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Original poster

to think that there a reason why Trump, Johnson and Bolsanaro get Covid but leaders like Merkel and Ardern haven't?

121 replies

chomalungma · 02/10/2020 18:55

World leaders
Prime Ministers, Chancellors, Presidents.
Busy schedules.
Meeting lots of people.

The chances of a world leader getting Covid-19 is reasonable. Given it's been 6 months now.

But I wonder if Johnson, Trump and Bolsanaro possibly have something in common when it comes to attitudes to Covid-19 that Merkel and Ardern (to randomly pick 2 world leaders) don't have?

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Original poster
chomalungma · 02/10/2020 18:56

I mean 'got' Covid.

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bettsbattenburg · 02/10/2020 18:56

Look at how New Zealand have managed it and there is your answer. They didn't fuck it up.

mbosnz · 02/10/2020 18:58

New Zealand has had its moments where things haven't gone their way, and mistakes have been made. I think the main thing though, is that they were focussed on sorting shit out, rather than blustering it out.

DivGirl · 02/10/2020 18:58

I don't think it would be reasonable to blame anyone for getting a virus. It says nothing about them as people and more about the fact that they still have to go to work every day.

profpoopsnagle · 02/10/2020 18:59

Perhaps they have 'Man Covid'?

Original poster
chomalungma · 02/10/2020 19:01

@DivGirl

I don't think it would be reasonable to blame anyone for getting a virus. It says nothing about them as people and more about the fact that they still have to go to work every day.
You don't think their general attitudes towards say handshaking, mask wearing etc would increase their chances?
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OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer · 02/10/2020 19:01

It likes imbecile right wing populists. Surprised Putin and Modi haven't succumbed yet.

But basically, the way in which the likes of Trump, Johnson and Bolsonaro manage their own personal risk is similar to the attitudes they took for their countries as a whole. They didn't take it seriously because they're incompetent. So Johnson was still failing to SD while there was clearly plenty of it at Westminster in March, for example.

There's a reason the countries who've done worst out of this so far have disproportionately been ones led by said right-wing populist, empty slogans, shitforbrains types. Notwithstanding that obviously I don't trust either Iran or China to have told the truth about their figures, look at the numbers. The US, UK, Russia, Brazil and India have all come out of this very badly. Their leaders bear striking similarities to one another.

bettsbattenburg · 02/10/2020 19:02

@mbosnz

New Zealand has had its moments where things haven't gone their way, and mistakes have been made. I think the main thing though, is that they were focussed on sorting shit out, rather than blustering it out.
Yes, there were some errors but overall it's miles better than the UK.
ChaChaCha2012 · 02/10/2020 19:02

I don't think it would be reasonable to blame anyone for getting a virus. It says nothing about them as people and more about the fact that they still have to go to work every day.

Johnson is happy to blame normal people for catching it! Let's not forget that he caught it shortly after claiming to shake hands with coronavirus patients, and telling us to 'take it on the chin'.

mbosnz · 02/10/2020 19:04

I think it's reasonable to think that it's more likely than not that a person will get a virus in the middle of a bloody pandemic if they won't take the most basic precautions to avoid doing so, and encourage their groupies, entourage and family to do the same.

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AlternativePerspective · 02/10/2020 19:19

You can’t possibly compare New Zealand to any of the European countries.

For one, New Zealand has a population of just 5 million people and is spread out. There isn’t a huge amount of movement to and from, so closing the borders was easy compared to any of the European countries.

And even New Zealand didn’t manage to contain the virus, as even though they had a period of no infections, once four people were infected the virus took hold again and they’re now still recording daily infections.

And the other thing which people are failing to mention is the fact that in order to contain the virus NZ have totally decimated their tourist industry which is their main stay, and a lot of New Zealander’s aren’t praising their government for that in the way that those from other countries are.

mbosnz · 02/10/2020 19:23

No, NZ has put its tourism industry on hold, is about to open it up to a small Aus/NZ bubble, and is doing pretty well, thanks. Obviously, dyed in the wool Nats (Kiwi version of the Torys), aren't praising Labour and Ardern to the skies, unsurprising given it's an election year.

