It appears that the closing argument from the Trump campaign for his reelection was supposed to be that the Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, was overreacting to coronavirus, making fun, for example, of his insistence on wearing a mask and staying distant from others.
Well as insane as 45 is, I feel better reading then end of your newsletter. But I have been outraged all day at his behavior. For exactly 7 months now my family has been locked down. My husband and I are over 65, our daughter just finished 6 months of chemo, and we are trying to keep our family safe and alive. We see our 4 year old twin granddaughters weekly, in their backyard, from a distance. We can't hug them. We don't go in their house. Our visits are limited to the need for a bathroom trip and by the unrelenting heat wave in Phoenix for months now.
And the miserable, inhuman monster that is our president can't even sit in his hospital room (suite, palace, etc?) until he is no longer contagious? And what has this animal taught his base? That whether you are known to be contagious or not, you are free to go about your business. So much for everyone's hope that this experience might humble and teach him. He is not human. We can't expect anything decent from him.
For God's sake vote and vote blue across the board. And for the sake of all Americans.
On my jigsaw site today was a photo of pumpkins painted blue with the caption: "This Halloween we will be painting our pumpkins blue. We've seen enough orange to last a lifetime." And, another fun photo asked "How are Trump and a pumpkin the same? Answer: They are orange on the outside, empty on the inside, and need to be tossed out in early November!"
I'm with you, Linda. Since March, I have not been able to hug my son, daughter-in-law, or 7-year-old granddaughter (Chloe), nor be allowed inside their house, where I practically lived for the first five years of Chloe's life while her parents worked full time.
I do not condone Trump's behavior regardless of his medicated condition, and I am not sorry he's contracted COVID, which I consider well-deserved justice. I feel so bad for the Secret Service and WH staff, for whom Trump appears not even to see much less consider as long as they silently do what he wants. The Repuglicans' continued silence and extreme focus on skewing the judicial system just infuriates me. I continue to visualize huge NYT headlines in November: BIDEN LANDSLIDE! DEMS KEEP HOUSE AND TAKE SENATE.
Somedays are just too much. We would have lost precious time with family no matter what with the pandemic. But to never see the end of it? I will never forgive 45. The Washington Post has a column today called "Joe Biden's Campaign, Summed Up In One Single Gesture. It is very beautiful and comforting. And I am looking forward to that landslide! You and your family take care.
Watching close-up views of Trump on the WH balcony, it was obvious to me he was REALLY struggling to breathe and suppress coughing. As a voice teacher and one long focused on teaching proper/improper respiration as regards singing, all the signs were there. His breathing was shallow and centered high in the chest, what we call “clavicular breathing” because it is involving the clavicle and external and internal intercostals in the upper rib-cage. It is bad for singing because it creates tension that spreads into the neck and eventually the larynx. It can be detected by the visible tensing of the sternocleidomastoid muscles that extend from the base of the skull on both sides of the neck down to the upper ribs and clavicle. (They’re very easily found as they’re pretty big muscles.) For singing, very low deep breaths into the lowest regions of the lungs and involving the diaphragm and lower body for inspiration, and then the lateral abdominals for expiration, are essentials in classical vocal technique. You could also see his neck and upper chest muscles lock as he was trying desperately to suppress a cough. You can plainly see him wince a few times, since trying to breathe lower is virtually impossible and actually causes pain—people with pneumonia can attest. The lungs simply have severely limited space for air and the diaphragm is prevented from fully moving downward, which it does during proper deep respiration. In other words, he can’t breathe and it is almost like drowning. You can see him fighting his body’s reflexes of the illness, ALL so he can appear strong and invincible. He’ll only be able to do that so many times before he collapses. I should say at this point that I have to avail myself of steroid shots every 3-4 months or so because of severe problems in my spine. They do help settle down my sciatic nerve which is being punished/pinched in my spine, and steroids do help lessen the bad leg pain. I haven’t really noticed any side effects per se, but in my case, I’ll gladly deal with the side effects if it means a few weeks of pain relief. He is on MUCH stronger stuff and I question its use if it impairs his judgement in any way. Anyway…my observations and $.02 based on my profession.
Oh, Bruce. I am so troubled to read of the struggles you are experiencing. I do so hope the mitigation measures you are taking continue to give some relief for a time at least.
I admit I did not observe 45 closely as I hardly watched him at all, but would never have been able to assess the tell he exhibited under your keen eye. Thanks for this detailed explanation.
I truly appreciate your analysis. I was quite sure, in my own way, that he was struggling mightily to breathe and avoid coughing, but your analysis applied clarity to what I saw. I continue to be utterly disappointed that not one single news organization picked up and reported on his obvious difficulty breathing as he stood on the Mussolini Balcony. His fight for breath is material, and it is important, as it's the only empirical evidence we have of his health when he and everyone around him are lying about his health, and quite possibly, about what medications and assistance he's receiving.
Thank you for this explanation. My sympathy for your pain. My late ex-husband had arachnoidosis (sp) .When you have that level of pain you get no euphoria from drugs.
No, not the way he was breathing. It was all centered high and his shoulders are pulling up as well (which I forgot to mention above). When people are out of breath they use more of the whole apparatus to breathe and it is lower. Friends and colleagues of mine who have suffered from asthma spoke up and said he was very clearly showing all the similar breathing motions as an asthmatic. Also, he was noticeably grimacing with some of the inhalations. If one is merely out of breath one usually doesn't grimace in pain. These are all little subtle things that he probably thought would not be noticed since most of the cameras were pretty far off, but telephoto lenses reveal everything. Plus, I'm so used to having to diagnose possible breathing issues for singers so I can spot things an unknowing eye might miss. Trust me, he was gasping, and not just out-of-breath gasping. There was obvious diminished lung capacity going on. But yeah...he is a fat old man, contrary to the virile stud he wants us all to see...*HURL*...
