By the time you read these words, even more employees at the White House will have tested positive for COVID-19 than detailed in the already-lengthy list this morning from Reason‘s Elizabeth Nolan Brown. What, if anything, does that tell us about the patient-in-chief, his coronavirus polices to date, and the post–Election Day future?
There are vigorous differences of opinion on these questions in today’s Reason Roundtable podcast. Nick Gillespie, Peter Suderman, Matt Welch, and Katherine Mangu-Ward debate tail risk, peaceful transfers of power, erratic behavior, media hyperventilation, local corona-bungling, congressional money-printing, endless lockdowns, and more. The gang also previews this week’s vice presidential debate, explores the Sherlock Holmes–superhero connection, and talks about South Park‘s Pandemic Special.
Audio production by Ian Keyser and Regan Taylor.
Music: ‘City Lights’ by Audiobinger.
Relevant links from the show:
“Here’s Who Has Tested Positive for COVID-19 in Congress and the White House,” by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
“Presidential Disability: A Quick Summary,” by Eugene Volokh
“Will the Senate Have a Quorum to Confirm Judge Barrett?” by Jonathan H. Adler
“Public Disclosure of Presidential Illnesses,” by Jonathan H. Adler
“It’s Way Past Time for the Rest of Us To Get the Same Access to COVID-19 Testing That the Trump Family Enjoys,” by Ronald Bailey
“Conspiracy Theories Abound After Trump Tests Positive for Coronavirus,” by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
“The Post-Pandemic ‘New Normal’ Looks Awfully Authoritarian,” by J.D. Tuccille
“Lockdowns Intended To Preserve Our Health Are Making Us Poorer and Angrier,” by J.D. Tuccille
“Donald Trump Says Joe Biden Is the Candidate of Perpetual COVID-19 Lockdowns,” by Robby Soave
“As Airlines Begin Layoffs, Nancy Pelosi Promises Bailout,” by Eric Boehm
“Scott Barry Kaufman on Narcissists and Libertarians,” by Nick Gillespie
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