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Many countries around the world are struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. The UK had the fifth highest amount of active COVID-19 cases (152,840) and total deaths (21,678) as of April 26.

My country, Canada, was 13th highest with respect to active COVID-19 cases (46,644) and 12th highest for total deaths (2,859). These horrific numbers in our two nations continue to climb

daily. Still, they both pale in comparison to what the US is facing. America has the largest number of active Covid-19 cases with 987,160. That’s nearly five times higher than Spain, which

had the world’s second-highest tally at 226,629. Meanwhile, America had recorded 58,964 total deaths, which is more than double than Italy’s gruesome tally (27,359). Some US states have

suffered more than others. New York has had the worst outbreak — 293,991 active cases, and 22,275 total deaths — by a country mile. Only three states (New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts)

are above the 50,000 threshold for active cases, and ten states have more than 1,000 recorded deaths. The northern states have struggled with Covid-19, whereas the southern and western

states have more successfully contained the spread of this deadly virus. It’s a similar scenario to what some Asian, European and Middle Eastern countries have already experienced, and what

Africa will soon face. But the US numbers are escalating at a faster rate, the curve hasn’t flattened, and the political direction has been all over the map. Trump wants to start re-opening

the US economy as quickly as possible. That’s understandable on several fronts. It’s the world’s largest economy with a GDP of $20.5 trillion. American businesses, stocks, commodities, real

estate prices and other financial intangibles directly affect the success and failure of international markets. This President faces re-election in six months and realises that an extended

economic lockdown could lead to voter disenchantment and political defeat. Trump originally had this decision-making power, but ultimately decided to leave it up to the state governors to

end their respective lockdowns. This was logical on the one hand, since the governors understand their local economies better than the White House, and it gives this President significant

cover if things don’t go according to plan on a state-by-state basis. The Republican Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, started the process by re-opening state parks on April 19 (although

visitors must wear face masks and observe social distancing) and allowing retail outlets to offer curbside pickup on April 24. Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp went much further and

announced that restaurants, movie theatres and businesses including hair salons and gyms could re-open on April 27. Trump disagreed “very strongly” with the latter strategy, and felt it was

being done “too soon.” There has also been mixed messaging coming from the White House. The _Washington Post_ noted on March 31 that the President’s attitude “has evolved from casual

dismissal to reluctant acknowledgment to bellicose mobilization.” Trump, like many other world leaders, didn’t realise how serious the spread of the coronavirus would be. Some of his early

remarks were ill-advised, including a CNBC interview back in January, in which he said, “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control.

It’s going to be just fine.” He continued to call the coronavirus a “flu” into late March, suggested a vaccine could come on the market in a “matter of months,” and promoted chloroquine

(used to treat malaria) and hydroxychloroquine (used to treat lupus and arthritis) as treatment options — even though most doctors reject this claim. Trump’s controversial statement about

disinfectants like Clorox being “injected” to help clean out the coronavirus also received a great deal of media attention. Was the President being serious? His critics certainly thought so,

and many were furious he had either suggested or proposed something so dangerous. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, quickly pushed back and said it was part

of a “dialogue” with Department of Homeland Security scientists about a new MIT study that “showed for the first time is that sunlight can impact that aerosolization outside.” Trump

dismissed their concerns during a signing of the Paycheck Protection Program. He told the media, “I was asking the question sarcastically to reporters like you, just to see what would

happen. I was asking a very sarcastic question to the reporters in the room about disinfectant on the inside. But it does kill it, and it would kill it on the hands, and that would make

things much better. That was done in the form of a sarcastic question to the reporters.” These are the same reporters who have regularly played up the differences between Trump’s messaging

and that of Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The two men acknowledge that some disagreements have emerged during their meetings, but any

suggestion the President is fed up or wants to fire the experienced Fauci hasn’t come to fruition. Another issue has been anti-lockdown protests in more than a dozen US states like Michigan,

Ohio, Virginia and Arizona. The frustration of participants is based on acknowledged reductions in personal freedom and liberty, financial hardship, failed businesses, lost jobs and so on.

Trump has also been supportive, tweeting “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!”, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” and “LIBERATE VIRGINIA! and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!” on April 17. Many

protesters don’t seem to fully grasp the point that short-term economic lockdowns, staying at home and social distancing has helped control the spread of the coronavirus. This will help

shorten the current lockdown and decrease the likelihood of a second wave of infections, which would crush their personal freedom and economic fortunes even more. If things don’t change in a

hurry, it could take the US much longer than other nations to regain some sense of normalcy. Based on the size, scope and importance of this country to the overall success of the free

market economy, that’s both unfortunate and wholly undesirable.