Ooo--I like that last sentence, Bruce! And yes, I saw his breathing. It's familiar to me because my two sisters and I were my mother's 24/7 caregivers for the last years of her life with ALS. Hers was bulbar onset, so the effects, rather than affecting her limbs first, affected her core first--her diaphragm and throat. Her last six months were a struggle to breathe in exactly the same way. We called it chest breathing.
Trump trying to portray the virus as no big deal is infuriating. He has had top notch doctors at his beck and call (not that he's listening to them.) Any medicine in their arsenal is at his disposal. The average American will not have this experience. The average person who is concerned they have COVID-19 first has to beg for a test and sometimes travel over an hour to get tested. And if they do test positive they are told to go home and ride it out. No antibody treatments, no Remdesivir. Basically "call if you your breathing gets too bad and you think you're going to die."
His actions definitely seem manic and desperate. He feels bullet-proof right now, even though his balcony theater says otherwise. Steroids are great medicine, but they exact a huge toll on your body when used for any prolonged amount of time. His doctors will have to wean him off them at some point. Having watched my son weaned off steroids during chemo, it's a bitch. Not to mention, the steroids are to help reduce inflammation in his lungs, but you need to rest and let the healing process begin. Climbing a flight of stairs to rip off your mask like a tough guy only to gasp for air is counterproductive. Mangolini is in for a rough ride. I have zero sympathy for him.
Seven years ago, I received large infusions of steroids to treat transverse myelitis (a rare inflammation of the spinal cord). It felt like I was having rocket fuel injected into my veins, and until it resolved, I couldn't think straight about *anything.* Commenters on various news articles today have correctly pointed out that steroids can cause mania and psychosis. Trump's insanely irresponsible recent behaviors (Sunday's pointless joyride, exposing God knows how many people to the virus for the purpose of stroking his insatiably needy ego) prove that he can't think straight, either. Not that he ever could. I've believed all along that Donald Trump is mentally ill. Now he's high on steroids, AND he has access to the nuclear codes. It is time for a psychiatric intervention. ~Deborah Bagg-Ritt
He could very easily become quite agitated and experience frank psychotic manifestations (e.g. hallucinations) as he comes down off the Dex. It may be scary for those around him...and for the rest of us as well. Keep any nuclear footballs far away from him during his steroid crash.
I was on steroids for two weeks before back surgery. I could not stop talking! It was funny. I doubt if the White House staff think it is funny if that is the way its affecting DT.
I now believe that Trump will not survive to the end of his term. His arrogance and profound insecurity are going to kill him. It is my hope that he lives past the election and Biden is elected by an official, certified margin so large even the Proud Boys have to accept it. Mitch McConnell rides Trump’s coat tails spinning down the drain.
Advice to President-elect Biden; have the White House and West Wing fumigated against Covid 19 before you set foot inside.
With Biden's 8 years as VP, I imagine his staff will be far more efficient and knowledgeable on day one than anyone the Trumpkin hired over the last 4 years.
Your comment, Ralph, about fumigating sparked a query. Normally, transitions involve old administrations interacting with new inside the WH. With this virus in the air, I wonder how this will be accomplished. Also, after thoroughly being fumigated, windows should be opened to air the place out! Yikes.
"Normally, transitions involve old administrations interacting with new inside the WH."
Good point, Lynell, and normally that involves carrying on programs, policies, and initiatives, especially in intelligence and foreign policy, from one administration to the next. The Trump Administration doesn't have any ongoing programs, policies, or initiatives that I can think of, other than Trump talking to Putin once a week or so on the phone. Kushner's deal-making in the Middle East are more business arrangements than foreign policy.
And yes, open those windows! Luckily, the election will have de-loused the place.
I expect that the Biden transition team will spend a lot more time speaking to the "purged" veterans of the Executive Branch than to any of the current occupants of the chairs. Biden's task is to rebuild an effective bureaucracy, not to carry on with Trump's vandalism.
After that, the entire space also needs to be swept meticulously for Russian listening devices planted that time Trump had Russians and no Americans into his office.
I'm guessing that if he does survive, he will be too debilitated to remain as president. Even his enablers in the Senate and in his cabinet positions will recognize that fact and, if he is unwilling to step down, they will likely invoke the 25th Amendment and put Pence in for the remainder of his term.
I think it more likely that Pence will quietly take over, not officially, and Trump will be "handled," if possible, although that would be a long shot. They all seem to be weenies around him.
Watching DT try to breathe on the balcony of the White House, I see someone who is seriously ill and going to get worse as he goes into stage 3 of the disease. So, I suspect/predict Vice President Pence will be sworn in as President when DT gets too incapacitated in a week or two and the 25th Amendment is invoked. Of course, the next chapter would be VP Pence also tests positive for COVID-19. Wouldn't it be delicious if he also becomes incapable of doing the job of President and America gets a Christmas present in President Nancy Pelosi!
On steroids, Trump might already be "seeing" little old men with long white beards, dressed in red coming down the chimney while leaving his sleigh under Rudolf's guard in an Presidential parking spot. For this, has he ever needed drugs?
