5/5/2020

My dear DJT,

            How are you doing today? Are you going to wear a mask on your visit to the Honeywell plant in Phoenix? We’re all supposed to be doing that here in Yolo County. While it may be annoying, I do it anyway to be in solidarity with the community. I think you should too, to show the world that you get it.

I’m afraid that lots of people think you don’t “get it.” The LAT says you lack empathy. The Guardian asks, “Will Americans ever forgive Trump for his heartless lack of compassion?” & the Atlantic adds that you don’t have simple kindness. I think they’ve got it wrong. You have it, but you don’t know how to show it.  You want to project a tough guy image, so you hide it.

Since this is something that you need to work on, I encourage you to watch the NYT video analyzing Dr. Amy Acton during the Ohio press conferences. She’s so relatable that FB videos show little girls donning white coats & imitating her. The key is to use the word “acknowledge” to express vulnerability.

After you watch Dr. Amy, check out Jacinda Ardern, who has ushered New Zealand through CV with minimal loss of life by talking about a “revival of kindness” & likening CV to a Tsunami rather than a war. She’s not looking to blame anyone, just trying to help people get through this.

Have you spoken with Mike Dewine, to get his advice on how to minimize the damage of CV? OH has had 975 deaths compared to MI which has had 3500 & OH is bigger than MI. He knows how to be tough AND vulnerable. Maybe it’s his small stature or funny glasses, but whatever it is, he’s got it & you could use some of it.

Finally, here’s a quote from Flo Nightengale from today’s CSM that you can recite, “Remember, he (the ailing person) is face to face with his enemy all the time, internally wrestling with him, having long imaginary conversations with him. You are thinking of something else. ‘Rid him of his adversary quickly’ is a first rule with the sick.”

            HYITL,

            RCA