SAN DIEGO — We should all wish President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and White House Senior Assistant Hope Hicks a speedy recovery from coronavirus, which already has killed more than 200,000 Americans. Even as we Jews pray in synagogue each week for the health, safety, and wisdom of our country’s leaders, so too should we include the First Family and the White House staff in our misheberach (healing) prayers.
In offering well wishes to our country’s President and Commander-in-Chief, it makes no difference whether you support the election next month of Joe Biden (as we do, per our editorial on Wednesday) or would prefer the reelection of President Trump.
Whatever our political opinions, we want this country’s adversaries to know that our political battles are internal ones, and that should anyone even consider attacking the United States during this period of confusion, Americans across the political spectrum will rally to the country’s defense.
We also want to demonstrate to each other that notwithstanding our divisions and the lack of civility in the current political discourse, most Americans, deep down, have compassion and empathy for each other.
We know that there will be people, not necessarily Americans themselves, who will try to sow more confusion and discord among U.S. voters during this critical period. The rumors about how and why the Presidential family contracted the coronavirus are multiplying on social media and in private conversations.
That is why we join in calls for transparency and full disclosure as the President and Mrs. Trump — along with Hope Hicks and any other senior members of government who might come down with the virus — are treated for this infection. We also urge close monitoring of the health of Vice President Mike Pence, who might be called upon to serve as acting President, should President Trump’s condition deteriorate to such a point that he cannot make decisions. Behind him, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is next in the line of succession, and we hope her health similarly will be closely monitored.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
We were dismayed to learn the President of the United States had COVID-19. The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) wishes President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, and every American suffering from COVID-19, a full and healthy recovery. We also urge all Americans to do their part to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease that has taken far too many lives. We believe in pikuach nefesh, the sanctity of life, and want to elect those who share this value and will ensure the health and safety of all Americans.
As we grapple with this news and face uncertainty, one thing is clear – the most consequential election of our lifetime is just 32 days away, and we need leadership. That is why we’re doing everything we can to ensure we elect Joe Biden and other Democrats who share our values …
Ron Klein,
Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America
Halie Soifer
Executive Director, Jewish Democratic Council of America
It’s hard to wish this mass of inhumanity well but is it wrong to hope, or even think, that he may learn any humility from this experience? I don’t really think so.