If ever there was a cause to unite an America divided by bitter tribal politics, it should be the Coronavirus outbreak. Essentially every single citizen of the U.S. is touched by it and faces the same fight. Even if they must stand several feet apart, they could still offer an online olive branch to one another in the spirit of kinship.
The enemy is faceless and ruthless — willing to sicken and kill Democrats or Republicans, Progressives or Conservatives. A crisis that threatens to tear the country apart also offers the opportunity of pulling it together if partisans could put their prejudices aside and share common ground and a unified goal.
BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES - MARCH 18, 2020: A group of anti-war protesters gather for their weekly ... [+]
Sadly, even a cursory study of social media reveals there’s little chance of such a reunification. In fact, many true believers to whatever political cult they adhere to look to use the COVID-19 tragedy solely to promote their own views and attack their opposition.
Of course, President Trump stands at the epicenter of the ongoing political haranguing. His critics took the rage and contempt they held for the controversial Commander in Chief pre-virus and carried it with them into their social distancing.
During the most recent Trump press conference and Coronavirus update, the Twitter world erupted again:
@fred_guttenberg – This narcissistic lunatic is suggesting doctors, nurses, and first responders are stealing masks. He should walk into one of these hospitals, and see for himself what is happening. Show up tomorrow. These hospitals are war zones being staffed by heroes. F—k you!!!
@RSmith1935 – Everything Trump doesn't like he calls fake news. Trump is a nasty person. Get the lying bully off already!!!!!!
President Donald Trump stands in the middle of the ongoing partisan debate over American response to ... [+]
Those Americans still supporting Trump assign the attacks on his administration and its handling of the virus situation to media bias and so-called Trump Derangement Syndrome:
@A1onMyBiscuits (Replying to @jbhdg11 @w_terrence) – Also, look at the people you're listening to. First the MSM was all about why haven't you closed anything to Trump. Then after he shut flights from China down, the MSM called him racist. So, which is it?
@marcorubio – Some in our media can’t contain their glee & delight in reporting that the U.S. has more #CoronaVirus cases than #China Beyond being grotesque, its bad journalism We have NO IDEA how many cases China really has but without any doubt its significantly more than why they admit to
In the brief time it took to highlight these simple examples, all four quotes were well buried under the continued avalanche of charges and countercharges that accomplish little beyond venting a mix of ongoing, party-line outrage and increased tensions due to the ongoing national quarantine.
It’s all enough for one Twitter user to throw up her virtual hands:
@Susan94404143 – I can hardly believe, with everything we are going through, that Trump and the media cannot just grow up and behave like adults. It's absurd on all sides.
In the midst of this, COVID-19 spreads eagerly, free of the differences that divide its victims and happy that partisan thinkers ignore that most practical of maxims: “Fix the problem, not the blame.”
