Morning Jolt: A Time for Honesty

On the menu today: why leaders in the United States — and around the world — need to be honest with the public during this crisis, especially when it's uncomfortable; serious questions about senators' stock sales before the coronavirus hit; the importance of speed when it comes to economic aid; and the end of the era of political leaders as a form of entertainment.

Now Is the Time for Honesty — Even If It Is Uncomfortable

It's difficult to overstate the importance of elected officials and public-health officials being honest with the public about what they see, what they think, what they know, and what they don't know. It is okay for a leader to admit he or his team doesn't know something. It is much preferable to hear uncertainty than to hear something inaccurate. An answer of "I don't know," is honest, and forces people to be prepared for worse scenarios than the present.

Inaccurate statements do far more damage, because that suggests that the leaders don't really know what's going on, or they do know what's going on, and are afraid to tell the public because it's so bad. Forewarned is forearmed.

The report prepared by Imperial ...

WITH JIM GERAGHTY March 20 2020 WITH JIM GERAGHTY March 20 2020 A Time for Honesty On the menu today: why leaders in the United States — and around the world — need to be honest with the public during this crisis, especially when it's uncomfortable; serious questions about senators' stock sales before the coronavirus hit; the importance of speed when it comes to economic aid; and the end of the era of political leaders as a form of entertainment. Now Is the Time for Honesty — Even If It Is Uncomfortable It's difficult to overstate the importance of elected officials and public-health officials being honest with the public about what they see, what they think, what they know, and what they don't know. It is okay for a leader to admit he or his team doesn't know something. It is much preferable to hear uncertainty than to hear something inaccurate. An answer of "I don't know," is honest, and forces people to be prepared for worse scenarios than the present. Inaccurate statements do far more damage, because that suggests that the leaders don't really know what's going on, or they do know what's going on, and are afraid to tell the public because it's so bad. Forewarned is forearmed. The report prepared by Imperial ...   READ MORE

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