'Presidents Forge Their Legacies in Crises' diff viewer (2/3)

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Presidents Forge Their Legacies in Crises	Presidents Forge Their Legacies in Crises
2020-06-01 23:16:44 UTC	2020-06-03 05:10:47 UTC (1 day later)
WASHINGTON — Riding Air Force One with President Trump back to the nation’s capital on Monday afternoon felt eerily like that grim day in 2005 when President George W. Bush was flying to the White House to confront the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina.	WASHINGTON — Riding Air Force One with President Trump back to the nation’s capital on Monday afternoon felt eerily like that grim day in 2005 when President George W. Bush was flying to the White House to confront the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina.
As the legendary blue-and-white Boeing 747 soared above the clouds, the televisions on board were tuned to wall-to-wall news coverage of a country in crisis below. The ravages of the coronavirus and the market meltdown this week, like the ravages of that storm 15 years ago, played out on the screens for hours — urgently, relentlessly, inexorably, inescapably.	As the legendary blue-and-white Boeing 747 soared above the clouds, the televisions on board were tuned to wall-to-wall news coverage of a country in crisis below. The ravages of the coronavirus and the market meltdown this week, like the ravages of that storm 15 years ago, played out on the screens for hours — urgently, relentlessly, inexorably, inescapably.
Then and now, there was a palpable sense of a besieged leader confronting a whole new reality, that the world had suddenly changed and so had his presidency. Seen fairly or not as out of touch so high in the sky, Mr. Trump like Mr. Bush before him landed and headed to the White House to take on a challenge he had not fully recognized at first. In each case, the president then headed to the cameras to reassure a country that was not at all convinced.	Then and now, there was a palpable sense of a besieged leader confronting a whole new reality, that the world had suddenly changed and so had his presidency. Seen fairly or not as out of touch so high in the sky, Mr. Trump like Mr. Bush before him landed and headed to the White House to take on a challenge he had not fully recognized at first. In each case, the president then headed to the cameras to reassure a country that was not at all convinced.
In Mr. Trump’s case, he addressed the health situation primarily in economic terms, clearly rattled by the largest market drop in more than a decade, as he vowed measures like a payroll tax cut and aid for low-wage workers sidelined because of the virus. “We have a great economy, we have a very strong economy, but this came — this blindsided the world,” he said, including, he acknowledged, himself. “And I think we’ve handled it very, very well.”	In Mr. Trump’s case, he addressed the health situation primarily in economic terms, clearly rattled by the largest market drop in more than a decade, as he vowed measures like a payroll tax cut and aid for low-wage workers sidelined because of the virus. “We have a great economy, we have a very strong economy, but this came — this blindsided the world,” he said, including, he acknowledged, himself. “And I think we’ve handled it very, very well.”
The judgments about how well he has handled it have so far fallen largely along the same lines of division about his presidency writ large. In a Quinnipiac College poll, 43 percent approved of how Mr. Trump has managed the coronavirus outbreak while 49 percent disapproved, roughly paralleling his overall approval and disapproval ratings over the past three years.	The judgments about how well he has handled it have so far fallen largely along the same lines of division about his presidency writ large. In a Quinnipiac College poll, 43 percent approved of how Mr. Trump has managed the coronavirus outbreak while 49 percent disapproved, roughly paralleling his overall approval and disapproval ratings over the past three years.
But crises are moments when presidents can rise above prior troubles or sink deeper into them, as Mr. Bush discovered. A onetime political colossus with a 90 percent approval rating built on his response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Mr. Bush’s presidency was marred by Katrina, which became a modern metaphor for a mishandled crisis.	But crises are moments when presidents can rise above prior troubles or sink deeper into them, as Mr. Bush discovered. A onetime political colossus with a 90 percent approval rating built on his response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Mr. Bush’s presidency was marred by Katrina, which became a modern metaphor for a mishandled crisis.
Whether Mr. Trump’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak becomes remembered the same way or not, it is too early to say, and they are very different challenges. But the history of presidents grappling with crises is replete with lessons that sometimes go unlearned and examples that go unheeded.	Whether Mr. Trump’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak becomes remembered the same way or not, it is too early to say, and they are very different challenges. But the history of presidents grappling with crises is replete with lessons that sometimes go unlearned and examples that go unheeded.