“Notes from Joe” has a homey feel to it- reminds me of FDR’s Fireside Chats. Lord knows we need some of that reassuring stability about now. I’m looking forward to them.
As a lifelong asthmatic and one who has been hospitalized with pneumonia several times I can guarantee you Donald Trump is struggling to breathe during his homecoming performance. I can also guarantee you the reason he thinks he feels better is because of the IV infusion(s) of dexamethasone which convinced him to do the most ridiculous and dangerous things possible: disembark Marine One, march across the lawn, climb a bunch of steps, remove his mask and pose like a tough guy. Oh, and make a little speech, all the while stressing every cell in his body. Not only is he insane, his advisors, staff and doctors are insane. Unless, of course, they don't care if he wakes on the morrow.
I was going to post this, then deleted it. But in light of reading your comments, Daria, here it is: This may be a bad analogy but: Two weeks ago my horse suffered a severe injury to his jaw making it close to impossible for him to eat. Horses need to constantly eat. Within 24 hours of receiving meds to address the pain and inflammation (dexamethasone was one of the drugs used) he was bright and alert...it was a miracle! But 4 days later after the meds wore off, the pain returned necessitating another round of meds. We are now eight days post-medication and he seems to be pain free but his body still needs time to heal itself.
Trump might like the Steroids "feel" and continue to take them "till the final victory". I would hardly put him in the role George Orwell's horse, Boxer....famed for always saying "I will try harder"! Rather a poor excuse for the pig, Napoleon!
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your boy! I’ve used dex on my guy (my guy is a horse!) too - I do not understand why it’s show legal! Hope he recovers soon.
Thank you, Kathy. We're into day 17 and off meds he's improving steadily.
It is very rare when I resort to drugs for my boys. However, my holistic vet says there are times when you have to use the "big guns." This was one of those times!
If this was another forum, I'd ask you lots of questions about your guy. One thing I will say is these guys have helped me keep my sanity during this ongoing administration and pandemic. I'd like to think it's the same for you. Now, my cats? That's another story!
I got a pandemic puppy! He’s a wild thing at almost 8 months but a definite spark of joy. This past year I have had to put three dogs down, and this spring and summer I lost both my parents. Neither had Covid, but they were victims nonetheless, as my visits were curtailed until they were “actively dying” and in Hospice. It’s been a dreadful year, thank god for the animals and my wonderful husband and kids who’ve gotten us through it.
You have had a heavy load to carry this year along with the nation's ills. So sorry for all of your losses. But happy for your puppy! Can't resist saying if he's a "wild thing" he must make your heart sing! I'll look for you, too, on FB.
I am seemingly angry, at some point, every day when it comes to the antics of this administration. When I watched the President remove his mask and, seemingly, gasp for breath then walk into the White House, maskless, my blood boiled. It boiled for those who work in the White House, not his inner circle, who cook, clean, garden, answer phones, etc. that are subjugated to this callous man. My blood boiled as I thought about my best friend who is COVID positive who doesn't have a team of doctors by her side, who won't receive a cocktail of medications. My blood boiled for the 210,000+ families who had to say good-bye to loved ones yet this President was putting his selfishness and arrogance, once again, on full display. My blood boiled as I sit in quarantine/isolation for 14 days because I was exposed to my best friend a day before she had COVID symptoms yet, I watch those in this administration pay no heed to the CDC guidelines. My blood boiled as I see so many wearing their masks, wanting to protect others and yet this President and his supporters mock masks and proudly show their naked faces. My blood boiled as I thought of those who support this man. My blood boiled as I struggled to understand why those supporters are so in awe of this conman. This is moment in time, all four years of his presidency really, would be considered a horror movie if it weren't real life.
I hope, with every fiber of my being, that this man will be voted out in spectacular fashion on November 3rd!
Thank you for letting me get that off of my chest!
A LOT of us are boiling mad at what is going on. I hate that this man is actually MAKING me hate, something I have always tried expressly not to do. I step back, shut everything off, go sit with my cat, listen to some Mozart. Allowing these miscreants to take up space in my head is something I really try hard not to do. It what they want. They WANT you to be pissed off. If it gets a rise out of you, that's all that matters to them. "Stick it to the libtards..." I just take several deep breaths and calmly move on. FWIW, you are not alone. Come here and bathe in some like-minded opinions. It can help. Hang in there!!
It really is too much, isn't it? I can't get to sleep, then when I do, I wake up at an ungodly hour and can't get back to sleep. My husband yells at the TV all the time. My intake of vino has increased. Every day is worse than the last. Music and a cat sounds good to me so I will need to try that. Maybe some Andrea Bocelli.
Oh...it's a good thing I don't keep wine in the house. After this year, I'd have to check into the Betty Ford Clinic to dry out...
I also lose myself in baseball...or a good book...the key is willfully shutting out the "noise". My 97-year-old mum has become a CNN groupie now...so I have to go to another room.
I hold the GOP responsible. I am no huge fan of either parties (corruption of various types) - but the GOP complicity and cold blooded (antisocial) tactics for the last decade, more craven recently, enrage me every day. Channeling it diligently into action, but lately so many sleepless nights. Really crazy train time. Insanity on international stage.
Early voting started in South Carolina yesterday with unusually long lines reported. While we are unlikely to be blue when the votes are all counted, we are definitely trending purple with a really good chance to defeat Lindsey Graham. I think there is a really good chance even a likelihood the election will be decisive.
