If this has been said, I missed it: Dr. Fauci's reluctance to directly contradict Trump

(with one exception I can think of) makes me doubt whether we are getting "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" from him about the coronavirus crisis.
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This evening, for example, he was asked if it had not been a mistake for the US not to use the proven Coronavirus test available from the World Health Organization. He said he "didn't know" and changed the subject. Really? You DON'T KNOW?

He is not the obsequious ass-kisser that Pence is, but, in my view, he consistantly "rounds off the corners" to benefit Trump. And, yes, I am aware that he came to Pence's task force with a sterling reputation but, like the book says: "Everything Trump Touches Dies".

I do not believe any part of the "Trump got tested" story. Unless someone besides Trump

or those who are within his reach corroborates it, I refuse to believe he was tested.

IF it were to be corroborated that he did, in fact, undergo the test, I would then refuse to believe that he tested negative unless THAT was also similarly corroborated.

That's just playing the overwhelming odds, folks. I believe NOTHING that originates with Trump or his cultists.

"This, too, shall pass." Unsolicited advice from someone older than dirt.

First, do NOT interpret this as minimizing the seriousness of the coronavirus. I am 71 and sincerely believe this is the greatest danger we have faced within my lifetime. BUT, for the overwhelming majority of us, it will have minimal impact on our health and money lost can be replaced.

During WWII, American cargo ships headed for Europe were often attacked and sunk by German U-boats and surviving crew members were often afloat for days in crowded lifeboats. With little or no food or water, merchant seamen had very little control over their fate: either a rescue ship would save them or---they would die.
And, many did die; some from injuries and some from thirst. Some drowned and some were eaten by sharks. Some of them---often the youngest and strongest---"just died".

Older men, you see, had already experienced tragedy in their lives. They had lost friends and loved ones. They had known the pain of injury and illness. They had, for various reasons, been in situations where they thought all was lost---and yet the sun rose the next morning, life went on around them and, eventually, so did they.
In the lifeboats, they did what little they could actually do---rationed supplies, treated the wounded and posted a lookout---and then slept as much as possible.

For the younger guys, this was their first brush with death; their first friends killed; the first time their fate seemed totally beyond their control. They scanned the horizon around the clock. They replayed in their minds the horrors they had just witnessed and---they worried and worried and worried. And, some, totally exhausted after days of despair, "just died" while the guys with the gray hair, extra pounds---and scars---were alive to be rescued days later.

Do everything that you can do to keep safe. Be smart. Understand that "all you can do" is all you can do. Once you've done that, read, binge-watch comedies, write letters---and get plenty of sleep.

Later.

I thought Trump's complexion was noticeably better at yesterday's presser.

Did he shed his skin over night or just get a better make-up job?

For no particular reason at all------

I recall watching a documentary many many years ago about the couple who basically lived with a pack of timber wolves for a year or so, studying their behavior, their hierarchy and how they cooperate and maintain order within the pack. They filmed hours and hours of the pack's interactions and edited it down to a two hour or so program.

The part of the documentary that made the deepest impression on me involved how the leader of the pack---the "Alpha male"--- dealt with a pup that was repeatedly too aggressive with its litter mates.

Rough play is a normal part of a wolf pup's behavior and an essential part of its development. But, most understand that it is play and while they grasp each other with their teeth as they wrestle, they don't bite down with force. Any "nip" is accidental and it is very rare for skin to be broken---usually.

In the documentary, one pup in a litter of five or six was attacking his brothers and sisters again and again, causing yips and squeals of pain. Even when they fled from him, he pursued them, snarling loudly and snapping at them. The Alpha watched it all for several minutes.

Finally, when the "bully" had seized a sister by the throat and was about to do serious harm to her, the Alpha rose, seized him in his massive jaws and---bit him in half.

The group survives and prospers only when members respect each other. The bully pup was a threat to the unity needed to function as a pack. That threat was removed by the leader. Nature can be cruel, but it is almost always efficient.

Did I miss it!?? Has he tossed the paper towels yet? nt

Everyone runs late now and then and, of course, presidents who actually work have "a lot of irons

in the fire". But, Trump doesn't do diddly squat and he is ALWAYS late and often "makes his entrance" over an hour after the time announced by the White House for a speech.

I suppose when you have lived your entire life convinced that you are the only person in the world who really counts, "late" is not a concept to which you give much thought.

He's just a rude self-centered sumbitch.

Full disclosure: I am "one of those" who honestly does not believe that there is literally

ANYTHING Trump would not at least attempt in order to stay in office. I specifically include treason and murder in that "ANYTHING".

With that understood, is it not a distinct possibility that, using his "emergency powers" to deal with the pandemic and "in the interest of national security", Trump may "postpone" the November election?

In a real sense, he is fighting for his life. If he loses the election and is out of power, he will face investigations, prosecutions, convictions and prison sentences he would likely not outlive. Like a cornered rat, the man will do ANYTHING.

Let's be clear---when Trump says "I don't need no stinkin' coronavirus test!", he is not

being brave or tough or anything of the sort: he is demonstrating his total narcissism. He is saying "I don't care" about his wife, his son, his office staff, his aides and all the others with whom he daily comes into close contact.

If you look up "self-centered bastard", you'll find Trump's picture.

DUers---help, please: does anyone know whether the CDC's numbers for confirmed cases

of Covid 19 and resultant deaths have changed at all since yesterday? I suspect a "freeze" on providing info to the public, but cannot find the time frame for the #s they have on their site.i