Science Talk

Covid-19, science and politics

Pandemic has shown the nation suffers when leaders put politics above science

Cars lined up at a Covid-19 drive-through testing site in Los Angeles, California, in July. The United States has recorded over a quarter of a million deaths from the disease amid the pandemic.
Cars lined up at a Covid-19 drive-through testing site in Los Angeles, California, in July. The United States has recorded over a quarter of a million deaths from the disease amid the pandemic. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, US President Donald Trump dismissed the seriousness of the problem, contradicted his own medical advisers, ridiculed public health officials and projected conflicting messages.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, US President Donald Trump dismissed the seriousness of the problem, contradicted his own medical advisers, ridiculed public health officials and projected conflicting messages. PHOTO: REUTERS
Cars lined up at a Covid-19 drive-through testing site in Los Angeles, California, in July. The United States has recorded over a quarter of a million deaths from the disease amid the pandemic.
Dr Edison Liu

In early January, Mr Donald Trump was in a good place.

With the economy booming, he was confident of winning the upcoming United States presidential election.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 23, 2020, with the headline Covid-19, science and politics . Subscribe