Watch the debate between Jaime Harrison and Lindsay Graham. Jaime answers the questions and Lindsay just repeats the same doggerel over and over. It was not even a close contest; Harrison made such a strong impression.
I only saw a bit, but he did do well. The news coverage here in SC has also been positive although Graham still has power so they are hedging their bets.
I split my stimulus money between charity and political campaigns, concentrating on races where it was close and I thought a few $ might make a difference plus campaigns in my own state. Thanks for supporting Jaime and I agree about Kelly.
Jaime is also receiving support from several important business/industry leaders in the state. I was born in Michigan and have relatives there, although I grew up in Florida and lived there a long time before moving to SC. A bit of a gypsy I guess :)
I’m so glad to hear the election is becoming more decisive! I can’t imagine giving your life in service to have it put in jeopardy by the likes of this president. The lies continue, people are unnecessarily put at risk, and dumpty looks like he’s already cracked. I just hope everyone votes, don’t let this coronavirus in chief have even a glimpse of a chance! Thank you, Heather! 💙 🌊
I have a big red welt on my forehead where my palm keeps reflexively smacking me. Trump’s stunt last night - the thing that most annoyed my mother - was purposefully timed to cut into the evening news: “He can’t stand to have the news talk about anyone but him!” (Frankly, I think she was also missing her daily dose of David Muir’s special hunkiness.)
Yesterday, the Orange Menace tweeted this: “Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!” He then went to the White House, climbed up the steps, took off his mask, and posed to show us...how badly he was wheezing and how difficult it is to stand upright when you are sick.
I responded to his tweet: “@realDonaldTrump You, sir, are a dangerous, delusional, poorly coiffed buffoon. Where coronavirus is concerned, it is literally your job to communicate accurate information and model safe behavior. You are not doing your job. #January20MovingDay”
Thank you Heather for the recap. As Trump spirals more out of control I am gaining confidence that our Country will gain control of this impending train wreck. I watched last night's Town Hall and saw the distinct professionalism and authenticity of Joe Biden contrasted by the last 24 hours of "Driving Miss Crazy" and his complete lack of empathy for those he puts in dire straights with his desperate political theater. I was waiting for Trump to raise his arms up in true Eva Peron style to his "people". Maybe that will come later.....
In his mind, he had raised them high and likely could hear the crowds of people, that weren't there. My new name for him is Covita. Incidentally, Patti Lupone had a marvelous tweet last night for him.
That comment of his is both heartbreaking and enraging at the same time. It *appears* that his course of illness was worst case scenario for convincing anyone who doubted it of the severity of this disease. However, he may be sicker than they let on and the course of this virus is notoriously unpredictable. He could still crump and end up on a vent because he is more concerned with photo ops and image than with following sound medical / scientific advice. Remember, he thinks he knows better than all the doctors and scientists, so who do you think is really directing his care?
He says that, but look where he ran when he needed help and drugs. What a weenie. I use the Sign Language alphabet on my forehead (MWL): Mega Wicked Loser when I can't avoid seeing him (TV news) or hear him (radio news).
Our daughter's LTE in the New York Times today pretty much sums up my own disgust at the craven BSing by the White House physician:
"Memo to Dr. Sean P. Conley: Putting an “upbeat” spin on the harsh realities of Covid-19 is how we have lost about 210,000 lives in the United States while a maskless Donald Trump pretended it was all fine. We have gotten used to Mr. Trump’s lies when it comes to practically everything, but from a doctor tasked with informing the American public as the president lies ill in a hospital?
Well as insane as 45 is, I feel better reading then end of your newsletter. But I have been outraged all day at his behavior. For exactly 7 months now my family has been locked down. My husband and I are over 65, our daughter just finished 6 months of chemo, and we are trying to keep our family safe and alive. We see our 4 year old twin granddaughters weekly, in their backyard, from a distance. We can't hug them. We don't go in their house. Our visits are limited to the need for a bathroom trip and by the unrelenting heat wave in Phoenix for months now.
And the miserable, inhuman monster that is our president can't even sit in his hospital room (suite, palace, etc?) until he is no longer contagious? And what has this animal taught his base? That whether you are known to be contagious or not, you are free to go about your business. So much for everyone's hope that this experience might humble and teach him. He is not human. We can't expect anything decent from him.
For God's sake vote and vote blue across the board. And for the sake of all Americans.
On my jigsaw site today was a photo of pumpkins painted blue with the caption: "This Halloween we will be painting our pumpkins blue. We've seen enough orange to last a lifetime." And, another fun photo asked "How are Trump and a pumpkin the same? Answer: They are orange on the outside, empty on the inside, and need to be tossed out in early November!"
He is a Trumpkin.
Pretty seedy too!
I love this! You should have T-shirts printed with this and you could retire!
That is brilliant!
Let’s paint our own pumpkins and put on our porches!
Love it!
I'm with you, Linda. Since March, I have not been able to hug my son, daughter-in-law, or 7-year-old granddaughter (Chloe), nor be allowed inside their house, where I practically lived for the first five years of Chloe's life while her parents worked full time.
I do not condone Trump's behavior regardless of his medicated condition, and I am not sorry he's contracted COVID, which I consider well-deserved justice. I feel so bad for the Secret Service and WH staff, for whom Trump appears not even to see much less consider as long as they silently do what he wants. The Repuglicans' continued silence and extreme focus on skewing the judicial system just infuriates me. I continue to visualize huge NYT headlines in November: BIDEN LANDSLIDE! DEMS KEEP HOUSE AND TAKE SENATE.
