This is a response to the letter to the editor that was “extremely proud of president Trump’s leadership” regarding the coronavirus crisis.

First, when Trump eliminated the NSC directorate for global health and security and bio defense in 2018, he weakened America’s response to pandemics.

Second, Trump underestimated and lied about the seriousness of the coronavirus and this led to a significant delayed response to the crisis.

Third, Trump overestimated and lied about his administration’s response to the crisis weeks later regarding available resources.

Leadership does not include, by the way, a quid pro quo fight with governors over kissing his backside for federal aid and assistance. Instead of leadership, Trump could possibly become the Rudy Gobert of his own administration.

Two concluding thoughts. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all those supermarket, gasoline station, and medical personnel for your availability during this crisis.

Lastly, there’s this partial lyric from Traffic’s “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys”:

“if you had just a minute to breathe and they granted you one final wish would you ask for something like another chance? Or something similar as this? Don’t worry too much it’ll happen to you as sure as your sorrows are joys.”

Tragically, Trump’s leadership style does not include the expression of heartbreak and sadness that a suffocating death has brought to loved ones and their families amid this crisis.

DAVID M. COHEN

Coeur d’Alene