President Donald Trump said Friday morning that he had just spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping and was pleased with the progress China is making in controlling the coronavirus that has so far killed 600 and infected at least 31,000 worldwide.
On Twitter, Trump declared that he was confident Xi “will be successful” in stopping the coronoavirus outbreak:
Oddly, the president also suggested that as “the weather starts to warm,” the coronavirus will become weaker, but provided no factual evidence to support such a specious claim:
Just had a long and very good conversation by phone with President Xi of China. He is strong, sharp and powerfully focused on leading the counterattack on the Coronavirus. He feels they are doing very well, even building hospitals in a matter of only days. Nothing is easy, but…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2020
….he will be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm & the virus hopefully becomes weaker, and then gone. Great discipline is taking place in China, as President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. We are working closely with China to help!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2020
Where in the world Trump got the idea that warming weather will help prevent the spread of a global pandemic is unknown, but White House reporter Andrew Feinberg noted that he had never heard such a thing:
He is talking about Xi like many of his supporters talk about him.
Also, I’m not a doctor but I am pretty sure viruses don’t become stronger or weaker based on weather. https://t.co/SMhKIYEO6r
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) February 7, 2020
Others also commented on the president’s postings:
Ask him why he’s fencing in his people, why are people seemly dying in pairs, and what are the true numbers of sick and dying when they’re not reporting anything that’s isn’t occurring in a hospital? pic.twitter.com/kTbVdBexz2
— EOD.Dave (@davegreenidge57) February 7, 2020
Oh! Well, as long as he ‘feels’ they are doing well! ?
Do you have any facts to back this up? Numbers, stats, experienced virologists’ statements? ?
Or is this like your alternative facts, like windmill cancer or preventing forest fires by raking leaves? ?
— Paul Jongen (@pjljongen) February 7, 2020
You got rid of the NSC coordinator for global pandemics. Pardon me if I have no confidence in your ability to manage a hot dog stand, let alone a pandemic. #CoronavirusOutbreak #coronaviruschina
— ???️?Six Demon Coup Bag???️? (@PoliNerding) February 7, 2020
I’m more afraid of YOU than any virus. #WorstPresidentEver
— President Dollhands (@PresDollHands) February 7, 2020
Featured Image Via the BBC
