One ‘pandemic’ began a long time ago

America has been in the midst of a nearly four decades long silent pandemic, a pandemic directly responsible for the dire coronavirus predicament we find ourselves in today.

I am referring to the pernicious epidemic of mass ignorance, the type of willful ignorances which causes supposedly educated individuals to disregard established science, the learned opinions of experienced diplomats and world class experts on a myriad of existential topics in favor of political expediency and threeword soundbites.

Today, almost half of our populace does not understand the difference between indisputable facts and fantasy, aka alternate facts. They are unable to discern truth from lies let alone distinguish honest politicians from unscrupulous charlatans and treasonous demagogues.

Case in point, Trump, a narcissistic psychopath, cancelled the pandemic preparedness unit, when the virus struck he wasted three valuable months lying to the nation while the pestilence overpowered the world.

Trump was aided in his deceptions by dubious oronavirus experts with phony medical credentials spreading disinformation on Fox et al. and ignorant, vulnerable fools bought into the con.

That there are people still supporting Trump is proof of all I said above.

It is incumbent upon a selfrespecting media to cull out purveyors of disinformation which results in grave public harm, they are engaging in the First Amendment’s version of yelling fire in a crowded theater. Permanent revocation of those broadcasters’ licenses is a must.

In closing, COVID-19 cares not about party affiliations but it is eternally grateful to Trump.

— Jorge Smirnoff, Chico