The coronavirus outbreak has created an unprecedented crisis, presenting a complex set of problems to the nation’s leaders. There are direct public health implications, economic ramifications, political dynamics, and legislative questions.
Various public officials must handle a variety of aspects of communicating to the public on these important matters. It is perfectly appropriate, for instance, for President Trump to talk about the broad vision for the fight against the coronavirus, to try and keep up the morale of the public (who are being asked to endure personal hardship in the interests of slowing the spread of a disease that has only existed in humans for a few months), or to articulate his administration’s position on legislation moving through Congress. Love him or hate him, that is clearly the right role for Trump to be playing at this time.
