This animated graphic shows the normalized covid cases in the states since June. Normaized means that it is showing the number of cases per 100,000 so we are comparing on an equal basis no matter what the population of the various states are. The June date was chosen because before then the US was ambushed by the virus, but by the June 8th date we knew what public safety measures could help control the spread.the spread of the COVID virus – Wearing masks and social distancing.

In the beginning of the pandemic the east coast cities of New York and New Jersey were hit hard because we have 3 large international airports in the area. Some of the largest airports in the country – LaGuardia International Airport , Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Trump was telling everyone the virus was coming from China and the West coast airports closed to travelers from China. What he didn’t say was that travelers from China and Europe were still flying into east coast international airports while Trump banged on the China threat. He patted himself on the back for closing the door from China but left the door wide open for travel from China that went through Europe!

What this animated graphic show is in the beginning of the pandemic the highest states were democratic states But the democratic states took heed to what the medical experts, scientists and their Democratic officials were saying about the actions they could take to slow the spread – wearing masks and social distancing.

It was hard work, often people and businesses chafted at the restrictions

but it brought the infection rates down. Meanwhile, Trump was lying to United States citizens telling them the virus was a hoax and would disappear magically while Bob Woodward has the president on tape saying he knows the virus is going to be really bad.

Trump knew the virus was going to be really bad why didn’t he prepare the nation with adequate PPE and testing. Because he did not care about the American people and how many might die. All Trump cared about was keeping the stock market up which he saw as the only indicator he valued of his success. ‘

Meanwhile in the midwest Republican governors kept echoing Trumps claims the virus was a hoax, dismissed wearing masks or any of the other measures experts were suggesting to control the virus

In those midwest states, people followed Trump’s lead and their governors’ lead – they did not wear masks or social distance. The only thing they were demanding was that the states “open up.” Echoing the demands of Trump and the Republican leaders.

Predictably Covid started rising in those states.

How sad it was to read the article in the Washington Post from the South Dakota nurse who said she was treating patients who were denying the existance of Covid up to their deaths. They kept sayinging this can’t be happening. It’s not real.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/11/16/south-dakota-nurse-coronavirus-deniers

We know why they were saying it’s not real – because that’s  what president Trump told them in multiple statements. That’s what their Republican governors kept telling them – it’s a hoax – its not real.

Have the lies from these government officials caused the death of someone you loved – your mother – your father – a sibling or someone ele they dismissed as having underlying conditions?

They were all loved human being who deserved a chance to live. They did not deserve to die to serve the needs of a narcissistic president who only cared about himself or republican governors who only cared about their careers.