Trump Orders Stop of N95 Masks to Canada

[Frau Holle]

First I thought my favorite part of all this was watching rich white guys cry over stock market drops, then it was working from home and not being expected to go anywhere, but as this situation evolves I realize the best thing about it is definitely watching republicans talk about how necessary socialism is while having no idea they are doing so

I think it's more need based for now. Manufacturing companies are shifting to help make things, yes, but that's going to take TIME. Time many of those on the front lines don't have. The shortage is NOW, the shortage is REAL. If we hurt your feelings, sorry - not sorry. Our cases out number Canada's greatly. The need is here. When things ramp up and companies can keep up with the demand, things will change.

If you don't see the difference between helping our own first during a crisis and socialism, there's no help.

Is the difference then Republicans want to help all Americans financially during times of crisis and Democrats want to help all Americans during normal times?



I am neither, and I don’t think any party is wrong or evil , I’m not trying to be argumentative, just questioning.
I can see logic on both sides of this financial coin.

[Valentina327]

First I thought my favorite part of all this was watching rich white guys cry over stock market drops, then it was working from home and not being expected to go anywhere, but as this situation evolves I realize the best thing about it is definitely watching republicans talk about how necessary socialism is while having no idea they are doing so

If you don't see the difference between helping our own first during a crisis and socialism, there's no help.

I do see the difference. If you had read my last comment I explained. I cut and pasted the important part explaining that it was how Trump went about it:

"Canadians are generally an understanding and sympathetic people. All that Trump would have needed to say to avoid this issue is advise the Canadian Prime Minister or the Canadian people via the news even, that because things are so bad in the U.S. would Canada please understand if those 3M N95 masks remain in the hands of medical professionals in the U.S."

Oh Linda, you know you Canadians are way nicer than we are!

Hope you and yours are staying well and healthy.

[Linda_Runs]

First I thought my favorite part of all this was watching rich white guys cry over stock market drops, then it was working from home and not being expected to go anywhere, but as this situation evolves I realize the best thing about it is definitely watching republicans talk about how necessary socialism is while having no idea they are doing so

If you don't see the difference between helping our own first during a crisis and socialism, there's no help.

Is the difference then Republicans want to help all Americans financially during times of crisis and Democrats want to help all Americans during normal times?



I am neither, and I don’t think any party is wrong or evil , I’m not trying to be argumentative, just questioning.
I can see logic on both sides of this financial coin.

I completely see both sides. My issue was not taking a side, but how the American side was presented by Trump. Good job for the U.S. that Canada is not being that way about all our supplies and personnel to the U.S.

[Linda_Runs]

If you don't see the difference between helping our own first during a crisis and socialism, there's no help.

I do see the difference. If you had read my last comment I explained. I cut and pasted the important part explaining that it was how Trump went about it:

"Canadians are generally an understanding and sympathetic people. All that Trump would have needed to say to avoid this issue is advise the Canadian Prime Minister or the Canadian people via the news even, that because things are so bad in the U.S. would Canada please understand if those 3M N95 masks remain in the hands of medical professionals in the U.S."

Oh Linda, you know you Canadians are way nicer than we are!

Hope you and yours are staying well and healthy.

We are! About being nice, I think our politicians are nicer, but person to person, from my experience the people in the South of the U.S. are very polite and respectful.

[jas]

First I thought my favorite part of all this was watching rich white guys cry over stock market drops, then it was working from home and not being expected to go anywhere, but as this situation evolves I realize the best thing about it is definitely watching republicans talk about how necessary socialism is while having no idea they are doing so

If you don't see the difference between helping our own first during a crisis and socialism, there's no help.

Is the difference then Republicans want to help all Americans financially during times of crisis and Democrats want to help all Americans during normal times?



I am neither, and I don’t think any party is wrong or evil , I’m not trying to be argumentative, just questioning.
I can see logic on both sides of this financial coin.

I am independent - I don't care for either party nor how this has been handled by both parties. But the difference is that this is a time of crisis. America's needs should be put first, then help with what and where you can. You can not feed a starving child with one spoonful of food and give the rest away.
The situation we're in now is temporary. Socialism isn't.

[jas]

There is no difference. You just don’t really understand socialism. 3M is a private company. Trump has effectively seized their means of production, that is literally the definition of socialism. The fact that you approve of it because you feel the circumstances justify it doesn’t change what it is.