Somedays are just too much. We would have lost precious time with family no matter what with the pandemic. But to never see the end of it? I will never forgive 45. The Washington Post has a column today called "Joe Biden's Campaign, Summed Up In One Single Gesture. It is very beautiful and comforting. And I am looking forward to that landslide! You and your family take care.
The same to you! We really are all in this together. I'll look for the WaPo column. I could really use it. Thanks!
Watching close-up views of Trump on the WH balcony, it was obvious to me he was REALLY struggling to breathe and suppress coughing. As a voice teacher and one long focused on teaching proper/improper respiration as regards singing, all the signs were there. His breathing was shallow and centered high in the chest, what we call “clavicular breathing” because it is involving the clavicle and external and internal intercostals in the upper rib-cage. It is bad for singing because it creates tension that spreads into the neck and eventually the larynx. It can be detected by the visible tensing of the sternocleidomastoid muscles that extend from the base of the skull on both sides of the neck down to the upper ribs and clavicle. (They’re very easily found as they’re pretty big muscles.) For singing, very low deep breaths into the lowest regions of the lungs and involving the diaphragm and lower body for inspiration, and then the lateral abdominals for expiration, are essentials in classical vocal technique. You could also see his neck and upper chest muscles lock as he was trying desperately to suppress a cough. You can plainly see him wince a few times, since trying to breathe lower is virtually impossible and actually causes pain—people with pneumonia can attest. The lungs simply have severely limited space for air and the diaphragm is prevented from fully moving downward, which it does during proper deep respiration. In other words, he can’t breathe and it is almost like drowning. You can see him fighting his body’s reflexes of the illness, ALL so he can appear strong and invincible. He’ll only be able to do that so many times before he collapses. I should say at this point that I have to avail myself of steroid shots every 3-4 months or so because of severe problems in my spine. They do help settle down my sciatic nerve which is being punished/pinched in my spine, and steroids do help lessen the bad leg pain. I haven’t really noticed any side effects per se, but in my case, I’ll gladly deal with the side effects if it means a few weeks of pain relief. He is on MUCH stronger stuff and I question its use if it impairs his judgement in any way. Anyway…my observations and $.02 based on my profession.
Oh, Bruce. I am so troubled to read of the struggles you are experiencing. I do so hope the mitigation measures you are taking continue to give some relief for a time at least.
I admit I did not observe 45 closely as I hardly watched him at all, but would never have been able to assess the tell he exhibited under your keen eye. Thanks for this detailed explanation.
Will be rooting for you from now on!
If you look at (I think) Jim Acosta’s video, I think you can see it.
Thanks, Marcy!
I truly appreciate your analysis. I was quite sure, in my own way, that he was struggling mightily to breathe and avoid coughing, but your analysis applied clarity to what I saw. I continue to be utterly disappointed that not one single news organization picked up and reported on his obvious difficulty breathing as he stood on the Mussolini Balcony. His fight for breath is material, and it is important, as it's the only empirical evidence we have of his health when he and everyone around him are lying about his health, and quite possibly, about what medications and assistance he's receiving.
Thank you for this explanation. My sympathy for your pain. My late ex-husband had arachnoidosis (sp) .When you have that level of pain you get no euphoria from drugs.
Thank you
Wow. Incredible analysis. Thanks!
Isn’t it also possible that he is just a fat old man who had just walked up some stairs?
No, not the way he was breathing. It was all centered high and his shoulders are pulling up as well (which I forgot to mention above). When people are out of breath they use more of the whole apparatus to breathe and it is lower. Friends and colleagues of mine who have suffered from asthma spoke up and said he was very clearly showing all the similar breathing motions as an asthmatic. Also, he was noticeably grimacing with some of the inhalations. If one is merely out of breath one usually doesn't grimace in pain. These are all little subtle things that he probably thought would not be noticed since most of the cameras were pretty far off, but telephoto lenses reveal everything. Plus, I'm so used to having to diagnose possible breathing issues for singers so I can spot things an unknowing eye might miss. Trust me, he was gasping, and not just out-of-breath gasping. There was obvious diminished lung capacity going on. But yeah...he is a fat old man, contrary to the virile stud he wants us all to see...*HURL*...
Ooo--I like that last sentence, Bruce! And yes, I saw his breathing. It's familiar to me because my two sisters and I were my mother's 24/7 caregivers for the last years of her life with ALS. Hers was bulbar onset, so the effects, rather than affecting her limbs first, affected her core first--her diaphragm and throat. Her last six months were a struggle to breathe in exactly the same way. We called it chest breathing.
Trump trying to portray the virus as no big deal is infuriating. He has had top notch doctors at his beck and call (not that he's listening to them.) Any medicine in their arsenal is at his disposal. The average American will not have this experience. The average person who is concerned they have COVID-19 first has to beg for a test and sometimes travel over an hour to get tested. And if they do test positive they are told to go home and ride it out. No antibody treatments, no Remdesivir. Basically "call if you your breathing gets too bad and you think you're going to die."
His actions definitely seem manic and desperate. He feels bullet-proof right now, even though his balcony theater says otherwise. Steroids are great medicine, but they exact a huge toll on your body when used for any prolonged amount of time. His doctors will have to wean him off them at some point. Having watched my son weaned off steroids during chemo, it's a bitch. Not to mention, the steroids are to help reduce inflammation in his lungs, but you need to rest and let the healing process begin. Climbing a flight of stairs to rip off your mask like a tough guy only to gasp for air is counterproductive. Mangolini is in for a rough ride. I have zero sympathy for him.
