I think of myself as a rational person. I'm a professor. I live & work in a place where everyone values data, science, evidence. So Im struggling to understand the federal government's slow response to #COVID19. Seems so irrational. Theories please? Genuinely want to understand.
One theory is incompetence at the top. Maybe that's part of it. But shouldn't Trump by now be absolutely scared to death, and therefore ready to listen to those with expertise and competence in his government? (Is that too rational?)
A second theory focuses on trade offs -- taking faster , more aggressive actions in defense of our health now (i.e. #ShelterInPlace, using Defense Production Act ) would produce even greater negative economic consequences. Data in support of this explanation, however, are thin.
A third explanation focuses on socialization. USG is going slow now so that people can get used to the tough ideas/policies that are to come. I see this one as a plausible explanation (but of course EXTREMELY short-sided & wrong!)
Other theories?
