Incompetence Is Expensive

When there’s a conflict between partisan beliefs and plain evidence, it’s the beliefs that win. The power of emotion over reason isn’t a bug in our human operating systems, it’s a feature. — Marty Kaplan

The greater the potential for adverse outcomes from decisions made and actions pursued, the greater the responsibility to deliberate carefully and with a full set of resources at the ready. That’s fundamental and (should be) obvious. Quick, convenient, and easy decisions are certainly quick, convenient, and easy to produce. Usually, that’s the extent of their benefits when applied to matters of consequence. That’s not much of an advantage or benefit when the consequences of making poor decisions are so obviously detrimental to so many and in so many ways as COVID-19 promises.

Given this pandemic, what can we expect by way of leadership at a time when it has rarely been so critical a need? Our so-called leader remains heavily invested both in denying any reality which he thinks adversely reflects upon him [there’s a lot to choose from!] and creating a false reality to make himself look good no matter what the cost to others. That this is not instantly obvious to everyone aware of the coronavirus is both puzzling and frightening.

On what basis can we reasonably expect continued divisiveness and animosity to help us though all of this? Is there a liberal/progressive coronavirus to be dealt with and a conservative one with its own rules and suggested treatments? Facts matter. Truth matters.