Thursday, June 18, 2020

Corona Daily 416: Presidential Theatre


Unlike the Putin pandemic, the Trump virus has a time limit. But the lust for power is common.

Trump begins his grand campaign to once again make America great on Saturday, 20 June at Tulsa, Oklahoma. The boisterous rally will take place at a center packed with over 19000 people. Trump has tweeted a million supporters have shown interest in attending (the population of Tulsa is 400,000).

Media reports point to the advisory issued by Trump’s government: The highest risk of Covid-19 transmission is posed by large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least six feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area. Trump criticizes the media’s double standards by pointing out the ‘Black Lives Matter’ rallies that happened in Democrat states.

The difference is those rallies were spontaneous, and held outdoors. Like with passive smoking, the risk of virus transmission is high indoors. Pence, when asked, pointed to the freedom of speech and right to assemble enshrined in the first amendment.

Tulsa and Oklahoma are heavily Republican. Tulsa is known for the race massacre (1921) where dozens of Blacks were killed and their property destroyed by White mobs. Initially, Trump had announced the rally on 19 June (Juneteenth), the day that celebrates the end of slavery in the USA.

After protests, Trump agreed to push the rally by a day. Anyone wanting to register for or attend the rally must sign a waiver: By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.

The BOK center, Tulsa, the place of the event, has so far cancelled or postponed concerts by Bon Jovi, KISS and Justin Bieber. Except Trump’s rally, no event is scheduled there until 30 July. On Saturday, the gates will open at 3 pm; the event begins at 7 pm. More than 19,000 people will be crammed with the man on the stage refusing to wear a mask. Encouraged, most supporters will unmask themselves. An average Trump speech runs longer than an hour. His audience, warmly close to one another, will shout slogans and chant. The 300 toilets in the center will be shared by the 19000 people. Coronavirus is neither Republican nor Democrat. But if it needed a stage and an arena for a grand impact, a better recipe couldn’t be conceived.
*****  

Donald Trump, now 74, is the oldest first term US president in history. He is obese, his medical conditions not known, because Trump is a master of not disclosing.

Joe Biden, 77, has survived two brain surgeries, takes blood thinners and medication for acid reflux, cholesterol and allergies. If elected, he will become the oldest president in US history.

The craving for power makes politicians blind. In 1991, Rajeev Gandhi wanted to regain India’s Prime Ministership. And Benazir Bhutto Pakistan’s in 2007. Both were given repeated specific advice not to mingle with crowds. Their lust for power made them ignore the advice, and both were blown by suicide bombers weeks before the election.

Trump and Biden don’t run the assassination risk. But if they start holding rallies, mixing with crowds and shaking hands, coronavirus may decide who will reach the finish line.

Unfortunately, just like Gandhi and Bhutto, reckless politicians take away many other lives along with them.

Ravi

3 comments: