President Trump Shows Real Leadership in Coronavirus Response

President Donald Trump’s rough and tumble experience in the business world of Manhattan’s real estate market came into full view in the recent launch of a series of federal actions to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Shortly after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus to be a global pandemic, President Trump began a threefold engagement in the battle against the outbreak. He unveiled an innovative plan that brought in the private sector in the form of some of the nation’s largest companies to work alongside government to get our country back on a healthy footing.

To allow for the speedy production of coronavirus tests, the Trump administration cut out the red tape and enlisted companies with private labs to effectuate the tests.

Also brought in were leaders of some of the country’s most significant enterprises in order to initiate a public-private plan that could address the nation’s concerns and mitigate the mainstream media-prompted anxiety that had heightened over the virus.

President Trump and his staffers engaged in a series of meetings with business leaders from various relevant industries. Multiple agreements with major firms were successfully negotiated in order to provide, among other crucial protocol, coronavirus testing for Americans.

As a beneficial result of negotiated deals, Target and Walmart will be contributing parking lot space for drive-through testing facilities. Google, via a subsidiary, will work on the construction of a website, which will enable individuals to determine whether a test is needed, and if so, directions to the nearest testing location will be provided.

Other companies joining in with the pro-active efforts include Swiss drugmaker Roche, which received a fast track FDA approval to produce a new coronavirus test. Thermo Fisher will also provide tests. LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics offered their labs for testing purposes. And LHC Group, a company that provides home health services, will provide testing to the homebound.

The facilitation of government working together in conjunction with private enterprise is President Trump’s forte. Reassuring for the nation is the fact that the partnership concept has a demonstrated track record. In times of war, private industry proved to be indispensable in helping to defend the country. No doubt the business sector will once again play a vital role.

President Trump’s acumen in the art of the deal has additionally come to the fore as he has overseen negotiations for a compromise bill, legislation that was passed by the House and is likely to be expeditiously passed by the Senate and signed into law.

The legislation adds significant power to the nation’s efforts to fight the coronavirus as well as provide additional protections with regard to the economy. Paid sick leave, no-cost coronavirus testing, enhanced unemployment insurance, and the provision of additional Medicaid payments in the event of a rise in hospital patients are part of a comprehensive plan.

Passage of the bill in the House came to fruition only after marathon negotiating sessions had materialized. The White House and the GOP were attentive to the necessity of maintaining a cooperative attitude so that a swift agreement could be reached. For example, the inclusion of paid sick leave was secured via the negotiated item of granting employers offsetting tax credits in order to ease the burdens of small business owners.

“People really pulled together. Nice to see!” President Trump tweeted.

It appears likely that the Senate will soon pass the bill.

Excluded from the measure is President Trump’s desired provision of granting a payroll tax cut for working people. The White House and Republican leadership have likely deferred the payroll tax cut for an inevitable future bill.

The third prong of the administration’s strategy involves an additional $50 billion to be made available via President Trump’s State of Emergency declaration.

All in all, the president’s expert leadership should allow the country to recover in the most salutary of ways as together we shake off negativity and live in the light.