have answered this question repeatedly . . and none of the TRUMPERS want to hear the truth. but . . . I will list the issues for those with an open mind. (ie It won't be you !)
1.) True Leadership - He will start by educating people with the TRUTH ! - no lies, snake oil salesman or voodoo witch doctors claiming they have a cure, just science, facts and our best understanding at the time.
2.) We need a 3 week HARD shutdown for the entire nation ! (on most activities outside of work - including K-12 schools.)
If businesses can figure out how to socially distance their workers, I say . . let em work, but if their COVID cases jump . . they have to shut down or go to part-time work so they can socially distance
Look, . . we all should know by now that it's the social gatherings that are driving the spread, so focus on that area. (Beaches, bars, all large gatherings, etc.. AND . . it MUST be done across all 50 states at the same time !) Our country is currently playing Wack-a-mole (It will NEVER work ! - and the constantly climbing numbers prove it ! How many other nations have a track record where every month generates a new high mark on cases? ? ? Not many, huh ?
3.) We need BETTER, more ACCURATE tests, with FASTER turn-around times on the results. (ie Getting results in 5-7 days is worthless !)
This is NO time to play the "It has to be AMERICAN" card - Go BUY the best tests in the world and/or copy their processes if there is no more capacity. My personal belief would be to use South Korea's tests. This means get some expert supply management people negotiating for the entire country versus personal cronies that have a hard time coordinating a tea party. Lives are on the line !
4.) We need a national policy on mask wearing ! (Violate it and there should be penalties, fines, etc..) We should not just accept people who want to endanger fellow Americans, because they FEEL like it's there right ! - We have a crisis and real leaders should lead BY EXAMPLE ! Those around the world who are doing the best are religiously using masks - We should too !
Yes, . . there will be an economic impact to everyone, but it will be LESS than the last 10 months have been !
5.) We need more design of experiment studies down on the virus so we all know what are the REAL issues ! (What exactly is causing the spread - close contact w/o masks?, airborne particles in rooms?, people who are coughing/yelling/singing?, What is causing the worst cases in those under 50?, Can you get it again? , What percentage of people who get it have long-term health issues?, Are the worst cases caused by total viral LOAD ? (Amount of particles you take into your lungs / minute? , Would better filtration devices in rooms dramatically lessen the spread in-doors?, etc...) We had a great chance to do these when Americans were first brought back from foreign countries to our military bases, but . . sadly didn't !
6.) Focus on the Nursing homes, the prisons, the jails, arenas, trains, music halls, etc.. and the laws which are allowing people to spread the virus. (ie Indiana allows nursing home patients to transfer when infected - That's NUTS !)
7.) Focus on therapies for the worst cases - If we can prevent the deaths, it will be more manageable and allow us more flexibility in how we tackle the virus. (500-1,000 deaths /day will delay our economic recovery.)
Pretty straight forward stuff. We need people to realize that a few things done RIGHT can make a sizeable DENT in the issues and deaths. A Laissez-faire approach bets American lives on LUCK !