Coronavirus Anxiety: Embracing Lessons of Crisis to Support Public Health Safety Net & Social Solidarity

The antics of Trump — with his lack of credibility and insatiable ego — continually get on the nerves of millions. Ongoing headlines about the Occupant in the White House reveal consistent callousness and incompetence in responding to the nation’s current public health crisis and related, pressing issues. And, as Americans look for reasonable guidance, little clarity or comfort can be found at the moment. As John Pavlovitz wrote 3/21/20 in referring to one of the most recent indicators of the American president’s failure to lead: “Today’s #TrumpMeltdown (and it was a meltdown) occurred when a reporter lobbed Donald Trump a softball about what he’d say to people who are scared, gave him the chance to calm people, steady the nation, be presidential — and he freaked out…because he is over his head, terrified, and incapable of decency.” As the lives of everyday citizens are turned upside down, millions are at risk due to lack of access to routine testing or healthcare. Some interactions could result in virus exposure from people who are careless about their impact on others. And, these perceived life-or-death dilemmas mount from economic uncertainties and a dysfunctional Congress.

These are just some of the most recent, potentially triggering headlines: White supremacy groups are using the Coronavirus crisis to spread more hate and disorder. Former FBI agent stunned by GOP’s willingness to die for 401ks: I dealt with suicidal cults — this…