Blessings to you, Sally, and your son.
Thank you, Lynell.
Mangolini!
Had to look up "Mangolini." Lordy...!
I’m so sorry for what you and your son have been through... I will keep you in my heart.
Thank you, Cynthia.
Seven years ago, I received large infusions of steroids to treat transverse myelitis (a rare inflammation of the spinal cord). It felt like I was having rocket fuel injected into my veins, and until it resolved, I couldn't think straight about *anything.* Commenters on various news articles today have correctly pointed out that steroids can cause mania and psychosis. Trump's insanely irresponsible recent behaviors (Sunday's pointless joyride, exposing God knows how many people to the virus for the purpose of stroking his insatiably needy ego) prove that he can't think straight, either. Not that he ever could. I've believed all along that Donald Trump is mentally ill. Now he's high on steroids, AND he has access to the nuclear codes. It is time for a psychiatric intervention. ~Deborah Bagg-Ritt
When he is taken off the steroids, he might crash in a bigly way. Very strongly. The best crash ever.
Maybe some covfefe will help.
He could very easily become quite agitated and experience frank psychotic manifestations (e.g. hallucinations) as he comes down off the Dex. It may be scary for those around him...and for the rest of us as well. Keep any nuclear footballs far away from him during his steroid crash.
You are hysterical! If only this weren't so tragic.
I was on steroids for two weeks before back surgery. I could not stop talking! It was funny. I doubt if the White House staff think it is funny if that is the way its affecting DT.
I now believe that Trump will not survive to the end of his term. His arrogance and profound insecurity are going to kill him. It is my hope that he lives past the election and Biden is elected by an official, certified margin so large even the Proud Boys have to accept it. Mitch McConnell rides Trump’s coat tails spinning down the drain.
Advice to President-elect Biden; have the White House and West Wing fumigated against Covid 19 before you set foot inside.
With Biden's 8 years as VP, I imagine his staff will be far more efficient and knowledgeable on day one than anyone the Trumpkin hired over the last 4 years.
Without a doubt.
That is reassuring. Thank You!
Your comment, Ralph, about fumigating sparked a query. Normally, transitions involve old administrations interacting with new inside the WH. With this virus in the air, I wonder how this will be accomplished. Also, after thoroughly being fumigated, windows should be opened to air the place out! Yikes.
"Normally, transitions involve old administrations interacting with new inside the WH."
Good point, Lynell, and normally that involves carrying on programs, policies, and initiatives, especially in intelligence and foreign policy, from one administration to the next. The Trump Administration doesn't have any ongoing programs, policies, or initiatives that I can think of, other than Trump talking to Putin once a week or so on the phone. Kushner's deal-making in the Middle East are more business arrangements than foreign policy.
And yes, open those windows! Luckily, the election will have de-loused the place.
Silly me! I forgot they didn't have any ongoing programs, etc. Well, now that'll make that part of transitioning easy!
I expect that the Biden transition team will spend a lot more time speaking to the "purged" veterans of the Executive Branch than to any of the current occupants of the chairs. Biden's task is to rebuild an effective bureaucracy, not to carry on with Trump's vandalism.
Yes, this, Carol and Jim.
After that, the entire space also needs to be swept meticulously for Russian listening devices planted that time Trump had Russians and no Americans into his office.
Goes without saying, though best to say it anyway. Also, "meticulously" is key.
Good point
I'm guessing that if he does survive, he will be too debilitated to remain as president. Even his enablers in the Senate and in his cabinet positions will recognize that fact and, if he is unwilling to step down, they will likely invoke the 25th Amendment and put Pence in for the remainder of his term.
I think it more likely that Pence will quietly take over, not officially, and Trump will be "handled," if possible, although that would be a long shot. They all seem to be weenies around him.
Sadly, I'm not holding my breath.
I wish
Maybe the Bidens will have to wait two weeks before they move in. I would.
I was thinking we should invite the British back to burn the White House to the ground, as they did during the War of 1812.
LOL but maybe not so funny?
Watching DT try to breathe on the balcony of the White House, I see someone who is seriously ill and going to get worse as he goes into stage 3 of the disease. So, I suspect/predict Vice President Pence will be sworn in as President when DT gets too incapacitated in a week or two and the 25th Amendment is invoked. Of course, the next chapter would be VP Pence also tests positive for COVID-19. Wouldn't it be delicious if he also becomes incapable of doing the job of President and America gets a Christmas present in President Nancy Pelosi!
The ultimate smack-back for the Republicans, Cathy.
On steroids, Trump might already be "seeing" little old men with long white beards, dressed in red coming down the chimney while leaving his sleigh under Rudolf's guard in an Presidential parking spot. For this, has he ever needed drugs?
Notes From Joe... I guess Letters From an American was already taken.
“Notes from Joe” has a homey feel to it- reminds me of FDR’s Fireside Chats. Lord knows we need some of that reassuring stability about now. I’m looking forward to them.
IF you or anyone else finds out how to subscribe, please let the rest of us know.
Notes from Joe is on the Biden website :
https://joebiden.com/notes-from-joe-intro/#
No subscription needed.
As a lifelong asthmatic and one who has been hospitalized with pneumonia several times I can guarantee you Donald Trump is struggling to breathe during his homecoming performance. I can also guarantee you the reason he thinks he feels better is because of the IV infusion(s) of dexamethasone which convinced him to do the most ridiculous and dangerous things possible: disembark Marine One, march across the lawn, climb a bunch of steps, remove his mask and pose like a tough guy. Oh, and make a little speech, all the while stressing every cell in his body. Not only is he insane, his advisors, staff and doctors are insane. Unless, of course, they don't care if he wakes on the morrow.