First I thought my favorite part of all this was watching rich white guys cry over stock market drops, then it was working from home and not being expected to go anywhere, but as this situation evolves I realize the best thing about it is definitely watching republicans talk about how necessary socialism is while having no idea they are doing so

If you don't see the difference between helping our own first during a crisis and socialism, there's no help.

I understand completely. This is a time of crisis that is temporary. Again, there is a difference that has nothing to do with approval.

[Linda_Runs]

If you don't see the difference between helping our own first during a crisis and socialism, there's no help.

Is the difference then Republicans want to help all Americans financially during times of crisis and Democrats want to help all Americans during normal times?



I am neither, and I don’t think any party is wrong or evil , I’m not trying to be argumentative, just questioning.
I can see logic on both sides of this financial coin.

I am independent - I don't care for either party nor how this has been handled by both parties. But the difference is that this is a time of crisis. America's needs should be put first, then help with what and where you can. You can not feed a starving child with one spoonful of food and give the rest away.
The situation we're in now is temporary. Socialism isn't.

What do you think about Canada helping the U.S. then?

[Della]

I could maybe understand if the US federal government were getting the desperately needed supplies to those municipalities that need them. But they're not and have said that they're reserve is a federal reserve, not a state reserve according to Kushner. I would like to have faith that this administration is distributing as needed but can't help but feeling that someone in the Trump family is profiting and that means more to them than saving lives.

We are starting to see in the US some states sending PPE to other states and I do feel that this needs to be global. Won't happen though, at least in the US. Here, states (particularly blue states) will need to continue to rely on other blue states, UN, and China for supplies while red states will rely on the "federal reserve".

All of this could have been prevented if we had prepared just a little bit. Now, here we are with almost 25% of the global cases of CV-19. Yeah us. We're number one.

"The Strategic National Stockpile's role is to supplement state and local supplies during public health emergencies.
Many states have products stockpiled, as well. The supplies, medicines, and devices for life-saving care contained in the stockpile can be used as a short-term stopgap buffer when the immediate supply of adequate amounts of these materials may not be immediately available."

https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/default.aspx

Maybe the "administration" should look at it's own Department of Health & Human Services website.

[Della]

All these valid points considered, we should ALL be able to agree on the fact that, considering that the situation in the U.S. is much more dire than in Canada, Trump could have played his role better in advising Canada.

Canadians are generally an understanding and sympathetic people. All that Trump would have needed to say to avoid this issue is advise the Canadian Prime Minister or the Canadian people via the news even, that because things are so bad in the U.S. would Canada please understand if those 3M N95 masks remain in the hands of medical professionals in the U.S.

True, oh so true. However, Trump and his supporters want a John Wayne Patriot. America first! Swagger included.

ETA: There's a joke my late husband told me after I bought some cheap toilet paper years ago.

DH - "Don't ever get that toilet paper again."
ME - "Why?"
DH - "Because it's John Wayne toilet paper."
ME - "WHAT?!"
DH - "Yeah, John Wayne toilet paper. It's rough and tough and doesn't take shit off of anyone."
ME - ROFL

[jas]

Is the difference then Republicans want to help all Americans financially during times of crisis and Democrats want to help all Americans during normal times?



I am neither, and I don’t think any party is wrong or evil , I’m not trying to be argumentative, just questioning.
I can see logic on both sides of this financial coin.

I am independent - I don't care for either party nor how this has been handled by both parties. But the difference is that this is a time of crisis. America's needs should be put first, then help with what and where you can. You can not feed a starving child with one spoonful of food and give the rest away.
The situation we're in now is temporary. Socialism isn't.

What do you think about Canada helping the U.S. then?

Let's say you're in a boating accident and there are several people in the water. Some are drowning, some are able to swim but they have injuries. Someone who has an injury helps another who is drowning. Both are hurt, but only one can help. He saves the one who was drowning who then IN TURN helps the one with the injury. That's how I see how countries should help. You shouldn't ask the one who is drowning for immediate help, you do what you can and when they're able, they can in turn help you.
Does that make sense?
Anyone who is able to help, should. Doesn't matter who or where. If the US can, they should. If they can't, they shouldn't be looked down upon for doing what they need to to take care of their own.