Trump Was Just Asking, Says Reader

July 22, 2024

Editor, The News-Gazette:

I believe your columnist Glenn Rose needs to do some fact checking before posting claims. For example, last week he claimed, “Trump ridiculed science while suggesting that bleach in the blood might be a remedy.”

The fact is, Trump asked medical officials if injecting disinfectants could help fight against Covid? It was a question at a time when nonmedical people were asking all sorts of questions around what could be done about Covid.

While some more knowledgeable people might find the question ridiculous, it’s appropriate to remember, asking a question does not imply a recommendation as the writer insinuated. It actually reflects humility and a willingness to learn.

Mr. Rose failed to note it was Trump’s Operation Warp Speed (also at the time ridiculed) that resulted in not one but three vaccines in record time! Nor did he note the rapid distribution of the new vaccines, providing a Navy Hospital ship to New York and another to the West Coast, and the mass provision of thousands of ventilators and personal protective equipment. The above was a rapid and historic response by Trump’s administration to the crisis we were all facing. Let’s not confuse 20/20 hindsight with historical facts.

CONSTANCECRITTENDEN Lexington