Uh, Newt?

A reporter asked me today why conservatives were initially so skeptical of the threat of the coronavirus. I tried to explain that one of the dangerous consequences of having a totally dishonest left wing news media was that most Americans discounted their hysteria as phony.

— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) March 16, 2020

You might want to look behind you.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is alleging that a foreign disinformation campaign is underway aimed at spreading fear in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, three U.S. officials said Monday. @ZekeJMiller @ctlong1 https://t.co/yqeUEX5NR2

— Julie Pace (@jpaceDC) March 16, 2020

I mean, aside from the fact the POTUS is an idiot:

NEW: Trump drew an angry response from some of the govs, most notably @GovMLG of NM who said: “If one state doesn’t get the resources and materials they need, the entire nation continues to be at risk,” https://t.co/r9LnOqOY44

— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) March 16, 2020

Without directly faulting former President Obama, he said “we broke down a system that was broken, very badly broken” and vowed to create one “that I think is going to be the talk of the world.”

True, but not in the way he means it.  And, of course, this is Trump; there won't be any system at all:

“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Mr. Trump told the governors during the conference call, a recording of which was shared with The New York Times.

“We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”

The suggestion surprised some of the governors, who have been scrambling to contain the outbreak and are increasingly looking to the federal government for help with equipment, personnel and financial aid.

Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, whose state is at the center of the domestic outbreak, and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico both reacted angrily to the administration’s slow response to the crisis.

“If one state doesn’t get the resources and materials they need, the entire nation continues to be at risk,” said Ms. Lujan Grisham.

And that problem of the tests being unavailable both from, and because of, the Administration (federal agencies) persists:

It’s underappreciated that we’re shutting America down precisely because we don’t have enough tests to look for the big outbreaks.

It’s not only that we missed our chance at containment. It’s that we don’t know which cities are worst, so we have to flatten the curve everywhere. https://t.co/02RMoUD9uX

— Robinson Meyer (@yayitsrob) March 16, 2020

Hunker down and hope the roof holds and the water doesn't get too high.  As Houston learned during Harvey, these things can last a long, long time.  And just be glad Trump didn't make those remarks at a press conference today (the day is young, however).  The economy can't take much more of his public comments.