I was going to post this, then deleted it. But in light of reading your comments, Daria, here it is: This may be a bad analogy but: Two weeks ago my horse suffered a severe injury to his jaw making it close to impossible for him to eat. Horses need to constantly eat. Within 24 hours of receiving meds to address the pain and inflammation (dexamethasone was one of the drugs used) he was bright and alert...it was a miracle! But 4 days later after the meds wore off, the pain returned necessitating another round of meds. We are now eight days post-medication and he seems to be pain free but his body still needs time to heal itself.
No, Lynell, it's a great analogy. And you're right, a horse's gut needs that hay. I hope your boy feels better soon!
Trump might like the Steroids "feel" and continue to take them "till the final victory". I would hardly put him in the role George Orwell's horse, Boxer....famed for always saying "I will try harder"! Rather a poor excuse for the pig, Napoleon!
Thank you, Daria. So far so good! Ironically, his nickname is G-Man!
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your boy! I’ve used dex on my guy (my guy is a horse!) too - I do not understand why it’s show legal! Hope he recovers soon.
Thank you, Kathy. We're into day 17 and off meds he's improving steadily.
It is very rare when I resort to drugs for my boys. However, my holistic vet says there are times when you have to use the "big guns." This was one of those times!
If this was another forum, I'd ask you lots of questions about your guy. One thing I will say is these guys have helped me keep my sanity during this ongoing administration and pandemic. I'd like to think it's the same for you. Now, my cats? That's another story!
I got a pandemic puppy! He’s a wild thing at almost 8 months but a definite spark of joy. This past year I have had to put three dogs down, and this spring and summer I lost both my parents. Neither had Covid, but they were victims nonetheless, as my visits were curtailed until they were “actively dying” and in Hospice. It’s been a dreadful year, thank god for the animals and my wonderful husband and kids who’ve gotten us through it.
I’ll look for you on Facebook :)
You have had a heavy load to carry this year along with the nation's ills. So sorry for all of your losses. But happy for your puppy! Can't resist saying if he's a "wild thing" he must make your heart sing! I'll look for you, too, on FB.
I am seemingly angry, at some point, every day when it comes to the antics of this administration. When I watched the President remove his mask and, seemingly, gasp for breath then walk into the White House, maskless, my blood boiled. It boiled for those who work in the White House, not his inner circle, who cook, clean, garden, answer phones, etc. that are subjugated to this callous man. My blood boiled as I thought about my best friend who is COVID positive who doesn't have a team of doctors by her side, who won't receive a cocktail of medications. My blood boiled for the 210,000+ families who had to say good-bye to loved ones yet this President was putting his selfishness and arrogance, once again, on full display. My blood boiled as I sit in quarantine/isolation for 14 days because I was exposed to my best friend a day before she had COVID symptoms yet, I watch those in this administration pay no heed to the CDC guidelines. My blood boiled as I see so many wearing their masks, wanting to protect others and yet this President and his supporters mock masks and proudly show their naked faces. My blood boiled as I thought of those who support this man. My blood boiled as I struggled to understand why those supporters are so in awe of this conman. This is moment in time, all four years of his presidency really, would be considered a horror movie if it weren't real life.
I hope, with every fiber of my being, that this man will be voted out in spectacular fashion on November 3rd!
Thank you for letting me get that off of my chest!
A LOT of us are boiling mad at what is going on. I hate that this man is actually MAKING me hate, something I have always tried expressly not to do. I step back, shut everything off, go sit with my cat, listen to some Mozart. Allowing these miscreants to take up space in my head is something I really try hard not to do. It what they want. They WANT you to be pissed off. If it gets a rise out of you, that's all that matters to them. "Stick it to the libtards..." I just take several deep breaths and calmly move on. FWIW, you are not alone. Come here and bathe in some like-minded opinions. It can help. Hang in there!!
It really is too much, isn't it? I can't get to sleep, then when I do, I wake up at an ungodly hour and can't get back to sleep. My husband yells at the TV all the time. My intake of vino has increased. Every day is worse than the last. Music and a cat sounds good to me so I will need to try that. Maybe some Andrea Bocelli.
Oh...it's a good thing I don't keep wine in the house. After this year, I'd have to check into the Betty Ford Clinic to dry out...
I also lose myself in baseball...or a good book...the key is willfully shutting out the "noise". My 97-year-old mum has become a CNN groupie now...so I have to go to another room.
I hold the GOP responsible. I am no huge fan of either parties (corruption of various types) - but the GOP complicity and cold blooded (antisocial) tactics for the last decade, more craven recently, enrage me every day. Channeling it diligently into action, but lately so many sleepless nights. Really crazy train time. Insanity on international stage.
Well, it isn't really the Republican Party anymore; it's the Trump Party (and more party than Party). Huge difference.
Thank you, Bruce!
I also struggle every single day with feelings of extreme anger and disgust.
I pray that you remain healthy following your recent exposure to the coronavirus.
Thank you
How some of my colleagues are managing...for us in the performing arts this is an especially stressful time.
https://contemporarymusicaltheatre.wordpress.com/2020/10/06/coping-with-anxiety-in-the-age-of-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR3bvF5TAvUTLCm9wysD7gM2Iv20dePslXDYGUAXPzmsqSanWg1CUnqebtI
emoleary, you are not alone. 🌹
Thank you. This is why I love this board!