“These are the moments when you’re looking for leadership,” said Doris Kearns Goodwin, the eminent presidential biographer who titled her latest book just that, “Leadership: In Turbulent Times.” Quoting President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speechwriter, she added: “Robert Sherwood said something like most of the time a president can just be that portrait in a box. But then when something occurs, he has to come out of that box and connect to the people.”	“These are the moments when you’re looking for leadership,” said Doris Kearns Goodwin, the eminent presidential biographer who titled her latest book just that, “Leadership: In Turbulent Times.” Quoting President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speechwriter, she added: “Robert Sherwood said something like most of the time a president can just be that portrait in a box. But then when something occurs, he has to come out of that box and connect to the people.”
The roster of presidents who could not conquer crisis when it arrived is long and inglorious — James Buchanan, who failed to stop the South from seceding; Grover Cleveland, who failed to stem the Panic of 1893; Herbert Hoover, who failed to overcome the Great Depression; Jimmy Carter, who failed to end the Iranian hostage standoff until his last minutes in office.	The roster of presidents who could not conquer crisis when it arrived is long and inglorious — James Buchanan, who failed to stop the South from seceding; Grover Cleveland, who failed to stem the Panic of 1893; Herbert Hoover, who failed to overcome the Great Depression; Jimmy Carter, who failed to end the Iranian hostage standoff until his last minutes in office.
But there are others who rose to the occasion, probably none more than Abraham Lincoln, who found his country falling apart when he took the oath and responded with calm determination and a willingness to work with rivals in a common cause. Roosevelt took office at the depths of the Depression and likewise projected confidence and took decisive action while still leveling with the American people about the scope of the challenge.	But there are others who rose to the occasion, probably none more than Abraham Lincoln, who found his country falling apart when he took the oath and responded with calm determination and a willingness to work with rivals in a common cause. Roosevelt took office at the depths of the Depression and likewise projected confidence and took decisive action while still leveling with the American people about the scope of the challenge.
While Mr. Trump has tried to reassure the public, saying that the coronavirus was “under control” and would “go away,” he has not sounded to many ears as if he were fully acknowledging the scope of the problem.	While Mr. Trump has tried to reassure the public, saying that the coronavirus was “under control” and would “go away,” he has not sounded to many ears as if he were fully acknowledging the scope of the problem.
Ms. Goodwin said Roosevelt demonstrated the way to balance messages in his inaugural address in 1933. While the speech is often remembered for his line that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” he also made a point of telling Americans that “only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.”	Ms. Goodwin said Roosevelt demonstrated the way to balance messages in his inaugural address in 1933. While the speech is often remembered for his line that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” he also made a point of telling Americans that “only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.”
“Instinctively, he is trying to stem the panic,” Ms. Goodwin said. “But what has to be connected to that is the recognition of the problem.”	“Instinctively, he is trying to stem the panic,” Ms. Goodwin said. “But what has to be connected to that is the recognition of the problem.”
When World War II threatened, Roosevelt invited Republicans into his cabinet to foster national unity. As the virus spread over the weekend, Mr. Trump declared that he would skip the annual bipartisan St. Patrick’s Day luncheon out of disdain for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who led his impeachment and ripped up his State of the Union address.	When World War II threatened, Roosevelt invited Republicans into his cabinet to foster national unity. As the virus spread over the weekend, Mr. Trump declared that he would skip the annual bipartisan St. Patrick’s Day luncheon out of disdain for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who led his impeachment and ripped up his State of the Union address.
Other presidents effectively took on dire if less daunting crises. Theodore Roosevelt marshaled the full resources of the government, including the Army and Navy, after the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Lyndon B. Johnson rushed to New Orleans immediately after Hurricane Betsy, visited a darkened shelter, illuminated his face with a flashlight and called out: “I am your president. I am here to make sure you have the help you need.”	Other presidents effectively took on dire if less daunting crises. Theodore Roosevelt marshaled the full resources of the government, including the Army and Navy, after the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Lyndon B. Johnson rushed to New Orleans immediately after Hurricane Betsy, visited a darkened shelter, illuminated his face with a flashlight and called out: “I am your president. I am here to make sure you have the help you need.”
When the stock market plunged in 1987 by more than 22 percent on what became known as Black Monday, still the largest single-day drop in history, Ronald Reagan’s team scrambled to head off a new depression. Howard H. Baker Jr., the White House chief of staff, put in a desperate call to Alan Greenspan, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, who picked up the phone to hear only silence and then a soft, “Help!”	When the stock market plunged in 1987 by more than 22 percent on what became known as Black Monday, still the largest single-day drop in history, Ronald Reagan’s team scrambled to head off a new depression. Howard H. Baker Jr., the White House chief of staff, put in a desperate call to Alan Greenspan, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, who picked up the phone to hear only silence and then a soft, “Help!”
