In a notable departure from the typical Fox News narrative, host Mark Thompson criticized the downplaying of the coronavirus, asserting that it poses a “serious threat.” On his show, he expressed concern over public figures minimizing the situation, stating, “People you trust, and likely voted for, have been underestimating what is evidently a grave issue.” He continued to challenge the idea that it’s merely “partisan politics” and a situation that will simply pass like the flu, emphasizing that some may be oblivious or misinformed, potentially jeopardizing lives.
“They might not realize the severity,” Thompson explained. “Perhaps they’re not fully engaged, or they think they’re serving some greater purpose by distorting reality. With an election approaching, it’s easy to see why they wouldn’t want to say anything that could aid the opposition. But they are mistaken. It’s absolutely not just the flu.”
Despite starting the segment with some controversial remarks, referring to the outbreak as the “Wuhan virus,” which many consider racist, he directed his criticism toward the Trump administration for its dismissal of the potential consequences of COVID-19.
Thompson asserted that the “greatest display of strength” is to “speak the truth” instead of merely comforting the public with false reassurances, adding that “tax cuts and reduced rates” won’t revive an economy if factories and businesses are forced to close to contain the virus.
Up until Thompson’s remarks, many at Fox News had echoed Trump’s narrative of minimizing COVID-19. Recently, host Sean Daniels had Trump on his show, where the president downplayed the virus’s impact, contradicting the World Health Organization’s estimation of a 3.4% death rate based on his “hunch.” Previously, Trump had also labeled the virus as a “hoax” fabricated by Democrats during an election year.
“Our nation is likely to face a challenging period that we cannot avert. While there’s no reason to panic, remaining calm is crucial,” Thompson stated. “In times of crisis, it’s essential to maintain composure.” As of this morning, the death toll in the U.S. had risen to 27, with infections spreading across almost all states. The global death toll surpassed 4,000, with confirmed cases nearing 115,000. States such as New York and California have declared states of emergency due to significant outbreaks.
“Staying calm doesn’t mean being complacent, nor does it entail falsely assuring everyone that everything will be okay. We simply don’t know,” Thompson insisted. “It’s far more effective to convey the truth. That is always the strongest show of strength.”
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In summary, Mark Thompson’s recent comments highlight a significant shift in acknowledging the seriousness of the coronavirus, challenging the narrative of minimization by some political figures. He advocates for transparency and truthfulness during this critical time, stressing that calmness should not come at the expense of complacency.