Early voting started in South Carolina yesterday with unusually long lines reported. While we are unlikely to be blue when the votes are all counted, we are definitely trending purple with a really good chance to defeat Lindsey Graham. I think there is a really good chance even a likelihood the election will be decisive.
Watch the debate between Jaime Harrison and Lindsay Graham. Jaime answers the questions and Lindsay just repeats the same doggerel over and over. It was not even a close contest; Harrison made such a strong impression.
I only saw a bit, but he did do well. The news coverage here in SC has also been positive although Graham still has power so they are hedging their bets.
I have been supporting Jamie Harrison.
I've sent him a few dollars and have done some text banking for him
Me too.
Ditto
I have been donating to Jaime for several months now. I live in VA!
I live in California and I’ve also been donating small amounts to him. He was the only grown up in the room during the debate.
I think our Mark Kelly has plenty of money and a good lead over Lying Martha McSally, so I have shifted some money to Jamie.
I split my stimulus money between charity and political campaigns, concentrating on races where it was close and I thought a few $ might make a difference plus campaigns in my own state. Thanks for supporting Jaime and I agree about Kelly.
Donating to Mark, too!
Yaasssss!
Thanks to all sending $$$, Lindsey Graham has to go!!!
It wasn't much, but I'm very happy to be in a position to be able to do that.
Sent some money your way to Jaime Harrison, from Michigan. My son, his wife and grandkids live there. We need someone who will protect, not use them.
Jaime is also receiving support from several important business/industry leaders in the state. I was born in Michigan and have relatives there, although I grew up in Florida and lived there a long time before moving to SC. A bit of a gypsy I guess :)
I’m so glad to hear the election is becoming more decisive! I can’t imagine giving your life in service to have it put in jeopardy by the likes of this president. The lies continue, people are unnecessarily put at risk, and dumpty looks like he’s already cracked. I just hope everyone votes, don’t let this coronavirus in chief have even a glimpse of a chance! Thank you, Heather! 💙 🌊
Hey, Dr. R. Hey, all. My prayers go out to all the essential workers who are involuntarily being exposed to this deadly virus.
Amen.
Yes....
I have a big red welt on my forehead where my palm keeps reflexively smacking me. Trump’s stunt last night - the thing that most annoyed my mother - was purposefully timed to cut into the evening news: “He can’t stand to have the news talk about anyone but him!” (Frankly, I think she was also missing her daily dose of David Muir’s special hunkiness.)
Yesterday, the Orange Menace tweeted this: “Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!” He then went to the White House, climbed up the steps, took off his mask, and posed to show us...how badly he was wheezing and how difficult it is to stand upright when you are sick.
I responded to his tweet: “@realDonaldTrump You, sir, are a dangerous, delusional, poorly coiffed buffoon. Where coronavirus is concerned, it is literally your job to communicate accurate information and model safe behavior. You are not doing your job. #January20MovingDay”
I don’t think he will listen to me.
🤣 Ya think?!
You're much nicer to Donald in your tweets than I am.
Jim, he really should listen to you.
Thank you Heather for the recap. As Trump spirals more out of control I am gaining confidence that our Country will gain control of this impending train wreck. I watched last night's Town Hall and saw the distinct professionalism and authenticity of Joe Biden contrasted by the last 24 hours of "Driving Miss Crazy" and his complete lack of empathy for those he puts in dire straights with his desperate political theater. I was waiting for Trump to raise his arms up in true Eva Peron style to his "people". Maybe that will come later.....
He probably couldn't raise his arms up - too winded and sick!
In his mind, he had raised them high and likely could hear the crowds of people, that weren't there. My new name for him is Covita. Incidentally, Patti Lupone had a marvelous tweet last night for him.
Covita!
“Don’t be afraid of it. You’re going to beat it…. Don’t let it take over your lives.”
Tell that the to families of the 210,000 Americans who have died, you thoughtless fool.
Oh wait, you just did!
That comment of his is both heartbreaking and enraging at the same time. It *appears* that his course of illness was worst case scenario for convincing anyone who doubted it of the severity of this disease. However, he may be sicker than they let on and the course of this virus is notoriously unpredictable. He could still crump and end up on a vent because he is more concerned with photo ops and image than with following sound medical / scientific advice. Remember, he thinks he knows better than all the doctors and scientists, so who do you think is really directing his care?
Remember when he called scientists "confused fortune tellers"? He has zero respect for doctors and thinks he knows more than they do.
I’m just going to sit back and watch how much he REALLY knows ...
He says that, but look where he ran when he needed help and drugs. What a weenie. I use the Sign Language alphabet on my forehead (MWL): Mega Wicked Loser when I can't avoid seeing him (TV news) or hear him (radio news).
Our daughter's LTE in the New York Times today pretty much sums up my own disgust at the craven BSing by the White House physician:
"Memo to Dr. Sean P. Conley: Putting an “upbeat” spin on the harsh realities of Covid-19 is how we have lost about 210,000 lives in the United States while a maskless Donald Trump pretended it was all fine. We have gotten used to Mr. Trump’s lies when it comes to practically everything, but from a doctor tasked with informing the American public as the president lies ill in a hospital?
Alison Daley Stevenson
Waldoboro, Me."
Well said.
I like your daughter's LTE, Eliot.
Don't these doctors know about AMA, Against Medical Advice? As we know, that puts the onus squarely on the shoulders of the patient.