LETTER: Please stop talking

I have a plea to Donald Trump: Just. Stop. Talking.

Your ill-prepared and haphazard responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have done nothing but sow misinformation and confusion.

You initially downplayed the virus and even made claims of a hoax, then later said you knew all along it was a pandemic.

You claimed testing was available for anyone who wanted it, when such tests, even now, were not readily available.

You held a disastrous briefing where you presented actions based on Facebook suggestions from a cousin of Jared Kushner.

You claimed a website was available for diagnosis, when such a site was just in limited testing.

You hawked chloroquine as a possible treatment, when your own Dr. Fauci said this was based only on anecdotal evidence.

When asked to provide reassurance to the American public, you instead lashed out at the reporter and called it a “nasty” question.

You call yourself a wartime president, yet you delayed the use of the Defense Production Act to order the increased production of personal protective equipment.

Your task force briefings are nothing more than the chance for you and others to pat you on the back and say how good a job you are doing, not what is being done for the American public.

You like to pose as a leader, yet there is no leadership in the words you speak or the actions you (do not) take.

Please, step aside and leave this up to the experts and the adults.

David Lasorsa

Port Angeles