The President of the United States is a contagion, contaminating all that he touches. He makes the truth sickly and weak. He lies with abandon. He corrupts good people. He undermines important institutions that ensure the health of a democracy. He dispenses with and mistrusts evidence, careful thinking and good faith. He is virulent in that these practices are infectious. Where this man leads, then so weaker women and men follow.

There is no vaccine, but there is a cure.

Don’t think that his words are unimportant or that what he does couldn’t possible occur here.

Be vigilant. Remind yourselves and others that democracy and careful government are not a constant throughout history and that if we want to govern ourselves as a people we have make an effort.

Speaking after a tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 6 March 2020 President Trump 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.

Blackwhite.