President Trump continues to fail us in so many ways that it is hard to pick his greatest failure. A few days ago I mentioned his greatest failure could be his response to COVID-19. Americans, especially old Americans, are dying because of that failure.

But that failure seems to be the result of the failure that bothers me most. That is his failure to base his policies on science. Despite President Trump’s bluster at a meeting with CDC scientists about his understanding and natural ability, I don’t think the President really understands science or perhaps he just choses to ignore it for his own reasons. Anyway this is what he said:

I like this stuff. I really get it. People are surprised that I understand it. Every one of these doctors said, “How do you know so much about this?” Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for President.

If you’d like to see a White House transcript of the meeting it is here. News article are here and here.

Public health officials advise the population on how to save lives with simple measures such as wearing masks and social distancing. As the virus surges, President Trump defies and attacks these officials while holding large rallies which have been called super-spreader events for COVID-19 while telling lies about COVID and many other things.

President Trump ignores the science on wearing masks and social distancing. He continually lies and misinforms Americans on the COVID-19 pandemic. This has cost quite a few lives. He ignores science in other areas and in many cases this also cost lives.

Listen to science. It saves lives.