We also do pretty well with farming.

However, this thread was about why some nation's leaders seemed almost pre-destined to catch corona, and others seem to avoid it.

I wonder if it comes down to a couple of things. Common sense, and humility.

Two things no populist leader ever seems to have.

Defenbaker · 02/10/2020 19:23

Yes, they're all seem over confident, and are used to getting their way in life, so perhaps it didn't to occur to them that they would succumb to the virus, like mere mortals. That said, even if they took every precaution it would be hard for any world leader to avoid catching the virus, due to the sheer amount of interaction with other people.

mbosnz · 02/10/2020 19:27

Well, I would have thought that not going roundly shaking the hands of Corona virus patients would have been a good way to avoid being more likely to get the virus.

Not going on crowded airplanes with people who you've encouraged to minimise and deny the virus without any sort of protection might be a bit of a goer also. . .

Leaannb · 02/10/2020 19:31

@mbosnz

Well, I would have thought that not going roundly shaking the hands of Corona virus patients would have been a good way to avoid being more likely to get the virus.

Not going on crowded airplanes with people who you've encouraged to minimise and deny the virus without any sort of protection might be a bit of a goer also. . .

Its false bravado to show they are not afraid. Its a misguided and old fashioned way of leadership. If you show no fear then others will follow you. Its no different when leaders go into a war zone
Original poster
chomalungma · 02/10/2020 19:36

You can’t possibly compare New Zealand to any of the European countries

I am not comparing New Zealand.

I am looking at the leaders who have contracted Covid-19 and those who haven't - and trying to see if there are things in common?

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mbosnz · 02/10/2020 19:36

Leaannb, it's ironic, given the proven cowardice of Trump, the lengths gone to, to avoid active service, for him to 'lead from the front'.

And I'm trying to imagine Johnson charging from the front, into the valley of death. . .

Original poster
chomalungma · 02/10/2020 19:37

That said, even if they took every precaution it would be hard for any world leader to avoid catching the virus, due to the sheer amount of interaction with other people

That's true...even Prince Charles got it and I would imagine he was quite careful.

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ddl1 · 02/10/2020 19:41

Yes: females are somewhat less vulnerable than males, and Merkel and Ardern are probably generally more careful than the three that you mentioned.

Original poster
chomalungma · 02/10/2020 19:41

And I'm trying to imagine Johnson charging from the front, into the valley of death

But there's canons there.
No, it will be fine
Our reasonable case scenario tells us that we'll all be killed.
Project Fear
Fake news

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Original poster
chomalungma · 02/10/2020 19:42

@ddl1

Yes: females are somewhat less vulnerable than males, and Merkel and Ardern are probably generally more careful than the three that you mentioned.
I wonder how the Queen has been finding things?

I guess all her usual visits have been cancelled. Maybe watching daytime TV? (now that's another whole new thread)

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ddl1 · 02/10/2020 19:43

It likes imbecile right wing populists. Surprised Putin and Modi haven't succumbed yet.

Putin seems to be quite careful about his own health, even if a psychopath and nutter in most respects.

ddl1 · 02/10/2020 19:46

I wonder how the Queen has been finding things?

Probably very boring, as she and Philip are probably largely self-isolating due to being in their 90s. It's of course easier to self-isolate in a palace than a small flat; but still it must be frustrating for people who've always lived in the public eye.

Leaannb · 02/10/2020 19:47

@mbosnz

Leaannb, it's ironic, given the proven cowardice of Trump, the lengths gone to, to avoid active service, for him to 'lead from the front'.

And I'm trying to imagine Johnson charging from the front, into the valley of death. . .

TBF...I did say it was false bravado