I feel torn posting this, but it seems like the US president is truly trying to go against the country's interests at every turn. The only non malicious explanation I can come up with for the covid response is a gamble in the hopes that somehow the economy will tank less if the outbreak is marginalized.

So far: lack of testing, lack of screening at intl airports, lack of quarantine for the latest cruise ship, constantly decrying "it's no big deal". Also influencing the cdc, not letting the actual experts handle the situation, cutting their budget, and telling the head what they can and cannot say in press conferences.

The US is on track to be steamrolled by this disease.

Edit: there are currently only 164 recognized cases, but spread among 19 states, and 110 have unknown cause. Source: cdc, updated March 7.