Had COVID-19 started in the US under Trump's watch...

[redjohn]

With all the criticism of the Chinese response to COVID's first clusters in Wuhan coming from Trump and Pence, I'd like you to imagine this scenario:

The first cases of a strange pneumonia pop up in Dallas (America's ninth most populous city, compared to Wuhan). After several days, health officials begin reporting that there should be major concern over the cases.

How quickly would the federal government have responded to the cases? How many deaths would it have taken before the government began completely locking down the country?

Personally, as someone with family in China I remember seeing the pictures and videos of the roads in and out of Hubei being torn up to halt all transportation in and out of the province. Sealed doors of those who'd recently been to Wuhan. On the other hand, there was a cover-up for a couple weeks to avoid acknowledging the major problem that should also be discussed. But I think with all the blame on China, it's pretty clear from Trump's response to the virus that he would not have acted anywhere near as strongly as China did. I don't doubt that he also would've attempted to engage in some sort of cover-up. I don't know how effective it would've been.

[redjohn]

Weird premise.  Zoonotic viruses (like COVID-19) originate in places where many, many people live in close proximity to a lot of animals.  A very high level of human/animal density is needed for zoonotic transmission of a novel virus.   That's why these diseases (COVID, H5N1, SARS, etc.) originate in the Far East. 

Just considering the hypothetical for the purpose of guessing what the political response would be. Not discussing the origins of a virus.

[redjohn]

If it had started in the US, he'd have probably had a similar weak response unless it started somewhere like San Francisco, in which case I think you can look to Reagan's response to AIDS as something of a precedent for how Trump would have initially responded.

Completely agreed. The US has a horrendous record on handling epidemics, particularly in marginalized communities where the marginalized communities themselves are blamed for contracting illnesses. The homophobic and racist handling of AIDS by Reagan's admin would've probably been a blueprint for any standard Republican administration on handling a disease disproportionately affecting any disadvantaged community.