He did. Reagan pledged to work with Congress to tackle the federal deficit while Mr. Greenspan pumped more money into the system and the New York Stock Exchange imposed new limits on automated trading, all of which reassured the markets. The fact that virtually no one remembers Black Monday today is a sign of the success of the response.	He did. Reagan pledged to work with Congress to tackle the federal deficit while Mr. Greenspan pumped more money into the system and the New York Stock Exchange imposed new limits on automated trading, all of which reassured the markets. The fact that virtually no one remembers Black Monday today is a sign of the success of the response.
“You have to have a president who’s competent, who has confidence in government and who has the skills to make it work,” said Max J. Skidmore, the author of “Presidents, Pandemics and Politics.”	“You have to have a president who’s competent, who has confidence in government and who has the skills to make it work,” said Max J. Skidmore, the author of “Presidents, Pandemics and Politics.”
Pandemics, however, are a unique challenge to presidents, as Mr. Trump has discovered, where pure political muscle can go only so far. Mr. Trump too has suggested stimulus to reassure the markets and the Federal Reserve has cut rates. But more money can only do so much to reassure a public worried about shaking hands.	Pandemics, however, are a unique challenge to presidents, as Mr. Trump has discovered, where pure political muscle can go only so far. Mr. Trump too has suggested stimulus to reassure the markets and the Federal Reserve has cut rates. But more money can only do so much to reassure a public worried about shaking hands.
The most intriguing analog to Mr. Trump’s coronavirus challenge could be Woodrow Wilson, who was in charge when the Spanish flu pandemic killed tens of millions of people around the world from 1918 to 1920. While Mr. Trump’s critics have complained that he has not taken the crisis seriously enough, Wilson was far more detached. Consumed with mobilizing the American army during World War I, he made no public effort to lead the country through the outbreak.	The most intriguing analog to Mr. Trump’s coronavirus challenge could be Woodrow Wilson, who was in charge when the Spanish flu pandemic killed tens of millions of people around the world from 1918 to 1920. While Mr. Trump’s critics have complained that he has not taken the crisis seriously enough, Wilson was far more detached. Consumed with mobilizing the American army during World War I, he made no public effort to lead the country through the outbreak.
~~Updated June 1, 2020~~	Updated June 2, 2020
	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.	More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
“The lesson learned is not to do what Wilson did. Wilson had one focus, and that was the war,” said John M. Barry, the author of “The Great Influenza,” the definitive history of the pandemic. “Wilson never issued a statement of any kind on the outbreak. He never said a word publicly.”	“The lesson learned is not to do what Wilson did. Wilson had one focus, and that was the war,” said John M. Barry, the author of “The Great Influenza,” the definitive history of the pandemic. “Wilson never issued a statement of any kind on the outbreak. He never said a word publicly.”
A. Scott Berg, a Wilson biographer, said the country was to some extent lulled into a false sense of security because the first wave of the pandemic was not that fatal. By the time the second wave hit, the president was obsessed with training soldiers and shipping them to France. “That was our primary mission and our secondary mission and our tertiary mission,” Mr. Berg said. “Everything else came after that.”	A. Scott Berg, a Wilson biographer, said the country was to some extent lulled into a false sense of security because the first wave of the pandemic was not that fatal. By the time the second wave hit, the president was obsessed with training soldiers and shipping them to France. “That was our primary mission and our secondary mission and our tertiary mission,” Mr. Berg said. “Everything else came after that.”
Other presidents have sought to learn the lessons from Wilson’s experience. When an American died in early 1976 from what some feared was a new strain of the Spanish flu, Gerald R. Ford responded aggressively, pushing Congress to authorize a vast immunization program and vowing to vaccinate every man, woman and child in the country.	Other presidents have sought to learn the lessons from Wilson’s experience. When an American died in early 1976 from what some feared was a new strain of the Spanish flu, Gerald R. Ford responded aggressively, pushing Congress to authorize a vast immunization program and vowing to vaccinate every man, woman and child in the country.
Ultimately, the government immunized about 45 million Americans, about a quarter of the population at the time, before it became clear it was not a new strain of the flu and the whole expensive effort had been unnecessary. About 450 cases of the paralyzing Guillain-Barré syndrome were attributed to the vaccine. Mr. Ford was pilloried.	Ultimately, the government immunized about 45 million Americans, about a quarter of the population at the time, before it became clear it was not a new strain of the flu and the whole expensive effort had been unnecessary. About 450 cases of the paralyzing Guillain-Barré syndrome were attributed to the vaccine. Mr. Ford was pilloried.