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Denial and dysfunction plagued the U.S. government for 70 days as coronavirus spread, with battles over testing, spending, travel limits & a national approach, per interviews with four dozen people involved. A dive w/ @yabutaleb7 @gregpmiller @nakashimae https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
In late February, for example, the CDC had failed to develop a test for many weeks. Jeffrey Shuren, a top FDA official inspecting their lab, delivered grim news: If subjected to the same standards as a commercial facility, he said, "I would shut you down." https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
When CDC officials sought to enlist private labs for testing, they were told to stand down. When officials sought more money to prepare, there was significant pushback, according to interviews with officials involved & documents reviewed by the Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
In February, a top NSC official pushed for a travel ban from Europe but it didn't happen. In February, Dr. Fauci said in a Situation Room that they did not see much community spread. Now, officials say there was inevitably spread but they had limited data. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
On Feb. 10, Trump said virus was likely to "miraculously" go away when it warmed up. The day before, Fauci & experts briefed governors in DC. "The doctors and the scientists, they were telling us then exactly what they are saying now," Gov. Hogan said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
In late March, top health and human services officials ordered 10K ventilators — far short of what health officials and governors say is needed. Many will not arrive until the summer or fall when things are hopefully improving. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
On March 17, top Republicans received grim polling from Neil Newhouse. Republicans were taking virus way less seriously as other groups & were far less likely to take precautions. "Denial is not likely to be a successful strategy for survival," he wrote. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
In January, Azar, now a deeply wounded secretary, asked people around him for help on getting Trump to focus on coronavirus. He said White House viewed him as "alarmist." But Trump aides say he only tried to reassure POTUS & they were misled by Chinese. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/04/04/coronavirus-government-dysfunction/?arc404=true
